Fine Print Knowledge Center
The online guide to print and design.
- Object
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An element that consists of both data and procedures that can be treated as a unit.
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- Object-Oriented Files
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Files that use a combination of data structure and functions to create a reusable file.
Various software packages can be used to manipulate these objects to create special effects
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- Object-Oriented Software
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Software built using libraries of reusable, extendible and configurable code objects rather than using procedural or algorithmic coding.
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- Oblique
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Term used for typefaces that slope forwards.
Such fonts usually serve as a substitute for a non-existent italic version of the typeface in question.
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- Oblique Type
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Type that slants to the right. Used to bring attention to the message.
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- OCR
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Optical Character Recognition
The system that permits an optical scanner to translate printed text into a form that can be read by the computer.
The file can then be edited using a word processor.
There are two specially designed typefaces used for OCR applications; OCR-A and OCR-B.
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- OCR Paper
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Paper that has been manufactured to meet the requirements of the optical character requisition equipment utilized to read and record the characters printed on the paper.
Properties of this stock generally include a higher level of brightness for contrast with printed characters, dimensional stability and resistance to curl.
It requires stronger fiber bonding to resist picking or surface deterioration from ink.
It contains low levels of surface particles and has a high level of resistance to moisture penetration.
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- OCR Read Area
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The area or section of an envelope or card where the delivery address must be located for automated processing.
Nondelivery address printing in this area must be kept above the delivery address line.
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- Octal
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Refers to the base-8 number system.
It uses only 8 unique symbols, which are: 0,1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
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- Octavo
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Refers to the size of a Book; the most common book size since the early 17th century, an octavo book averages about 6” x 9”.
The term originally referred to the number of folds (8) in a standard book-printing sheet, but it now commonly refers to size.
Also see 8vo
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- OD
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- ODA
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Open Document Architecture
An interchange standard for multi-media documents so that they can be exchanged between conforming computer systems and preserve the original layout of the document.
The documents can also be edited and reformatted.
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- ODBC
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Open Database Connectivity
A standard method of accessing a database that makes it possible to access data from any application, regardless of what type of database system is handling the data.
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- Odd Sizes
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Paper sizes, rolls and sheets, that are not a standard size offered by paper manufacturers and distributed by paper merchants.
As an example, a 17” x 22” sheet is a standard base stock size stocked by paper merchants. It would produce 4 sheets of a standard 8 1/2” x 11” cut sheet size.
If a non-standard cut sheet size of 8 1/4” x 10 was required, a non-standard base stock size of 16 1/2” x 20” would be needed to produce 4 sheets. Both the 8 1/4” x 10 cut sheet and the 16 1/2” x 20” base stock size are odd size sheets.
If an odd size sheet or roll is required, it may be more economical to use a larger standard size and dispose of the waste than to special order the odd size.
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- ODL
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Open Document Language
Clear text encoding, that is SGML based, used to represent and process documents developed in accordance with ODA
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- ODMA
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Open Document Management API
An association formed to provide a common API that would help document management applications integrate with common desktop applications.
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- ODT
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Optical Deterrent Technology
A technology using a patented security screen that discourages attempts to duplicate secure documents on copiers or scanners.
Like a void pantograph when photocopied, the word “VOID” appears.
Differing from the void pantograph in that ODT works effectively when copied by most any black and white copier, color copier or scanner.
It does not have to be used with a pantograph background, which allows for a cleaner looking document and better legibility on documents that are text intensive.
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- OE
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Outer Envelope
The mailing envelope that will hold all the mail pieces of a package.
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- OEB
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Open E-Book
A group that aims to promote electronic books (e-books) by defining a standard for their format.
Under the name Open E-Book Publication Structure, the group of manufacturers known as the Open E-Book Authoring Group published the first standard of this kind in September 1999.
It is designed to allow publishers to release their publications in a format that can be displayed by all e-book readers.
The HTML and XML formatting languages are the technical basis for this specification.
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- Off Mode
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A setting on a digital camera that allows the flash to be deactivated while the shutter is opened for a longer exposure allowing more natural light to enter.
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- Off-Machine Coating
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Coating paper on a coater that is not part of the paper machine.
The coating may be done in the same facility or sent to a separate location to be coated.
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- Off-Press Proof
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A color proof that represents the finished product but has not been printed on the press.
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- Off-The-Film Metering
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A meter which determines exposure by reading light reflected from the film during picture-taking.
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- Offline
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1. When accessing data on a computer, the data being accessed is not directly connected to the computer.
2. When printing on a press, there are some special features that cannot be done on the press. Features of this type will have to be accomplished by a separate operation, offline from the press.
Some offline features could include perfing, punching, folding, affixing, or adding computerized data.
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- Offprint
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An excerpt of a larger publication that has been printed and bound separately for promotional purposes.
For example, publishers will print and bound a chapter of a book to send to booksellers or for the author to give away before the entire book is published.
Scholarly excerpts are another example; a portion of a large journal piece printed for a professor to distribute.
Offprints are highly sought after by collectors because, technically, they can be considered a first separate edition of the work and will often have a presentation inscription.
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- Offset
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The light image of transferred ink or an imprint that comes from an adjoining text page or illustration, or an inserted paper.
This transference is not done on purpose and can be caused by humidity, acid from the inserted paper, or wet ink when a book was bound.
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- Offset Duplicator
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- Offset Gravure Conversion
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A process using screened offset films as originals for the production of gravure printing forms.
The particular advantage of this method is that proofs can be made using offset films rather than employing a high-outlay preparation process on a gravure printing press.
This is possible because the tonal value reproduction of the offset originals corresponds with that of the gravure product.
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- Offset Lithography
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A lithographic printing process based on the different wetting characteristics of the printing and non-printing areas of the printing form.
When printing, the lipophile or “oil-friendly” image areas absorb the oil-like printing ink and the blank hydrophile areas repel it.
Offset printing works is an indirect printing procedure in that the printing form transfers the printing image onto a blanket cylinder, which in turn prints the paper or other material.
There is a distinction between sheetfed offset and web (or rotary) offset printing. The former prints on paper sheets and the latter on a paper web.
Also referred to as Offset Printing
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- Offset Paper
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Paper that has been manufactured with properties that make the paper suitable for offset printing.
Some of the properties include dimensional stability, resistance to curling, high surface strength a surface free from foreign particles and a high level of resistance to moisture penetration.
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