Glossary of Printing & Technical Terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

F 

File format:

The system by which data is held in a particular type of computer file.

Finishing:

All the operations done after that actual printing.

Flatplan:

A drawing showing the total number of pages in a publication with the positions of advertising and textual materials.

Flexography:

A letterpress type printing process which uses a rubber or plastic plate.

Flush:

To align, to be even with (flush right to a margin for example). Also when the covers and sections are trimmed at the same time.

Foil blocking or stamping:

A metallic finish, or other embossed finishes applied by specialist equipment.

Folding:

The process of bending printed sheets in a specific area so the sheets can then be formed into pamphlets, brochures, booklets or any other type of product requiring this process.

Font:

One of a range of typeface families in which lettering can be produced during the type setting stage, e.g. Times New Roman, 10pt.

Four-colour process:

Reproduction of full-colour photographs or art with the four basic colours of ink (cyan, magenta, yellow, black).

Folio:

The page number marked on the page (which may be different from the actual page count).

Format:

Size, shape and overall style of layout or printed project.

FPO:

For positional only. Low resolution image used in page make up.

French fold:

Two folds at right angles to each other.

FSC:

Forest Stewardship Council. Body who provide registration and certification for wood based products. FSC Chain of custody certification provides a guarantee about the production of FSC-certified products. Chain-of-custodý is the path taken by raw materials from the forest to the consumer, including all successive stages of processing, transformation, manufacturing and distribution. For more information please click here. 

Full colour:

Or 'four colour process' using the four basic printing colours: cyan, magenta, yellow and black.

Fugitive colour:

A defective ink.