Glossary of Terms, A - C
NS = Refer relevant National
Standard.
LM = Refer Labelstock Manufacturers specification
sheets.
IM = Refer Ink Manufacturers specification
sheets.
O = Other manufacturers specification sheets - Die
or cutter, plates, etc.
A
A, AA, AAA
Often used as client credit rating
system.
A = Good Client, AA = Very Good
Client, AAA = Excellent Client
ABHESIVE
A material that resists adhesion.
Abhesive coatings are applied to surfaces to prevent sticking,
etc.
ABRASION RESISTANCE
The inherent ability of a surface
to inhibit deterioration or destruction by friction. Also
called `rub or scuff resistance’, it relates to the toughness
of an ink or coating.
Refer NS & IM.
ABRASIVENESS
The tendency of a paper, coating
or ink to abrade or wear away die edges, slitting blades,
printing type, plates, etc., by friction.
Refer NS.
ABSORBENCY
That property of a porous material
which causes it to take up liquids or vapours.
ABSORPTION
The penetration of one substance
into the mass of another. ie. Ink absorbed into paper.
ACCELERATE
To hasten the natural progress of
an event or a series of events. To speed up a reaction or
process. ie. This can be accomplished by using heat, fast
drying solvents, moving air or using chemical agents in inks
to cause a reaction. ie.
- Drying an adhesive or sealer
faster than normal by increasing the temperature.
- Adding an accelerator
(Chemical), to Ultra Violet inks to assist a faster cure.
Refer NS & IM.
ACCELERANT - Chemical. (Not to be
confused with Accelerated Aging)
A material (catalyst), added to a
liquid compound to convert the whole mass into a solid, or
speed up its cure as in Ultra Violet Inks. (Was known as
ACCELERATOR - misnomer)
ACCELERATED AGING
Procedures for subjecting pressure
sensitive label stock to special environmental conditions in
order to predict the course of natural aging. (Can also be
printed for ink & paper aging tests combined).
Refer NS, LM & IM.
ACETATE
A plastic synthesised from
cellulose dissolved in acetic acid which exhibits rigidity,
dimensional stability & ink receptivity. Transparent or
matt films, sometimes used for label stocks.
ACETATE FILM
A clear film made from cellulose
acetate.
ACID-FREE PAPER
A paper made for use where acid is
harmful to the material with which that paper is in contact.
(See Neutral Papers or pH Value).
ACIDITY
A general term applying to paper
on the Acid side of neutral (Degree of Acidity).
ACRYLATE RESINS
A type of copolymer used in UV
inks, adhesives and coating formulations.
ACRYLIC
A general chemical term of a
particular family of thermoplastic resins based on acrylic
acid and its derivatives.
ACRYLIC BASED ADHESIVE
A pressure sensitive adhesive
based on high strength, acrylic polymers. Can be coated as a
solvent or emulsion system.
ACRYLIC EMULSION
A water based latex made with
acrylic polymers, used in coatings and adhesives.
ACRYLIC INK
Ink containing acrylic polymers
used for printing on some plastics and other substrates,
especially where outdoor exposure may be involved.
ADHERE
To stick or hold fast. To bond; to
cause two surfaces to be held together by adhesive
(Stuck).
ADHERENCE
See Adhesion
ADHEREND
The substance or surface to which
the adhesive is applied. ie. Face Stock.
ADHESION
The quality or condition of
sticking together or holding fast two surfaces - one to the
other. Term is also used to describe the measure of strength
with which one material sticks to another
Refer NS & LM.
ADHESION BUILD-UP
An increase in the ‘peel’ adhesion
value of a pressure sensitive material after it has been
allowed to dwell on the applied surface.
ADHESION, MECHANICAL
Adhesion caused by the physical
interlocking of the adhesive with the base surface
irregularities of the adherend.
ADHESION, PEEL
The measure of the force required
to remove a pressure sensitive material from another surface
at a specified angle and speed, after the material has been
applied under specific conditions
Refer NS & LM.
ADHESION PROMOTER - See PRIMER
ADHESION, SHEAR
A measure of the time required to
slide a specific sized area of pressure sensitive label
material from a standard flat surface in a direction parallel
to that surface. Weight and heat are sometimes used to
accelerate the test
Refer NS & LM.
ADHESION, SPECIFIC
The adhesion to a specified
surface.
ADHESION TEST
Any of a variety of test methods
used to determine the adequacy of ink, coating or adhesive
adhesion to a substrate
Refer NS, LM & IM.
ADHESION, ULTIMATE
The mature or final bond achieved,
under controlled conditions, between ink, coating or adhesive
to any flexible or rigid substrate.
ADHESIVE
A substance capable of holding
materials together by surface attachment.
ADHESIVE BLEED
Ooze - Adhesive ooze, flow or
excretion from between pressure sensitive material or label
and the surface to which the material or label is bonded, as a
result of cold flow or edge ooze
Refer NS & LM.
ADHESIVE BUILD-UP
The transfer of adhesive from
pressure sensitive label material to label machinery parts
during conversion or applicator parts during dispensing and
applying of labels. Also may be transferred from leading edge
of sheets in laser or ink-jet printer hoppers and
photocopiers
Refer NS & LM.
ADHESIVE, COLD TEMPERATURE
An adhesive that will induce a
bond to cold surfaces in a cold environment
Refer NS & LM.
ADHESIVE DEPOSIT
See Adhesive Residue
Refer NS & LM.
ADHESIVE FILM
Thin layer of dried adhesive (1 -
3 mils) provided in dry film form, with or without reinforcing
material, which is cured by means of heat and pressure.
(Iron-on Labels).
ADHESIVE, HIGH TEMPERATURE
An adhesive that will enable a
pressure sensitive label material to withstand sustained high
temperatures
Refer NS & LM.
ADHESIVE, PERMANENT
An adhesive characterised by
relatively high ultimate adhesion. May be removed if the force
used overcomes the bond, however permanent is considered
non-removable under normal circumstances
Refer NS & LM.
ADHESIVE, PRESSURE SENSITIVE
A type of adhesive which in dry
form is aggressively tacky at room temperature. It has the
capability of promoting a temporary bond to dissimilar
surfaces on contact, but needs pressure to complete the action
of being stuck - hence pressure sensitive label
Refer NS & LM.
ADHESIVE, REMOVABLE
An adhesive characterised by
relatively high cohesive strength and low ultimate adhesion.
It can be removed easily from most surfaces. Some adhesive
transfer could take place depending on the affinity of the
adhesive to the surface to which it is stuck
Refer NS & LM.
ADHESIVE RESIDUE
The pressure sensitive adhesive
remaining behind on a surface due to cohesive or priming
failure when a pressure sensitive label is removed from that
surface. This also refers to the release from the liner or
backing
Refer NS & LM.
ADHESIVE SPLITTING
Failure within the adhesive mass
when labels are placed under stress or removed. If splitting
occurs, part of the adhesive remains on the substrate, and
part on the labelled object. Appearance is like stringing of
adhesive or like stringing chewing gum.
ADHESIVE STRIKE-THROUGH
When adhesive penetrates through
the face material of a pressure sensitive label. Also called
Migration of adhesive
Refer NS & LM.
ADHESIVE TRANSFER
The transfer of adhesive from the
label to the surface of the labelled article
Refer NS & LM.
AFFINITY
Chemical attraction - The
attraction between the adhesive and the surface to be
labelled.
AGED RELEASE
After premature aging in a
laboratory - The force required to remove a release liner from
an adhesive after a measured period of time, often at elevated
temperatures in controlled test conditions
Refer NS & LM.
AGING
The change or changes undergone by
a material or adhesive as a result of the passage of time, or
adverse climatic changes
Refer NS & LM.
AIR DRIED
Forced air drying of coatings or
inks. (Usually heated air)
Refer NS & IM.
ALCOHOL
A colourless flammable liquid
(organic solvent) used as a solvent in flexographic inks.
ALIGNMENT (Line-up)
Refers to the relative alignment
of printing stations to each other and to die stations on a
label press. Also used to describe the relative position of a
scanner or light source to a bar code.
ALLIGATORING
Term used to describe the
appearance of an adhesive, coating or sealer film that is
cracked into large segments. Also called Cracking or
Crazing.
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
A term used to describe the
temperature of the surrounding air. Atmosphere
Refer NS & LM.
ANALYSIS
The division of a substance into
its constituent parts with the purpose to examine or determine
their relationship to each other
Refer NS & LM.
ANCHORAGE
The specific adhesion of a
pressure sensitive adhesive to a face material or an anchor
coat
Refer IM.
ANILINE DYES
Coal-tar derivatives classified
according to the degree of fastness to light or brightness.
Basic dyes have extreme brightness, but are not fast to light.
Acid dyes are less brilliant, but have greater light fastness.
Direct dyes are much more fade resistant than basics and, in
some cases, than acid dyes.
ANILINE PRINTING
Early name for rubber plate
printing, using fast-drying liquid inks.
ANILOX INKING
In flexography, a two roller
inking system consisting of a smooth roller which sits in an
ink trough and transfers the liquid ink to an engraved metal
roller with cells of a fixed size that then transfer the ink
controllably (metered) to the plate.
ANILOX ROLL (ROLLER)
Mechanically engraved steel or
chrome coated or ceramic metering roller used in flexographic
printing presses to meter a controlled film of ink from the
contacting rubber covered doctor roller to the printing plates
which then transfer the ink to the web. Volume of ink is
affected by the cell count per linear inch and dimension of
the cell and cell wall of the engraving. Sometimes
manufactured from copper and chromium plated steel, but
ceramic rollers, which are laser engraved, are becoming more
common.
ANTIOXIDANTS
Agents which retard the action of
oxygen in substances subject to oxidation.
ANTISTATIC AGENTS
Ingredients in coatings that make
the coating antistatic.
ANTISTATIC BAR - DEVICE
A bar or device fitted to a Label
machine that disperses static to ground.
ANTISTATIC COATINGS
Coatings applied to one or both
surfaces of a substrate to reduce the electrostatic build up,
so that the material can be further processes. ie. Sheeted,
stacked, collated etc.
ANVIL CUT LABELS
A pressure sensitive label which
has been die-cut through all components of the label stock,
including the liner, steel to steel cut. Full punch out of
labels.
ANVIL ROLLER
Hardened steel roller upon which
bearers of a rotary die cutter ride which also provides the
hardened surface for die cutting.
APPLICATION
Refers to a pressure sensitive
label actually being adhered to a product.
APPLICATION TEMPERATURE
Temperature of the product or
ambient air at the time the label is applied. Note: Most
adhesives have a minimum and maximum application temperature
rating
Refer LM data sheets to clarify
this, however if in doubt, testing of labels or labelstock on
the product is highly recommended
Refer NS & LM.
APPLICATOR
A device that automatically feeds
and applies pressure sensitive labels to a product.
APPLICATOR ROLLER
Coating, print, tint, lacquer or
varnish roller, or laminating roller that actually applies any
of these to a substrate.
AQUEOUS
Water containing or water
based
Refers to adhesive or inking
systems which use water as the carrier or vehicle
Refer IM.
AQUEOUS INKS
Inks produced utilising a water
base.
ARTIFICIAL AGING
The accelerated testing of
specimens to determine a change in properties, carried out
over a short period of time. Such tests are indicative of what
may be expected of a material under actual service conditions
over extended periods
Refer NS & LM.
ARTWORK
The original design, including
drawings, sketches and text produced by the artist (graphic).
This may be presented as a black and white art sheet with
colour overlays, or in disk format for a computer printout
using laser printers. All elements of the design should be
representative of the completed work and printing plates
should be able to be made from the artwork or disc.
ASPECT RATIO
The ratio of height to width of a
bar code symbol.
AUTO IGNITION POINT
The temperature at which mixtures
of solvent vapour and air will ignite without the aid of a
spark or flame.
AUTOCLAVE
A pressurised, steam heated vessel
generally used for sterilisation. In label application, label
must endure a cooking process by superheated steam under
pressure
Refer to Labelstock manufacturers’
data sheets. Label tests are highly recommended.
B
BACKGROUND
The area surrounding a printed
symbol.
BACKING
Refers to the carrier sheet of a
material in a pressure sensitive lamination as opposed to the
face material. Usually has a release coating applied so that
the adhesive will not stick too tightly to it. Release liner,
backing paper, carrier, etc.
BACK PRINTING
Refers to printing on the
underside of a pressure sensitive substrate or laminate, ie.
on the adhesive or back of liner.
BACK SLIT
A cut in the liner, usually along
the web, but can be on the back of sheeted pressure sensitive
laminate to allow the face stock to be easily peeled away by
hand when die cutting has not been used.
BACK SPLIT (See Split Back)
BAGGINESS
A slack, floppy area usually
caused by gauge variation. The material has been stretched and
is actually longer in that area. Can be caused by tight,
uneven winding of the labelstock by the manufacturer.
BALL-UP
Specific term to describe the
tendency of an adhesive to stick to itself; cohesiveness. Such
an adhesive, when rolled between the fingers, will not spread
smoothly but will roll up in small spheres.
BAND LABEL
A paper wrap-around for use on
cloth bags, envelope packaging, bulk banknotes, etc.
BAR
The dark element of a printed bar
code symbol.
BAR CODE
In optical reading, a system of
symbols (lines) which identifies data through length, position
size or thickness of lines or symbols. Codes are normally
machine printed, but can be computer generated.
BAR CODE DENSITY
The number of characters which can
be represented in 25.4mm (1 lineal inch).
BAR CODE READER
A device used to identify and read
a bar code symbol.
BAR LENGTH
The bar dimension perpendicular to
the bar width.
BAR WIDTH
The thickness of a bar measured
from the edge closest to the symbol start character to the
trailing edge to the same bar.
BAR WIDTH REDUCTION
Reduction of the nominal bar width
dimension on film, masters or printing plates to compensate
for printing gain (squash).
BARE CYLINDER DIAMETER
The diameter of the actual plate
cylinder, before the stickyback and plates are mounted.
BARRIER COAT - Also known as SEALER
COAT, PRIMER or TIE COAT
A coating applied to the face
material on the side opposite to the printing surface to
provide increased opacity to the face material and/or to
prevent migration between adhesive and the face material and
provide anchorage of adhesive to face material
Refer LM & IM.
BASE
The major constituent, other than
pigments and filler, comprising the non-volatile portion of an
adhesive, coating or sealer compound.
BASE ROLL - See ANVIL ROLL
BASIC SHEET SIZE
The size of a sheet of paper which
is used to determine paper weight. (1 square metre). Although
sizes may vary depending on the type of stock and the country
where the measure is made.
BASIS WEIGHT
The weight in kilograms of a ream
(500 sheets) of paper cut to a given size.
BATCH COUNTER
Device used on a sheeter, stacker
or fanfold unit to count and group sheeted or fan-folded
labels.
BEARER
Type-high supports mounted or
moulded around each end of a printing plate to help carry part
of the impression load and to help prevent roller bounce. Also
the load bearing surface(s) of a rotary die, usually
positioned at each end of the die
Refer O.
BEARING BLOCK
A device that holds the die in
place and upon which pressure is added so as to effect the
actual die cutting function. Pressure is almost always applied
directly over the bearers at each end of the die
Refer O.
BEND TEST
A means of testing the flexibility
of an adhesive, coating or sealer compound at a specified
temperature. The compound is applied to metal, dried or cured,
and after conditioning at a specific temperature, bent over a
mandrill to determine the product’s resistance to rupture
Refer NS.
BIAX
Biaxially oriented material, that
is, oriented in the machine and transverse directions.
BI-DIRECTIONAL READ
The ability to read data
successfully whether the scanning motion is left to right or
right to left. (As in supermarket bar code readers)
BI-DIRECTIONAL SYMBOL
A bar code symbol which permits
reading in complimentary directions.
BINDER
An adhesive substance, usually in
liquid form, used to create adhesion between aggregates.
Distinguished from an adhesive in that it performs an internal
adhesive function rather than a surface adhesive function.
Also the component of an ink that supplies the
cohesiveness.
BIT
An abbreviation for ‘binary
digit’. A single character in a binary number.
BLACK-AND-WHITE
Originals or reproductions in
single colour or monochrome, usually refers to artwork.
BLEED
When the printed image extends
beyond the trim edge of the label, it is called bleed.
BLEEDING
The diffusion or migration of an
ink or adhesive or dye into an area where it is not wanted.
The spreading or running of a pigment colour by action of a
solvent. Also the diffusion or migration of an adhesive into
the face material.
BLEED THROUGH
See Penetration - Migration.
BLOCKING
Undesired adhesion between the
plies in rolls of pressure sensitive label stock usually due
to adhesive ooze, improper drying on inks, or improper curing
of coatings, often to the extent that damage to at least one
surface is visible upon their separation if they can in fact
be separated. The same applies to sheets.
BLOCKING TEST
A test used to measure the
tendency of surface to surface sticking
Refer NS.
BLOW UP
An enlargement of artwork or
photograph.
BODY STOCK - See Face Material
BOLD FACE (TYPE)
Name given to type that is heavier
than type text with which it is used. Heavy face, in contrast
to light face type. Used for emphasis in captions,
sub-headings etc.
BOND
To attach materials together by
adhesives.
BONDING RANGE
The time during which satisfactory
bonds can be made. A bonding range of from 10 to 30 minutes
indicates that maximum bonds can be achieved between 10 and 30
minutes. Times vary according to adhesive properties and the
article to which the label is stuck to
Refer LM specification sheets and
NS.
BONDING STRENGTH
In paper, the force with which the
fibres adhere to each other. In surface coatings, such as
inks, varnishes and adhesives, the strength with which the
dried coating adheres to the surface of the substrate. Also
refers to the degree of adhesion of a pressure sensitive face
material to any surface
Refer NS & LM for test
procedure.
BOUNCE
The abnormal reaction to
compression, which results in erratic rotational movement of
the cylinders, causing missed or imperfect impressions. Can
also occur with a rotary die, causing imperfect die
cutting.
BREAK - See JOIN
A term used to denote a tear in a
roll of face material or release liner. Such defects are
generally spliced and marked by a protruding flag or stamped
with a rubber stamp. Term is Break or Join.
BREAKING
The operation of passing material
over a dull edge which `breaks’ the adhesive layer, retarding
curl and improving water absorption when re-moistened for
use.
BRIGHTNESS
The reflectivity of a sheet of
paper for blue light measured under standardised conditions on
a particular instrument designed and calibrated specifically
for the purpose. Strictly speaking, brightness is not a
colorimetric quantity
Refer NS & LM.
BULK
Term used to denote the thickness
of a sheet or relevant thickness according to the basis or
substrate weight of a sheet. A bulky sheet refers to one
lacking compactness, resulting in a lighter weight for a given
thickness
Refer LM specification sheets.
BURN
Common term used for printing
plate exposure.
BURSTING PERF - (Perforation)
A fold perforation that permits
ease of mechanical bursting.
BURSTING STRENGTH
The pressure required to rupture a
material specimen when it is tested in a specified instrument
under specified conditions. It is largely determined by the
tensile strength and extensibility of the material
Refer NS for test procedures.
BUTT CUT LABELS
Rectangular or triangular labels
in a continuous form separated by a single knife cut to the
liner across the web. Usually rectangular.
BUTT LABELS - See BUTT CUT
BUTT ROLL - See STUB ROLL
BUTT SPLICE
An end to end joining of two
similar materials. For continuity of surface, design, etc.
Often used in stickyback, printing plates and webs of
substrates in process.
BUTTED RECTANGLES
Die cut rectangles butted to each
other with no around and/or across matrix to remove.
BUTTED TRIANGLES
Die cut triangles butted to each
other with no around and/or across matrix to remove.
BYTE
Computer terminology - 8 bits = 1
byte.
C
C
Commonly used as symbol for 100,
ie. ‘C’ note = $100.
C1S PAPER
Abbreviation for coated one side
paper
CAD/CAM
Computer assisted Design -
Computer Assisted Make-up or Manufacturing.
CAKING
The collecting of dried ink on
rollers and plates.
CALENDER BLACKENING
A term descriptive of darkening of
the intended shade of paper by excessive calendering wet
paper.
CALENDER CUTS
Defects caused by creasing or
cutting of the web of paper during calendering due to wrinkles
in the web.
CALENDER FINISHED
A term applied to any paper with a
surface glazed by means of a calender stack.
CALLIPER - THICKNESS
The thickness of paper measured
under specified conditions, and usually expressed in grams per
square metre or microns. Can also be given as thousands of an
inch
Refer to Labelstock Manufacturer’s
Specification sheets
Refer relevant National Standard
for test procedure.
CAMERA READY - (Artwork)
Copy which is ready for
photography. See Artwork.
CARRIER
Sometimes used to refer to the
liner material of pressure sensitive labels. Also a term used
to describe the stock to which two (2) layers of adhesive are
applied in a double adhesive construction
Refer LM.
CAST COATED
A high-gloss enamel finish.
CAST COATED PAPER - GLOSS PAPER
A paper, the coating of which is
allowed to harden or set while in contact with a finished
casting surface. Cast coated papers usually have a high gloss
finish
Refer LM.
CAST FILM
Plastic sheeting manufactured by
the casting process, as opposed to the extruding process.
CAST VINYL
Vinyl sheeting manufactured by
coating a liquid vinyl acetate or similar ester onto a casting
paper and curing in a heated oven.
CATALYST
A substance which has the
capability of initiating or accelerating the speed of a
reaction between two (2) or more substances when introduced
into their presence. ie. The chemical (In this case - the
photo-initiator) that is in Ultra Violet cured inks that
reacts to exposure to Ultra Violet light and causes a
catalytic reaction. ie. The `curing’ of the ink.
CAVITY
Usually refers to the engraving on
a rotary die cutter that die cuts a single shape.
CELL
A small engraved or etched
depression in an anilox roller that carries the ink to the
plate.
CELLULOSE
Fibrous substance of wood, cotton
and other vegetable matter.
CELLULOSE FIBRE
The fibrous material remaining
after the non-fibrous components of wood have been removed by
pulping and bleaching operations. Used in paper making.
CELSIUS or CENTIGRADE
The metric scale of temperature
where ‘0’ represents the freezing point of water and ‘100’
represents the boiling point of water. Also called CENTIGRADE.
Formula for conversion to
Fahrenheit: F = 9/5 x C + 32
CENTIPOISE
One hundred of a poise; a unit for
measuring viscosity.
CENTRAL IMPRESSION (Machine)
A press with a number of printing
units around a large cylinder which serves as the impression
cylinder against which the substrate rides.
CERAMIC ANILOX ROLLER
Engraved inking roller used in
flexographic printing. New techniques in manufacturing allow
for vastly improved anilox roller performance and life.
CHALKING
A form of coating deterioration
characterised by the formation of a loose, chalk like powder
on the film surface.
CHARACTER
A single group of bars and spaces
which represent an individual number, letter or punctuation
mark.
CHARGE
Usually refers to the degree or
type of electrical property carried by a substrate. (Static
electricity).
CHECK DIGIT
A digit included within a symbol
whose value is based mathematically on other characters
included in the symbol. It is used for the purpose of
performing a mathematical check to ensure the accuracy of the
read. (Bar coding)
CHECKING - CRAZING
The presence of hairline cracks in
a varnish coating, a lacquer coating, a film or in an
adhesive.
CHEMICAL CURING
The setting or curing of an
adhesive, coating or sealer brought about by the addition of a
catalyst, accelerator or photoinitiator.
CHEMICAL RESISTANCE
The resistance of a pressure
sensitive label to the deteriorating effects resulting from
exposure to chemicals under specified conditions.
CHILL ROLL (ER)
Metal roller or drum cooled
internally with water, etc. Often used after press dryer to
cool the printed web prior to die cutting, rewinding, etc.
CHOKE
An image whose edges have been
pulled in slightly from those of the original. The image area
remains essentially the same except for a narrow strip of
reduction around its perimeter.
CHOKES and SPREADS
Overlaps of overprinting images to
prevent colour fringes or white borders around image detail
due to slight register shifts during printing.
CHROMATIC SCALE
The colours of the spectrum: Red,
Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Violet.
CIRCUMFERENTIAL REGISTER - See RUNNING
REGISTER
CLARITY
Degree of clearness.
CLAY COATED
A term used to describe a paper
with a clay coating on either one or both sides.
CLAY COATING
The operation of coating paper and
paperboards with clay containing an adhesive as a binder.
CLEAR AREA
A required clear space, containing
no dark marks, which precedes the start character of a symbol
sand follows the stop character. Also known as the Quiet
Area.
CLEAR COAT - See VARNISH
A coating that protects the
printing and the surface of a pressure sensitive label from
abrasion, sunlight, chemicals, moisture, or a combination of
these
Refer NS & IM for test
procedure.
COAT, DOUBLE
Generally applies to two (2)
successive coats of adhesive, coatings or sealers applied to
one (1) surface.
COATED PAPER
General term applying to all
papers which have been surface coated with pigments.
COATING - See VARNISH - See FLOOD
COATING
In printing, an emulsion, varnish
or lacquer applied in-line or off-line, often over a printed
surface to give it added protection.
COATING WEIGHT
The weight of a coating per unit
area. ie. gsm = grams per square meter.
COAT, SINGLE
Applies to single (1) coat of
adhesive, coating or sealer to surface.
COBWEBBING
A filmy, web-like buildup of dried
ink or varnish that appears on the doctor roller or at the end
of the impression rolls. (Flexography)
COD - C.O.D.
Cash On Delivery. Customer must
pay in full at time of delivery. Shipper retains title to
goods until carrier obtains remittance.
CO-EXTRUSIONS
Film produced by more than one
extruder through a common die. Films have been made with as
many as 13 layers.
COHESION
The internal strength of an
adhesive mass; resistance to flow, and resistance to failure
in the adhesive when labels are removed or are under stress.
Cohesive Strength.
COHESION FAILURE
The mode of failure wherein the
adhesive splits, leaving some residue on the labelled surface
and part on the label.
COHESIVE STRENGTH
Other terms used are: Cohesion;
Internal Bond; Shear; The internal strength of an adhesive. A
measure of which its resistance to forces parallel to the
surface. ie. Resistance to adhesive splitting
Refer NS for test procedure.
COLD CRACKING
The breaking or shattering under
stress of plastic coatings that have become brittle due to
lowered temperatures.
COLD FLOW
The tendency of a pressure
sensitive adhesive to act like a heavy, viscous liquid over
long periods of time. Such phenomena as ‘oozing’ or ‘increases
in adhesion’ are the results of this characteristics
Refer LM Specification Sheets.
COLD TEMPERATURE ADHESIVE
An adhesive that will enable a
pressure sensitive label to adhere or stick well when applied
to a cold substrate, often in cold ambient temperatures
Refer LM Specification Sheets.
COLLATING
Assembling in proper order.
(Sheets of numbered paper or different colours, etc.).
COLOUR CORRECTION
Any method such as masking,
dot-etching, re-etching, and/or electronic scanning used to
correct for colour errors in process inks.
COLOUR FASTNESS
Colour permanence. Colour
Stability. That property of a pressure sensitive labelstock to
retain its colour in normal storage or to resist change in
colour when exposed to light, heat or other deleterious
influences. This also applies in more common terms - to the
‘colour fastness’ of the inks and varnishes
Refer NS & IM for Colour Fast
Ink test procedure.
COLOUR KEY
A series of coloured films used to
check individual colours and stripping. When overlaid in
printing sequence it will produce a multi-coloured image. A
Colour Key is limited to Yellow, Orange, Dark Blue (Reflex),
Magenta, Cyan, Black, White, Gold, Brown, Green, Red, Beige
and any combinations thereof. Basically a photographic
positive of the separation negatives in generic colour.
COLOUR MATCHING
To duplicate the hue, value and
intensity of a given colour sample usually by blending
appropriate elements. ie. Considering the colour of the paper,
plastic, wood, etc., as well as the colour of the ink.
COLOUR PERMANENCE
See Colour Fastness.
COLOUR PROCESS
A reproduction of any subject
where the colours are separated by any method utilising at
least three (3) Primary Process Colours - Yellow, Magenta and
Cyan. Using half-tone or Crystal Raster plates to produce
intermediate colours and shades. Line-work and screen-work can
be utilised.
COLOUR PROOF
A printed or simulated printed
image of each process colour (Yellow, Magenta, Yellow &
Black), using inks, toners or dyes to give a simulated
impression of the final printed reproduction. Colour proofs
are now most often generated by computer. However, the only
real test of the plates and colours, is to print the
labelstock on the machine to prove the colours.
COLOUR RETENTION - See COLOUR
FASTNESS
The property of a colour to resist
fading or other deterioration on exposure to light.
COLOUR SEPARATED ART
See Pre-separated Art.
COLOUR SEPARATION
The process of separating coloured
originals into Yellow, Magenta, Cyan and Black printing
negatives. Mostly done on computer controlled scanners.
COLOUR STABILITY - See COLOUR
FASTNESS.
COLOUR STATIONS
Each printing section of the press
or set of rollers used to print each individual colour.
COLOUR TRANSPARENCY
A full-colour photographic
positive image on a transparent support from which colour
separations are usually produced. Can be viewed with the aid
of a lighted transparency viewer.
COLORANT
The colour portion of an ink; may
be a pigment, dye, or a combination of the two.
COMBINATION PLATE
A single engraving which includes
both line and half-tone.
COMBINATION PRESS
That type of label press that can
be added to with printing processes usually not standard to
that press. An example of this would be a flexographic press
that has a foil stamping module attached that can be removed
and replaced with a rotary letterpress unit.
COMPATIBILITY
The ability of ink, film,
substrate and/or solvents to function together in an
acceptable manner.
CONDENSED TYPE
Proportionally narrow or slender
type faces.
CONDITIONING
Process of subjecting material to
specific temperature and humidity conditions for stipulated
periods of time
Refer LM Specification Sheets.
CONFORMABILITY - See FLEXIBILITY
The ability of a pressure
sensitive material to yield to the contours of a surface
(curved or rough).
CONSISTENCY
Usually refers to the general body
characteristics of an ink or other coatings.
CONTINUOUS CODE
A bar code or symbol where the
space between characters (inter-character gap) is part of the
code.
CONTINUOUS LABEL - Also see EDP LABELS -
Also known as ZIG ZAG
Fan-folded labels manufactured
from a continuous web of label stock which is not cut into
units prior to execution. Usually prepared in flat Zig Zag
format in boxes. Continuous labels are mostly used for data
processing applications.
CONTROLLED RELEASE
A release level greater than that
provided by an unmodified release coating.
CONTROLLED RELEASE ADDITIVE
A material added to silicone
release coatings to create the desired higher release
level.
CONVERTER
Refers to that type of
manufacturer who produces plain or printed rolls, sheets, bags
or pouches etc., from rolls of film, foil or paper, including
pressure sensitive.
COPIER LABEL
A label in sheet format (usually
A4) designed for overprinting by a plain paper Photocopier.
May also be used in Laser printers and Ink-Jet printers.
CO-POLYMER
Two (2) or more mixed monomers
which, when polymerised, yield a complex product having
properties different from either simple polymer alone.
COPY
Any furnished material
(manuscript, pictures, artwork, etc.) to be used in the
production of printing.
COPY PREPARATION
Directions for desired size and
other details for illustrations, and the arrangement into
proper position of various parts of the label being prepared
for reproduction. Work being carried out for the preparation
of artwork for reproduction.
CORE
A tube on which paper, film, or
foil labels are wound for shipment. Also the metal body of a
roller which is rubber covered .
CORE HOLDER
Device for affixing core to shaft;
core chuck.
CORE PLUGS
Metal, wood or compressed paper
plugs which are driven into the paper core of the finished
roll to prevent crushing or other damage to the core and
material. Also known as Bungs.
CORNER RADIUS
Describes the arc or curvature of
the die blades where they meet so that they can impart a
rounded corner to a die cut label
Refer O.
CORONA TREATING
An electrical discharge which is
used to raise the critical surface tension of low or inert
substrates thereby enhancing printability.
COUPON
Removable label either supplying
information or having redeemable value. They may be pressure
sensitive or non-pressure sensitive.
COVERAGE
Ink or coating mileage (meterage);
the surface area covered by a given quantity of ink or coating
material. In flexography, the extent or degree to which a base
material is covered, coloured, or hidden by an ink or
coating
Refer IM.
CRACKING - See CRAZING
CRAZING
The appearance of a network of
small cracks in a varnish coat or a plastic facestock.
CREEP
The lateral movement of a pressure
sensitive label on a surface due to low cohesive strength.
CROMALIN
One-piece colour proofing for four
(4) colour process.
CROP
To eliminate portions of the copy
(indicated by crop-marks).
CROP MARKS
Marks made on the outer edges of
artwork to designate the area to be printed.
CROSS DIRECTION
The direction across the web.
Papers are weaker and are affected more by changes in relative
humidity in the cross direction than the grain direction.
CRUSH CUT
A cut made by a rotary blade in
contact with an anvil or base roller.
CRUSH SCORE - See SCORE
CRUSHED CORE
Core that gives way and becomes
out-of-round either from too much tension or a bump.
CRYSTAL RASTER - See STOCHASTIC
C.S.A.
Canadian Standards
Association.
CURE
To change the properties of
adhesive, coating or ink by chemical reaction. The ‘curing’ of
inks uses high intensity mercury vapour lamps commonly called
UV lamps, whereas the ‘curing’ of rubber requires considerable
heat and pressure. ‘Curing’ is achieved by condensation,
polymerisation or vulcanisation.
UV curing usually takes 1/40th of
1 second, depending on the colour, layer thickness of ink and
the speed that the substrate passes under the lamp. Usual rule
of thumb is one (1) lamp per 50 meters minute
Refer IM.
CURING TEMPERATURE
Temperature to which an adhesive,
ink or coating is subjected to for curing
Refer IM.
CURING TIME
The time/temperature combination
required to bring about the desired level of cure without
chemicals or polymerisation.
CURL
The tendency of material by itself
or in a laminate to bend or partly wrap around the axis of one
of its directions. Curl is often caused by humidity or
improper tension. Sometimes it can be defeated by using a
de-curling bar set-up on the paper unwind of a machine.
CURTAIN COATING
A method of coating which may be
employed with low viscosity resins or solutions, suspensions,
or emulsions of resins where the substrate to be coated is
passed through and perpendicular to a freely falling liquid
‘curtain’ (or ‘waterfall’). The flow rate of the falling
liquid and the linear speed of the substrate are coordinated
to control the thickness of coating desired.
CUT
An expression commonly used to
designate an engraving or photographic print. Also to dilute
an ink, lacquer, varnish, etc., with solvents or with a clear
base; to thin; Also known as dilution. Used to describe the
penetration of a difficult surface so as to permit adhesion.
To cut paper is the expression used to denote paper that is to
be reduced in size to specific measurements by
guillotining.
CUT-OFF
In web printing, the cut or print
length corresponding to the circumference of the plate
cylinder and/or die cutter; repeat length.
CUT RULE
Steel rule blades designed to cut
materials being produced on flat-bed die cutting equipment
(stations).
CUTS
The number of rolls slit from a
master roll.
CYAN
A subtractive primary colour which
reflects blue and green light and absorbs red light.
CYLINDER
In flexography and rotary
letterpress, most rollers in the press are called rolls with
the exception of that upon which the plates (rubber, cyrell,
etc.) are mounted, and the one which receives the impression.
These are usually referred to as cylinders, ie., plate
cylinder, impression cylinder.
CYREL
Du Pont’s trademark for
photopolymer plate material.
| 
