Fine Print Knowledge Center
The online guide to print and design.
- Parchment Finish
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A paper finish that has an old or antique appearance. Parchment is very durable and grease resistant.
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- Parchment Paper
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Paper with a parchment finish.
Parchment is used on documents such as diplomas and other certificates. It gives the document a look of importance.
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- Parent Size
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The full size of a sheet before any cutting or trimming is done.
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- Parse
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Dividing a programming command into small components to translate its meaning.
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- Part
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- Part Issues
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Novels that are published in separate installments, typically in a magazine or journal.
Works of many popular writers of the 19th century, such as Charles Dickens, were published in parts.
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- Partial Metering
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Light is measured in a small circular area around the center of the image.
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- Password
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A code used to login to a secure system.
Using a combination of letters, numbers and characters makes a good password.
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- Paste-Up
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The manual placement of text, illustrations and other layout elements on an art board to produce camera-ready artwork.
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- Pastedown
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The half of the endpaper that is pasted to the inside cover of a book
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- Pastelling Emboss
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A process that involves the use of a combination die to provide a subtle antique appearance to material being foil stamped and embossed.
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- Patch
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A small amount of computer code that is written to fix a problem in a production version of software that was not detected before the software was released.
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- Path
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The route an operating system takes to find executable files that it is unable to find in the working directory.
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- Pathname
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The sequence of directory and subdirectory names that identifies the path to a file.
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- Pattern Adhesive
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Adhesive that is applied to the back of the facestock in a pattern opposed to an all over coat of adhesive.
The adhesive coated areas can run parallel or perpendicular to the web direction.
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- Pattern Carbon
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Carbon paper that has had the carbon coating applied only in certain areas so that an image will only transfer in those particular areas.
Also called spot carbon.
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- Pattern Varnish
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Varnish applied to the printed product in a specific area or pattern opposed to an all over coat.
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- PC
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Personal Computer
A PC is a microcomputer whose price, size, and capabilities make it suitable for personal usage.
The term was popularized by Apple Computer with the Apple II in the late-1970s and early-1980s, and afterwards by IBM with the IBM Personal Computer.
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- PC Card
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A storage device that slides in or out of a digital camera and is used to store images.
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- PCF
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Packaging Control File
A step and repeat workflow file format used in editing programs to provide a more efficient process for automating the duplication of a single image two or more times on press plates.
Conventional step and repeat processes transfer high resolution data to a RIP by sending the same “one-up” image file 2 or 3 times depending on the “number up” to be printed on the sheet, resulting in large data files that are slow for the RIP to process.
The PCF file saves RIP processing time and memory storage space by storing only the repeat elements (fold marks, cut marks, images, etc.) in the PCF and linking them to single or multiple RIPed elements or high-resolution files.
As the RIPing output occurs, the links are translated on the fly and converted, thus conserving storage space and RIPing process time.
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- PCL
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Printer Command Language
The language used to control computer printers.
Introduced in the 1980s by computer manufacturers Hewlett-Packard and under constant development ever since, PCL allows application programs to control the functions of different printers in a standardized, efficient manner.
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- PCX
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eProduction eCommerce eXchange
A standard established for the development activities of organizations building applications for supply-chain, e-commerce, marketplace, production, and related systems to enable information to be exchanged and flow effectively between participating partners.
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- PDA
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Personal Digital Assistant
A hand held device that can function as a personal organizer, cell phone and fax sender. A stylus (pen like tool) is used for input rather than a keyboard.
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- PDF
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Portable Document Format
Data format developed by Adobe Systems Inc. and used for exchanging and processing electronically stored, formatted documents with text and images, independent of hardware or software.
This makes it possible to send a formatted document to a computer screen or printer and have it look exactly the way in which it was created.
One of the special features of the format is that texts and graphics are stored in vector form, meaning that the resolution of their representation is dependently solely on the output device (monitor, printer).
You need Acrobat Reader to read PDF files.
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- PDF/X
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Portable Document Format/X
A set of rules which determine which PDF features are allowed. PDF/X defines what is allowed in the PDF document so the printer will know what to expect when he receives the file.
This ensures reliability and makes it easier to work with and transfer PDF documents.
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- PDF/X-1
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Portable Document Format/X-1
A file format which contains all the content, such as text, graphics and image elements, and technical information needed for final print production.
Nothing needs to be supplied alongside the PDF/X-1file.
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- PDL
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Print Description Language
A formatting language that describes the layout of text and graphics on a page so that it can be reproduced on a printer or other output devices.
Page Description Language
A formatting language that describes the layout of text and graphics on a page so that it can be reproduced on a printer or other output devices.
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- PE
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Polyethylene
This film is tear, abrasion and weather resistant and is high in durability.
It shrinks at low a temperature range.
PE has a good print surface and has excellent conformability which makes it suitable for labeling on rigid pac
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- Peel Tab
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A slit area on the facestock of a label used to assist in removal of the label from the liner. Also referred to as a pull tab.
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- Peel Tab
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A slit area on the facestock of a label used to assist in removal of the label from the liner.
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