What is signage in printing?

We want to walk you through every step of the process, and that includes staying on the same page with some of our more common industry terms.

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Any materials or images that are used for graphic reproduction. This includes both scanned images and digital designs, and any and all logos, graphics and images used in creating a printed product.

A clear, water-based coating that can provide a high-gloss, matte or satin surface. This helps protect the ink and paper against smudges, scuffs, and scrapes. This can be applied as a flood or in specific areas of the design.

: These sign boards are made of light-weight aluminum material, typically in 0.040 or 0.080 gauge thickness, with optional rounded corners. These are great for both indoor and outdoor use. They can often be seen used for real estate signs, construction signs, and even traffic signage.

Any change made by the customer against the original art provided. These are typically at an additional cost to the customer.

The lining of graphics and text in relation to the various edges of the design canvas.

Generic word for synthetic polymer or plastic. Can be also be referred to as “plexiglass.” As it is both tough and flexible, it can be used for both indoor and outdoor signs.

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Also called business paper, communication paper, correspondence paper or writing paper, this is a category of paper that is most commonly used for writing, printing, or copying. The standard size of paper is 17” x 22”.

When an image is raised up out of the paper without the use of ink or foils. This method is not recommended for intricate designs or detail.

When an image is pushed down into the paper, below the surface. This leaves an indented texture into the paper.

Extra ink or graphics that surpass the trim line to allow for variations in cutting or finishing. This is typically a ⅛” extension of the artwork on all four sides. If artwork goes all the way to the edge, the file needs to include a bleed in the final submitted artwork. This can be referred to as “bleeding off the edge.”

Also known as a raster image, this digital image is composed of a dot matrix with different colored pixels. These are great for websites or digital uses, but typically are not suitable for printing or enlarging. Where possible, bitmapped images and graphic elements should be avoided.

The method of securing and combining multiple sections of a document together and/or fastening them with a cover, to form a singular copy of a book(let). This also typically encompasses collating, folding and trimming.

In the United States and Canada, this is the weight of a ream of paper (500 sheets) cut to the basic size, in pounds of a particular paper grade. This could also be called grammage or ream weight.

The standard size sheet of paper used to calculate basis weight (applies to both the United States and Canada).

Vinyl that can be used in both indoor and outdoor applications. May be single or double-sided. Welding, pole pockets, grommets, and wind slit can be added.

Coming in a wide variety of styles and sizes, banner stands are used to hold a banner or sign that is self-contained in a base that the sign material rolls back into. These are great for events, trade shows, and other portable display needs. Extremely portable and quick to set up.

Lightweight, durable mesh banner material; typically polyester. These are great for areas where wind would be an issue (such as attached to a fence or on an extremely large surface) to reduce resistance. They can be welded, webbed, grommetted and pole pockets can be added to any size.

The distribution of the visual weight of objects, colors, texture, and space; an overall distribution of the composition’s visual weight.

Semi-transparent polyester or polycarbonate film that is best utilized in illuminated advertising. Also called “light box film,” this matte material is lit from behind to show colors and contrasts in their most vibrant light.

A durable outdoor ground material that is great for asphalt, brick, and concrete. It has extremely strong adhesion and an aggressive print texture to add additional grip.

The portion of artwork that is furthest from the eye, in which the artwork is imposed on top of.

In signage, this is when a sign has faces in opposite directions. Directional signs are typically back to back. This could also be called “double-faced” signage. In printing, this is when the print is applied to both sides of a sheet of paper or stock.

This is the back of an envelope that folds or hangs down in the back, used to seal the envelope by covering the open portion. While these are typically blank, these can be printed if needed.

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The process of eliminating a portion of the finished piece as indicated by the crop marks.

Marks at the edge of a printed sheet to indicate where the design should be trimmed in the finishing process. These can also be called cut marks or tic marks.

Cover weight papers are thicker stocks used for printed products such as posters, menus, folders, booklet covers, and much more.

Most commonly used for temporary outdoor signage, this corrugated plastic board can be printed single or double-sided. Available in both 4mm and 8mm thickness. These are typically displayed with H-stands.

Any typed material, art, photos, design, to be used on a printed piece.

A finishing method of cutting around the outer edge of a design, typically following the contour of the design itself.

To organize printed materials in a specific order as requested by the customer. Typically, these are in sets sorted alphabetically or numerically.

A bindery method that takes a durable plastic coil, resembling a long spring, that is twisted through small holes punched on the book(let)’s spine. Can also be called spiral binding.

A paper finishing process consisting of clay, white pigment, and binder where the paper is covered in the desired finish to provide a smooth surface.

Paper with any kind of coating that improves reflectivity and ink that is applied after the paper is made to provide a smooth finish. The most common coating options are gloss, matte, satin, dull.

An abbreviation for Cyan (blue), Magenta (Pink/Red), Yellow, and Black. These are the four process colors a digital printer uses to create all other colors. Any artwork should be submitted in CMYK color format to avoid changes in color when printing.

A three-dimensional letter created out of a channel where a light source (such as a neon tube or LED strips) are inserted.

Often called a cloth bind, edition bind, hard bind, or hard cover, this bindery method uses glue to hold a binder board case around a printed product. This is commonly seen in “coffee table” type books.

A cotton, linen, or synthetic material that is heavy in weight with a firm weave. This material is great for digital art reproductions.

An abbreviation for “Coated Two Sides,” which means the paper is coated with a protective gloss, matte or finish on both sides of the sheet.

An abbreviation for “Coated One Side,” which means the paper is only coated with a protective gloss, matte or finish on one side of the sheet.

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Also known as double-sided printing, this is a term used when artwork is printed on both sides of the paper.

This removable, low-tac adhesive material can be printed on both sides so as to see the artwork on either side of a window or between two panes of glass. This is an 80/20 mesh pattern, meaning 80% of the material is solid and the other 20% is small holes cut out to provide visibility. This can also be referred to as Second Surface Perforated Vinyl.

This pressure sensitive adhesive backed vinyl material can be written on with dry-erase markers—making it great for home, office, and education usages. This material can be printed directly on. Also known as whiteboard vinyl.

A hole drilled into paper for bindery. Also known as a punch or hole punch. Holes can be drilled in a wide variety of sizes and endless positions.

DPI, or Dots Per Inch, refers to the number of printed dots contained in one inch of an image printed by a printer. To ensure a high-quality print, images, files, and graphics should be at least 300 DPI or higher. Also reference PPI for digital-only images.

Also known as DTG, this is a printing process where specialized aqueous inks are printed/sprayed directly onto a garment or textiles via ink jet technology. This is most common with T-Shirts and is a great solution for designs that have more than ~6 colors.

Also known as advertising mail, direct mail is advertising sent directly to prospective or existing customers through the mail via USPS. Lists to mail to can either be provided by the client or purchased with a wide range of targeting specifications.

A bindery method of cutting material into a specific shape or design by using a wooden die or block in the shape of the desired pattern. These are typically unusual shapes being cut out.

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A technique that uses a machinable needle and thread to decorate fabric with a designated design or logo. Also known as stitching.

The process of pressing an image or design into paper, so it lies above the surface of an already printed sheet, by an uninked block or die.

This bulk mailing option allows customers to choose mailing routes and target all residential and/or business addresses in that route to send mail pieces to.

Also known as PIP’s Online Ordering Portal, EasyDocs is PIP Metro Indy’s customer self-service portal where pre-setup customers can access their templates, files, and online order history to place new orders.

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The service a vendor provides to print, store, collate, assemble, package, ship, and print/produce promotional products. This also refers to completing and filling an order.

An adhesive material that is suitable for any flat surface (such as concrete floors, tile, wood, counters, etc.) with an anti-slip surface. The adhesive backing keeps the mat in place without leaving residue on the surface, and can withstand daily cleanings.

This is a method of printing that releases a foil onto a product with a heated die. This is also referred to as block printing, hot foil stamping and stamping.

This is a dense foam material that is pressed between two sheets of thick matte paper. This is a stable, extremely lightweight material that stays rigid when displayed. Due to it’s lightweight nature, it can be easy to damage. Designs can either be printed or mounted onto this material for display.

The process of printing a sheet completely covered with ink or a varnish. This could also be called “painting the sheet” when it is a full coverage of ink.

This is a classification of bulk mailing with 500 or more identical mail pieces that has already been presorted using a USPS approved software to earn discounted rates on postage. This mailing category is prioritized by the USPS for faster delivery and includes forwarding and return services.

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The space between the design in a frame or book, or the inside margin towards the spine or binding edge.

Also called eyelets, these are small metal or plastic rings that are inserted into a hole and sealed with another piece of metal or plastic. It prevents fraying and is great for inserting rope or hanging the printed piece. These are most typically found on banner materials, but can be added to numerous substrates.

This is paper that has fibers running parallel to the short dimension of the sheet. This is also referred to as short grain paper or wide web paper.

This is paper that has fibers running parallel to the long dimension of the sheet. This is also referred to as long grain paper or narrow web paper.

The primary direction of the paper fibers that are aligned during paper manufacturing. This could also be referred to as machine direction.

A sheet of paper with a shiny finish that creates a smooth and glossy appearance. Glossiness can vary on paper manufacturer and stock selection, from low-level gloss to ultra-high gloss.

A sturdier material than standard Foamcore, this is a polystyrene, extremely dense foam core in between two matte paper faces. Lightweight, durable, and great for indoor usage.

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Most often used for temporary outdoor signage, these metal wire stands are inserted into the vertical flutes of a Coloplast sign at one end and into the ground on the other end. They come in both standard and heavy-duty weights. These are also called step stakes, yard stakes or U-stakes if they are for heavy-duty usage.

When a document or sign is printed head to toe, the top of the front side is placed on the opposite end of the back side sheet.

When a document or sign is printed head to head, the top of the front side is placed at the same end of the sheet as the back side. This is the most common way to print two-sided products.

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A marking on a bulk mail piece that indicates the postage has been prepaid by the sender. This takes the place of a stamp or postage meter imprint. Typically, this is printed directly on the mail piece.

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An aluminum composite that is created from two thin sheets of aluminum that is encasing a polyethylene core. These are typically 0.15mm aluminum edges with a 2.7mm polyethylene core (total of ~3mm thick), used for both indoor and outdoor applications.

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Ideal for printed wall graphics, this 10 oz. matte adhesive material is similar to fabric/wallpaper and can be re-positioned, removed, and reapplied as many times as needed. This material sticks great to indoor finished drywall, plaster and panels.

A cutting technique for paper, signage, and promotional products where a laser is utilized to away designated unmasked areas of the product. This is very common for metal products such as metal pens or metal tumblers and cups.

A thin transparent plastic sheet that is applied to a printed material that provides protection against liquid and heavy use. These provide a high gloss finish with an accent on the existing color of the piece.

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This is the measure of paper thickness. One mil is equal to a thousandth of an inch.

A sheet of paper with a flat, non-glossy or dull finish on a sheet of paper. This can also define any non-glossy, flat looking paper stock.

When a sheet of transfer tape or other removable tape is applied on top of a weeded vinyl image to assist in removing the vinyl from the backer and help attach it to its final placement.

This is a classification of bulk mailing with 200 or more identical mail pieces that has already been presorted using a USPS approved software to earn discounted rates on postage. This mailing category doesn’t include forwarding and return services, and is generally not prioritized by the USPS, so it is often slower to arrive to its destination.

The space between the lettering, graphics or design elements of a print or signage product.

This is a list of names and addresses to people who will be receiving your marketing and advertising materials, usually on a regular basis. This is typically provided in a .CSV file to print from.

This process combines names and addresses from a database, spreadsheet or other form of structured data onto a mail piece to mass print and/or mail a mail piece. This could also encompass merging information onto a letter, document, or other printed product with standardized information that will be sent out in bulk.

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Also known as carbonless copy paper or non-carbon copy paper, this stock is a coated sheet created to transfer information written on the front page onto sheets underneath. This can come in numerous parts and uncollated, forward and reverse collations.

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Any quantity of printed materials over the ordered amount; a surplus of copies printed. These are typically built into the price to account for printing errors, cutting discrepancies and finishing samples. A discrepancy of a 10% over or under run from the ordered amount is an industry standard.

This removable, low-tac adhesive material is great for displaying logos and images on cars, trucks, and commercial and retail window displays. This can come in either 50/50 or 70/30 mesh pattern visibility, meaning 50% or 70% (respectively) of the material is solid and the other 50% or 30% (respectively) is small holes cut out to provide visibility. This can also be referred to as perforated vinyl, perforated window decal, window privacy vinyl or One Way Vision.

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This plastic substrate is available in 3mil or 6mil thickness. It’s smooth surface, dent-resistant, waterproof qualities make it great for both indoor and outdoor usage. It can also be used to create carved signs or custom cut letters. It could also be referred to as its brand name, Sintra, or it’s technical name: polyvinyl chloride.

A mockup or prototype that provides a near-accurate representation of how the design or product will look when it is completed. Digital proofs might not be to scale or 100% color accurate, but physical, printed proofs can also be provided. This could also be called a repress or sample.

Promotional products are any branded, tangible merchandise with a company logo or slogan designed to increase brand awareness. These could also be referred to as promo products, swag, tchotchkes, freebies, or promo handouts.

This is the imposed position of pages based on how many pages are in the publication. These are not in consecutive order, but rather in the order that when the document is printed, trimmed and assembled, all pages are consecutive.

An abbreviation for pixels per pinch, this is the number of pixels contained within one inch of an image displayed on a computer monitor. To ensure a high-quality print, images, files, and graphics should be at least 300 PPI or higher. Also reference DPI for printed images.

A white, rigid, smooth surface plastic that can be printed on as a flat substrate or molded into objects and shapes to create signs. This is most often recommended for indoor usages, with single-sided printing being preferred as the material is slightly translucent.

A rigid, smooth surface that is built with corrugated air pockets in the center (also known as a bubble core) making it extremely lightweight but excellent with support and durability. This smooth surface prints without any texture.

In reference to paper, a measurement unit equal to 1/72 of an inch. There are 12 points to a pica and 72 points to an inch.

Refers to the Pantone Matching System, this is a universal color matching system used for printing to ensure the selected color will be exactly the same every time, no matter the printer or substrate. This could also be referred to as Pantone Colors or Spot Colors.

A phenomenon in bitmap images that results from insufficient resolution or over-enlargement. Individual pixels become visible – especially on the edges of objects – creating a stair-stepped or jagged look.

A line of small dotted holes for the purpose of tearing off a part of a printed product. These are typically straight lines, either vertical or horizontal.

A bindery process that involves binding sheets that have been ground at the spine and are held to the cover by glue. Also called adhesive bind, cut-back bind, glue bind, paper bind, patent bind, perfecting bind, soft bind and soft cover.

This is an encompassing name for any specialty paper that has a shiny, light reflecting finish that is almost iridescent or pearlescent due to mica crystals embedded in the stock.

A versatile, lightweight, durable foamed PVC sheet that can be used for both indoor and outdoor applications that is long-lasting. It is rot, yellowing and split resistant, requires no pre-drilling near edges when nailing and comes in a smooth, white finish that can be printed on.

This 32pt uncoated stock is slightly thicker than a standard credit card, with colored outside edges on the stock. Available in a wide variety of colors, this stock is also known as “colored edge” or “color core.”

Documents are adhered together with padding adhesive (glue) to create sets of paper; great for message pads, notepads, paper forms and more. For NCR stock, fan-apart padding adhesive is used to create individual, multipart sets for the carbonless stock.

in an Adobe program or other design software, all necessary fonts, linked graphics, elements, and more are compiled into a folder. This folder should be sent over for printing, as it contains all elements needed for a high-quality printed piece.

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Processing and completing any order faster than the standard, pre-determined turnaround time. This often comes with a fee to ensure the job is completed by a designated timeline or due date.

A finishing technique for printed materials. Most often used on business cards or nametags, standard round corner sizes are: ½” (0.5”), ⅜ (0.375”), ¼” (0.25”), and ⅛” (0.125”). These could also be called “radius corners.”

The process of reviewing, loading and setting up files to print on a digital printer.

Also known as a pop-up banner or display banner, these are banners that are mounted into a retractable stand can display a vinyl banner at various heights. They are typically printed with a 13 oz. vinyl that is durable and curl-resistant. These are most often used at tradeshows, in front offices, political campaigns, etc. but have an extremely wide use-case. They are lightweight and can easily be moved or shipped.

The number of dots/pixels per unit of measure to form an image. This is calculated per inch. Proper printing resolution calls for 300 dpi (dots per inch) at 100% of the final size. This number should always be kept in scale.

A material finish that allows light to bounce back to their source. An example of this material in use is with a street sign, where the light is reflected back from the car headlight to the driver.

This is a pair of facing pages, typically the left and right pages of a publication. These are consecutive pages in the correct order for someone to read the document. An example of page order in a reader’s spread is: 1, 2/3, 4/5, 6/7, etc.

Also known as bitmap, these are files that are compiled of pixels with unique color information to create an image. Since raster files are pixel based, they are resolution dependent and can’t be drastically resized without compromising their resolution. This can cause files to become blurry or pixelated. Common file types include:

A technique that builds up a UV coating on designated areas of the design that you can see and feel. The UV ink layer is about 50 microns higher than the stock, so you can feel your designs similar to an embossed card. This could also be called 3D Spot UV or Sculpted Spot UV.

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• Saddle Stitch:

  A bindery process where sheets are stapled together where they fold at the spine. This could also be called a pamphlet stitch, saddle wire or a stitch bind.

• Safety Zone:

  This is the area of a design where all the important elements must be kept inside (text, images, logos, etc.). There should be a ⅛” (0.125”) border or margin on all 4 sides from the edges where the critical elements are kept inside to avoid cutting them off during finishing. 

• Sans Serif:

  Any font that does not have extending features called “serifs” (or feet) at the end of the strokes. These are often used to display simplicity, modernism, minimalism, or a “clean look.”

• Satin Stock:

  A coated stock that has a smooth, slightly reflective, semi-gloss finish. It’s less shiny than a gloss stock, but not as flat as a matte stock. This could also be referred to as a Silk Stock.

• Scaling:

  The enlargement or reduction of an image, copy, logo, etc. to fit into a designated area or to create the file into a certain size.

• Scoring:

  Impressions or cuts made in flat materials to help with bending or tearing. Score lines are often used on heavier stocks when the finished piece folds to avoid the spines cracking or looking ragged.

• Screen Printing:

  Also known as silk-screening, this is a technique that creates a picture, pattern, logo, etc. into a mesh screen and the image is forced through with ink or metal onto the surface of the screen. This is a process often used in creating custom t-shirts, but this process is used for a wide variety of mediums.

• Second-Surface:

  The process of printing or mounting material onto the backside of a clear substrate, such as glass or acrylic. The artwork will be mirrored or reflected to adhere to the backside of the material, so it will be seen in the correct orientation when mounted or displayed.

• Serif:

  A small line or stroke at the end of a larger stroke in a letter or symbol. When referred to typefaces, this encompasses font that include these strokes or lines on the letters, symbols, or characters. 

• Set-Up:

  In reference to additional charges, set-up fees typically include the cost associated with the creation of a die, plate, screen, or other element that is needed to create a custom-branded product. 

• Short-Run:

  This is a style of printing that uses digital equipment to create small quantities or “test” quantities of products. This could also be a reference to any printed quantity less than 1,000 finished pieces. PIP will determine whether your print job should be on a digital machine or an offset press based on your project’s specifications.

• Signage:

  The design or use of signs and symbols to communicate a message or display information to a designated audience. This is a general term to define messaging that promotes, identifies, provides information, gives direction, raises safety awareness, etc.

• Spine:

  The back or outside edge of a book, where the pages are gathered and bound.

• Spot Color:

  This is a universal color matching system used for printing to ensure the selected color will be exactly the same every time, no matter the printer or substrate. This could also be referred to as Pantone Colors or PMS (Pantone Matching System) Colors.

• Spot UV:

  A clear, shiny, high-gloss UV coating applied to specific areas of the artwork. It can also be referred to as spot gloss or spot varnish. 

• Stand-Offs:

  A small piece of hardware used to mount signs through drilled holes. These often consist of a barrel, cap, wall screw and anchor to hold the sign securely to the surface it is being mounted on. 

• Step and Repeat:

  The process of generating multiple copies of an image or logo and “stepping” it across a design according to a predetermined layout or pattern. This is most commonly seen in backdrops and could also be called a press wall.

• Sublimation:

  A digital printing process that uses heat transfer to apply an image from a sublimation paper to a textile substrate. This is great for full color images on apparel or even on fabric signage. 

• Substrate:

  A surface where the graphics are applied to. This is all encompassing and could apply to plastics, metals, vinyls, banners, fabrics, papers, glass, and much more.

• Suede Stock:

  A matte laminated stock that has a smooth, velvet-like feel. This luxurious stock is very thick and has a matte-like finish that does not reflect much light.

• Synthetic Stock:

  A paper made from synthetic polymers that is water-resistant, tear-resistant, weatherproof, anti-microbial, and extremely durable. This material can be digitally printed and is great for menus, name badges, labels, and much more.

What is signage in printing?

Printing & Signage Term Glossary