Galley Proof:

Text copy before it is put into a mechanical layout or desktop layout.

Gang:

Getting the most out of a printing press by using the maximum sheet size to print multiple images or jobs on the same sheet. A way to save money.

Gang Scanning:

Scanning several images at once.

Gatefold:

An oversize page where both sides fold into the gutter in overlapping layers. Used to accommodate maps into books.

Gateway:

An electronic connection between two different networks.

Gathering:

To place the sections of a book in their correct order to make-up a complete book.

Generation:

Stages of reproduction from original copy. A first generation reproduction yields the best quality.

Ghost Bars:

A quality control method used to reduce ghosted image created by heat or chemical contamination.

Ghosting:

A faint printed image that appears on a printed sheet where it was not intended. More often than not this problem is a function of graphical design. It is hard to tell when or where ghosting will occur. Sometimes you can see the problem developing immediately after printing the sheet, other times the problem occurs while drying. However the problem occurs it is costly to fix, if it can be fixed. Occasionally it can be eliminated by changing the colour sequence, the inks, the paper, changing to a press with a drier, printing the problem area in a separate pass through the press or changing the racking (reducing the number of sheets on the drying racks). Since it is a function of graphical design, the buyer pays for the increased cost.

GIF -Graphics Interchange Format:

A file format (originally developed by CompuServe) that is used to compress and store graphics for publication on web pages. The GIF format is not tied to any particular computer or operating system so it provides a useful way to exchange files between different systems.

Giga (10) Joules:

The S.I. (System International) unit of work, energy and quantity of heat.

Gloss:

A finish which gives a paper a high sheen. Gloss is the surface reflectance value at a given angle. The greater the value the greater the surface of Gloss.

Gradient:

A gradual change in shading or colour over an area on the printed page or screen. A gradient involving different colours is sometimes called a blend.

Grain (Paper):

The direction along which the majority of fibres lie. The way which the cellulose fibres lay in machine made papers, also known as machine direction. The alignment is parallel to the movement of paper as it travels through the paper machine.

Grain (Photography):

Microscopic silver salt particles in photography (see emulsion). The dimensions of the grain (granularity) determine the resolution of the image (sharpness). Film sensitivity is related to the grain dimensions. Fine grain emulsions are less light-sensitive and vice versa.

Grain Direction:

As the paper web is carried forward on the machine, the majority of fibres orient themselves in the machine direction. When the web of paper is sheeted, the sheets will be grain long (fibres that run parallel to the long side of the sheet) or grain short (they run parallel to the short side). Grain direction should be considered during the design process for best results during printing, folding, and converting. In sheet fed printing, paper is generally printed grain long. Folds are smoother if they go "with the grain".

Grammage (GSM):

Paper weight is measured in grams per square meter. Most paper qualities are available in a range of weights to produce different thicknesses.

Graphic Element:

A graphic element is usually a picture or illustration created electronically, as distinct from an element that has been drawn manually and scanned or digitised.

Graphics:

General term for result of files created in drawing / illustrating / paint applications. Used to enhance documents.

Gravure:

An intaglio printing method in which the image to be printed lies below the surface of the plate in ink-filled wells. It is a rotary printing process where the image is etched into the metal plate attached to a cylinder. The cylinder is then rotated through a trough of printing ink after which the etched surface is wiped clean by a blade leaving the non-image area clean. The paper is then passed between two rollers and pressed against the etched cylinder drawing the ink out by absorption.

Gravure (Photogravure):

 A process where the printing surface lies below the non-printing surface and all recesses are filled with ink. The non-printing surface is cleaned of ink and as the paper is fed through it draws the ink from the recesses. Gravure is used for high quality long run jobs such as the printing of consumer magazines, because although a quality process, it is expensive to set up and relatively inflexible. Gravure printing: Gravure printing is ideal for printing in long runs. it is a web fed process, which contributes to higher printing speeds, Gravure cylinders (a steel base with a copper coating, is then engraved with the desired pattern, then coated after engraving with a chrome plating for durability in the printing process) are engraved and can give an extremely light to a heavy lay of ink, gives excellent reproduction of detail, which is very important in total legibility and overall appeal of a print job. The image to be printed lies below the surface of the cylinder. When the inked surface of the roll is wiped clean with a doctor blade, the ink remaining in the engraved depression (cells) the material runs over the cylinder the ink is then deposited on that material in the pattern engraved.

Greeking:

A series of nonsense or Latin words used to represent the text in a visual

Greyscale:

A scale of 256 standard grey tones ranging from black (0) to 255 (white), placed at the side of copy to measure tonal range and contrast. Frequently used in discussions about scanners as a measure of their ability to capture halftone images. Basically the more levels the better but correspondingly larger memory requirements.

Grid:

A systematic division of a page into areas to enable to ensure layout consistency. The grid acts as a measuring guide and shows text, illustrations and trim sizes.

Grippers:

The metal fingers on a printing press that hold the paper as it passes through the press.

GSM:

This is the substance weight of paper, relating to an area of paper that remains constant, irrespective of sheet size, expressed as grams per square metre.

Guillotine:

A machine used for cutting and trimming.

Gutter:

1. The space between the hollow and board in the spine of a binding case.

2. The inner margins of a book between the text and the binding edge.

3. The blank area between boundaries of pages on a lay down sheet.