Glossary - B

Backing up

To print the second side of printed sheet.

Banding

Defect in halftone screens or screen tints output by laser printers or imagesetters in which parallel breaks (stair steps) or streaks appear in the dot pattern.

Bank

A lightweight writing paper.

Banner

A large headline or title extending across the full page width.

Baseline

The line on which the bases of capital letters sit.

Bezier curves

In object-oriented programs, (such as Freehand, Illustrator, or Photoshop) a curve whose shape is defined by points set along its arc.

Binding

The various methods used to secure loose leaves or sections in a book; eg saddle-stitch, perfect bound.

Bitmap Image (bmp)

A graphic image stored as a specific arrangement of screen dots, or pixels. Web graphics are bitmap images. A graphic which is defined by specifying the colours of dots or pixels which make up the picture. Also known as raster graphics. Common types of bitmap graphics are GIF, JPEG, Photoshop, PCX, TIFF, Macintosh Paint, Microsoft Paint, PNG, FAX formats, and TGA.

Blanket

A sheet made of rexine or rubber that covers the impression cylinder of a press.

Blanket cylinder

The cylinder via which the inked litho plate transfers the image to the paper. The cylinder is covered with a rubber sheet which prevents wear to the litho plate coming into contact with the paper.

Bleed

Layout, type or pictures that extend beyond the trim marks on a page. Illustrations that spread to the edge of the paper without margins are referred to as 'bled off'.

Blind emboss

A raised impression made without using ink or foil.

Blocking

To impress or stamp a design upon a cover. The design can be blocked in colour inks, gold leaf or metal foil.

Blow up

An enlargement, most frequently of a graphic image or photograph.

Board

Paper of more than 200gsm.

Bold type

Type with a heavier darker appearance. Most typefaces have a bold face.

Bond

A sized finished writing paper of 50gsm or more. Can also be used for printing upon.

Book paper

Category of paper suitable for newsletters and general printing needs. Book paper is divided into uncoated paper (also called offset paper), coated paper (also called art paper, enamel paper, gloss paper and slick paper), and text paper.

Bulk

Thickness of paper.

Business reply card

Preaddressed card meeting postal regulations for size, caliper, bar coding and prepayment. Also called BRC and reply card.