Personalization - Also referred to as "mail merge". This refers to the process of making parts of your mail unique to each individual on your mailing list. You can manually create your custom fields in MS Word with mail merge. Click here to find out how.

Graphic Zones - Zones that represent areas for placing graphic elements(type and marks).

Gutter - the "inside" margin-space on either side of a fold. It provides space for binding, and separates pages.

Scanning - A process that allows you to import pictures into your computer.

This will allow you to add images to your documents. You will need to scan images at 300dpi or higher to get a clear print of your images. At some point, however, added resolution will not result in an appreciable gain in image quality, only larger file size. Click here for scanning instructions

Resolution - the number of pixels (picture elements) per unit of linear measurement (inch) on a computer monitor or the number of dots per inch in output form.

DPI - (Dots per inch) Represents your image measured in pixels.

We request that you submit your artwork at 300dpi or higher for quality and clarity. This is especially important if you have any pictures or marks in your documents.

Margins - Page margins are the blank space around the edges of the page.

In general, you insert text and graphics in the printable area inside the margins. However, you can position some items in the margins - for example, headers, footers, and page numbers.

Application - Pertaining to software used to create your artwork: such as MS Publisher, MS Word, Photoshop, or Adobe PDF.

Marks - (Logos, Lettermarks, Symbols, Illustrations, Photographs)-Used to identify a corporation, agency or institution. Can be graphic or text that you may want on your envelope or letterhead near your address.

Crop - To cut off parts of a picture or image.

Full Bleed - When a design calls for printing that goes right off the edge of the paper with no border, it is said to bleed.

This is important because it requires that printers allow a little extra image to go beyond the boundary of the page to allow for minor production variation. Though the amount of extra paper required to do this is very small (1/8"), it can make a price difference in some cases.

Page count - Total number of pages in a document, including blanks.


For Print

CMYK - Short for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow amd Black. The four colors of ink used to create a broad spectrum of color in printing.

Process colors - Cyan (blue), magenta (process red), yellow (process yellow), black (process black).

PMS - the abbreviated name of the Pantone Color Matching System.

Specifications - A precise description of a order.

Digital Laser Printing - Sharp, high resolution prints in minimal time. The advantage is for us to send your files directly to press, bypassing the traditional steps of film separations, film stripping and plate burning for digital 4-color printing.

Paper weights - The system of catagorizing thickness of paper.

The various classifications of book, cover, text, bond, etc., can be confusing. The most important thing to know is that cover weight stock is thicker than the same weight in book, bond or offset. I.e. - 80# cover is much thicker than 80# book. The best way to judge stock is by feel. Get a sample, check out the feel and opacity.

Uncoated - Paper that is not treated as explained above. Most copier paper, laser printer paper and stationery is uncoated paper.

Coated - Papers that have clay slurry applied to their surface. These papers can range from extremely shiny to very dull. The chief benefit of these papers is that less ink is absorbed into the paper making for brighter colors and greater detail. Glossy papers are all coated papers.

Recycled paper - Paper made from other paper that otherwise would end up in landfills. The thing to be aware of is that paper manufacturers can call their papers recycled with as little as 10% recycled content. Furthermore, the recycled content can be what is called "Pre-consumer waste." That means that the paper that is being recycled never actually got used by anyone in the first place; it's simply the ends of the rolls of the paper that the paper manufacturer generates themselves. Remember the motto REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE. Look for papers that are high in "Post-consumer waste." That is paper that has actually been used prior to recycling. There are excellent papers available that contain up to 100% post-consumer waste.

Bond paper - Strong durable paper grade used for letterheads and business forms.

Cover paper - A heavy printing paper used to cover books, make presentation folders, etc.

Matte finish - Dull paper or ink finish.


For Finishing

Trim size - The final size of one printed image after the last trim is made.

Perforation - A series of very small slits that allow part of a form to be torn off by the end user. A common use of this is to include a small tear-off reply form at the bottom of a form letter. When the letter is laser printed, the reply form can be imprinted with the client's name, address, account number, etc., at the same time.

Saddle stitch - Binding a booklet or magazine with staples in the seam where it folds.

Tab (wafer seal) - used to seal a folded self-mailer.

Insert - A letter, card, or other item placed in an envelope.


For Mail

Indicia - Postal information place on a printed product.

Delivery Point Bar Code - POSTNET barcode that consists of 62 bars with beginning and ending frame bars and 5 bars each for the 9 digits of the ZIP+4 code, the last 2 digits of the primary street address number (or post office box, etc.), and a correction digit. The DPBC allows automated Sortation of mail to the level in walk-sequence.

Metering - This is the process of using a machine to imprint the postage onto each piece in a mailing.

Postal qualification - Before we process your mailing at reduced postage rates, your address list must conform to certain standards set out in the USPS Direct Mail Manual. To accomplish this, we must check each address in your database against a file containing every deliverable address in the U.S. and its protectorates. Then, the last four digits of the zip code must be applied and reports generated showing the percentage of addresses that meet the various criteria.

Address Change Service - An automated process that provides change-of-address information to mailers who maintain their mailing lists on computers. The information is captured in the computerized forwarding system (DFS) units and sent to mailers on tape to eliminate manual processing of change information.

Standard Mail - Formerly called third-class and fourth-class mail.