A Size:

The A range in the ISO international series of paper sizes.

Abrasion:

Scuffing or wearing of a part against its package or vice versa. Scuffing of a package against external surfaces. The damage caused by friction such as rubbing, scuffing, or scratching.

Accordion Fold:

Bindery term referring to two or more parallel folds which open like an accordion.

Acid Free:

Acid-free papers are manufactured in an alkaline environment, which prevents the internal chemical deterioration of the paper over time. The addition of calcium carbonate as a buffer also makes the paper resistant to the effects of an external acidic environment.

Adhesive:

A substance, such as glue, used to laminate two structures together.

Against the Grain:

At right angles to the direction of the paper grain.

Air-Brushing:

An illustration technique using an air-brush which blows air through liquid ink to form a spray and so achieve graduated effects. It can also be achieved digitally, using Photoshop.

Algorithm:

A mathematical formula that determines how dots are arranged in a halftone image.

Align:

To line up typeset or other graphic material as specified, using a base or vertical line as the reference point.

Alteration:

Change in copy or specifications after production has begun.

Analogue:

Continuously variable signals of data.

Annealed Foil:

Foil completely softened by thermal treatment. This is the softest form of foil available.

Anti-aliasing:

A technique for smoothing the rough edges (the jaggies) of bitmapped graphics, usually blurring the edges.

Antique Finish:

Rough paper finish created by reducing pressure at the wet presses on the paper machine and with little or no calendaring.

AOX -Adsorbable Organic Halogens:

Appletalk:

A network that links Apple computers with other Apple products and other manufacturers computers, enabling all to share information and resources.

Application File:

A document received in its native application format -Microsoft Word, PageMaker, Quark, etc.

Archival Paper:

Acid-free paper made to resist deterioration for documents that must last and meet special specifications. See also Acid Free.

Art Paper:

A term used to describe a range of smooth glossy papers with a filled surface, usually obtained by adding a coating of china clay compound on one or both sides of the paper.

Artboard:

Alternate term for mechanical art.

Artwork:

The final interpretation of the design; the material which is supplied to the printer for making film and plates. See also reproduction, plate making and proofing.

ASCII:

Pronounced "as-key". An acronym for American Standard Code for Information Interchange, which is a universal system of numbering computer characters. Every text character, tab mark, punctuation mark and other common text symbol has its own ASCII number, which all computers understand. The Macintosh uses an extended (256-character) version of the ASCII standard. Many other platforms support only the original 128-character version. That's why some characters you can create in a Mac text editor may not be displayed if you transfer the file to another platform.

Attribute:

An attribute is an additional characteristic that can be added to a font in a page layout program. These include bold, italic, drop shadow, etc.

Author's corrections:

Also known as "AC". Alterations made by the customer after the artwork, proofs, have been produced. An extra charge is usually levied for changes made at this stage.

A/W:

An abbreviation for Artwork.