Glossary - D

Deboss

Image pressed into paper so it lies below the surface.

Descender

Any part of a lower case letter that extends below the x-height, as in the case of 'y' and 'j'.

Densitometer

A device sensitive to the density of light transmitted or reflected by paper or film. Used to check the accuracy, quality, and consistency of output.

Density

The degree of opacity of a photographic image on paper or film.

Desktop Publishing

Is neither "desktop" nor "publishing." The term is used to describe the use of computer hardware and software to generate materials to be printed on presses or duplicated on copiers.

Die

A hardened steel engraving stamp used to print an inked image. Used in the production of good quality letter headings.

Die Cutting

The process of using sharp steel rules to cut special shapes into printed sheets.

Digital Printing

Using new digital machines as aposed to the traditional lithopgraphic machines to print directly from electronic artwork with the ability to include variable data.

Digital Proofing

Proofing using Adobe PDF files instead of using film or paper based proofs.

Disk

Magnetic media used to store information.

DL Envelope

A standard envelope size measuring 110mm x 220mm. Usually used with a letter that is folded into three equal sections (Z Fold).

Double Page Spread

Two facing pages of newspaper or magazine where the textual material on the left hand side continues across to the right hand side. Abbreviated to DPS.

Dot Gain

A printing defect in which dots print larger than intended, causing darker colours or tones; due to the spreading of ink on stock. The more absorbent the stock, the more dot gain. Can vary by type of ink as well.

DPI (Dots Per Inch)

The measurement of resolution for page printers, phototypesetting machines and graphics screens. Currently graphics screens reproduce 60 to 100dpi, most page printers work at 300dpi and typesetting systems operate at 1,000dpi and above.

Drilling

Drilling of wholes into literature to allow insertion into ring binders.

Drop Cap

A large initial letter at the start of the text that drops into the line or lines of text below.

Drop Shadow

Screen tint or rule touching an illustration, box or type to give a three-dimensional shadow effect. Also called flat shadow.

Dummy

Mock-up simulating the final product. Dummies range from very simple, showing only size or rough layout, to very complicated, showing position and color of type and art. Also called mock-up.

Duotone

The application of two colours to provide richer tones than a monotone.

Duplex

Printing on both sides of a sheet of paper. Simplex is one side only.