Glossary - L

Laid

Paper with a watermark pattern showing the wire marks used in the paper making process. Usually used for high quality stationery.

Laminate

A thin transparent plastic coating applied to paper or board to provide protection and give it a glossy finish.

LAN

Local Area Network. A group of connected computers in a relatively small area that share access to printers and other peripheral devices.

Landscape

Work in which the width used is greater than the height. Also used to indicate the orientation of tables or illustrations which are printed 'sideways'. (see Portrait).

Layout

A sketch of a page for printing showing the position of text and illustrations and giving general instructions.

Lead or Leading

Space added between lines of type to space out text and provide visual separation of the lines. Measured in points or fractions therof. Named after the strips of lead which used to be inserted between lines of metal type.

Legend

The descriptive matter printed below an illustration, mostly referred to as a caption. Also an explanation of signs or symbols used in timetables or maps.

Letter fold

Two folds creating three panels that allow a sheet of letterhead to fit a business envelop. Also called barrel fold and wrap-around fold.

Letterpress

A relief printing process in which a raised image is inked to produce an impression; the impression is then transferred by placing paper against image and applying pressure.

Letterset

A printing process combining offset printing with a letterpress relief printing plate.

Letterspacing

The addition of space between the letters of words to increase the line-length to a required width or to improve the appearance of a line.

Library picture

A picture taken from an existing library and not specially commissioned. Also referred to as "clipart".

Ligature

Which are joined together as a single unit of type such as oe and fi.

Lightface

Type having finer strokes than the medium typeface. Not used as frequently as medium.

Linen tester

A magnifying glass designed for checking the dot image of a halftone.

Lines per inch

Linear measure of screen ruling expressing how many lines of dots there are per inch in a screen tint, halftone or separation. Abbreviated lpi.

Lithography

A printing process based on the principle of the natural aversion of water to grease. The photographically prepared printing plate when being made is treated chemically so that the image will accept ink and reject water.

Logo

Short for logotype. A word or combination of letters set as a single unit. Also used to denote a specially styled company name designed as part of a corporate image.

Loose leaf

S method of binding which allows the insertion and removal of pages for continuous updating.

Lower case

Small letters in a font of type.