4-color-process: The process of combining four basic colors (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) to create a printed color picture or colors composed from the basic four colors.

Foil emboss/stamping: Foil stamping and embossing an image on paper with a die.

PMS: The abbreviated name of the pantone color matching system. Referring to the range of custom mixed colors contained within said system.

Bleed: Printing that goes to the edge of the sheet after trimming.

Foil: A metallic or pigmented coating on plastic sheets or rolls, used in foil stamping and foil embossing.

Post-consumer waste: Paper material that has been recovered for recycling from waste generated by consumers once it has served its intended end use.

Chain of custody: The path that goods (raw materials, processed materials and products) take from the forest to the consumer, including all stages of processing, transformation, manufacturing, and distribution.

Forest Certification: The process by which the environmental, social, and economic integrity of a managed forest is inspected, measured, and certified, by a credible third party.

Recycled fiber: Fiber that has been reclaimed from a previous product and reprocessed and incorporated into a new product. Sources of fiber for recycling may be reclaimed pre-consumer or reclaimed post-consumer material.

Coated: Refers to paper or paperboard that has been coated to improve printability or appearance. Clay (kaolin) is predominantly used and may be applied during the manufacturing process or on and off-machine coater. Paper may be coated one side (C1S) or two sides (C2S).

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): An independent, membership-based, non-profit organization that supports environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable management of forests around the world. The FSC sets standards, provides certification systems and trademark recognition, and provides accreditation services for companies and organizations interested in responsible forestry.

Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI): The SFI program was developed by foresters, conservationists and scientists working together. It is a wide-ranging system of principles, objectives, and performance measures, that combine the continual growing and harvesting of trees with the protection of wildlife, plants, soil, and water quality.

Coating: Describes the layer of mixed substances such as clays and adhesives that are applied to the surface of paper or paperboard. The word is also used to describe the act of applying the formula to the surface of the paper or paperboard.

FSC-Certified: A product, process or service that has been certified (by an FSC-accredited certification body) as compliant with the applicable FSC standard.

Up: As in "2-up." printing multiple copies of the same image on the same sheet.

Die cutting: Cutting images in or out of paper, using a die.

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.

Uv coating: Liquid laminate bonded and cured with ultraviolet light.

Digital Printing: The method of printing from direct digital files, direct to paper without the need for conventional films or plates. It requires less waste in terms of chemicals used and paper wasted in set up. Digital printing is ideal for short run and variable data for one-to-one targeted marketing. Digital printing or print-on-demand, gives the flexibility to print in quantities that would not be cost-effective with conventional litho printing. 

Hard Copy: Output from printer sent for reference.

Varnish: Clear liquid applied to printed surfaces for appearance and protection. Available in gloss or dull finish.

Die: Metal rule or imaged block used to cut or place an image on paper in the finishing process.

Laminate: To cover with plastic film, to bond or glue one surface to another.

Virgin stock: Pulp obtained from wood, cotton or another cellulose source and not previously used in the papermaking process.

Emboss: Pressing an image into paper so that it will create a raised relief.

Makeready: All the activities required to prepare a press for printing.

Wash-up: Removing printing ink from a press. washing the rollers and blanket. Certain ink colors require multiple wash-ups to avoid ink and chemical contamination.

Fiber: A thread-like filament many times longer than its diameter. Smallest unit of vegetable growth which is used to maker paper pulps.

Matte finish: Matte-coated papers have little or no gloss.

Volatile Organic Compounds: Are organic chemical compounds that under normal conditions can vaporize and enter into the atmosphere. VOCs are sometimes accidentally released into the environment, where they can damage soil and groundwater. Vapors of VOCs escaping into the air contribute to air pollution. Once exposed to sunlight, reacts with nitrogen oxide to form ozone. The ozone combines with other materials and contributes to the formation of smog. Ozone in the lower atmosphere, near the earth's surface, has an adverse effect on the environment. They are emitted from thousands of products such as, paints and lacquers, cleaning supplies, carpets, and many more.

Overrun or overs: Copies printed in excess of the specified quantity. Printing trade terms allow for +/–10% to represent a completed order.

Pre-consumer waste: Paper generated during the papermaking process that never reaches the consumer. This waste can be mill broke or paper waste returned to the mill for use as a pulp substitute.

Isopropyl alcohol is a source of VOCs.  In printing, the dampening system transfers a water-based solution to the printing plate as a way to make the non-image areas of the plate ink-repellent. IPA has been, and in some parts of the world continues to be, a popular dampening solution additive. Southeastern Printing presses operate alcohol-free.

A solvent is a liquid that dissolves a solid, liquid, or gaseous solute, resulting in a solution. Cleaning is a major part of the printing process. The majority of cleaning solutions are used to clean the ink rollers and the printing blankets. Printers have used various blends of solvents to accomplish these tasks. In the past, the solvent blends were generally 100 percent VOCs and many contained hazardous materials. We use solvents with reduced VOCs and are researching the use of vegetable based solvents. Unfortunately the products available that are sustainable or eco-friendly do not produce the same quality result. Until quality products are available we will continue to take every step necessary to reduce our impact and waste production. (see Solvent Recovery System)