Glossary Words - A
These are just the briefest of definitions of Desktop Publishing terminology starting with A. For more detailed descriptions see the individual page for each term.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Q X Y Z
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Q X Y Z
A sizes - A0, A1, A2, A3, A4 (ISO Sheet Sizes)
International paper sizes with A4 being roughly equivalent to letter size paper used in the United States...
International paper sizes with A4 being roughly equivalent to letter size paper used in the United States...
AAs
When a client asks for changes in the text or artwork...
When a client asks for changes in the text or artwork...
Absorbency
The ability of paper to absorb and hold ink...
The ability of paper to absorb and hold ink...
Accent Mark (Diacritical)
Used on some characters to denote a specific pronounciation...
Used on some characters to denote a specific pronounciation...
Accordian Folds
Zig-zag folds with 6 panels and two parallel folds...
Zig-zag folds with 6 panels and two parallel folds...
Acid Free Paper
Paper which has had the acid removed from the pulp...
Paper which has had the acid removed from the pulp...
Acknowledgment
Part of a book's front matter...
Part of a book's front matter...
Acrobat Reader
Software for reading PDF files created with Adobe Acrobat or other programs...
Software for reading PDF files created with Adobe Acrobat or other programs...
Additive Primaries
Colors that add up to white light...
Colors that add up to white light...
Adjacent Colors
Color wheel neighbors...
Color wheel neighbors...
Adobe Acrobat
Software used to create, edit, and work with PDF files...
Software used to create, edit, and work with PDF files...
Adobe Acrobat Distiller
Software used to turn PostScript files into PDF format...
Software used to turn PostScript files into PDF format...
Agate Line
A measure of a column, especially for advertising purposes, it is the measurement used in calculating a linear column inch...
A measure of a column, especially for advertising purposes, it is the measurement used in calculating a linear column inch...
Agate
Tiny type or a column depth of 5 1/2 points still used in newspaper publishing...
Tiny type or a column depth of 5 1/2 points still used in newspaper publishing...
Aliasing
Aliasing is when curves get ugly...
Aliasing is when curves get ugly...
Alignment
Lining up the top, bottom, sides, or middle of text or graphic elements on a page...
Lining up the top, bottom, sides, or middle of text or graphic elements on a page...
All Caps
Text set in all capital or uppercase letters...
Text set in all capital or uppercase letters...
Alley
The blank space between two columns of text...
The blank space between two columns of text...
Alpha Channels
Bitmap masks with transparency used in photo compositing and converted to clipping paths for hiding backgrounds...
Bitmap masks with transparency used in photo compositing and converted to clipping paths for hiding backgrounds...
Ampersand
The proper name for the symbol used to denote the word "and"...
The proper name for the symbol used to denote the word "and"...
Analog Proof (Prepress Proof)
Proof that uses inkjet, toner, dyes, overlays, photographic, film, or other techniques to give a close approximation of what the finished piece will look like...
Proof that uses inkjet, toner, dyes, overlays, photographic, film, or other techniques to give a close approximation of what the finished piece will look like...
Ancient (Old Style)
A style of font developed by Renaissance typographers to replace the Blackletter style of type. Based on ancient Roman inscriptions...
A style of font developed by Renaissance typographers to replace the Blackletter style of type. Based on ancient Roman inscriptions...
Anti-Aliasing
The process of getting rid of the jagged edges on fonts and bitmap images...
The process of getting rid of the jagged edges on fonts and bitmap images...
Antiqua (Old Style)
A style of font developed by Renaissance typographers to replace the Blackletter style of type. Based on ancient Roman inscriptions...
A style of font developed by Renaissance typographers to replace the Blackletter style of type. Based on ancient Roman inscriptions...
Antique Finish
The roughest texture offered in offset paper...
The roughest texture offered in offset paper...
Aperture
Partially enclosed, somewhat rounded negative space in some characters such as n, C, S...
Partially enclosed, somewhat rounded negative space in some characters such as n, C, S...
Apex
The point at the top of a character such as the uppercase A where the left and right strokes meet...
The point at the top of a character such as the uppercase A where the left and right strokes meet...
Apostrophe
The little squiggle that turns it is into it's...
The little squiggle that turns it is into it's...
AQ Coating
Wet paper?
Wet paper?
Archival Paper
Acid free (neutral pH) and lignin free paper...
Acid free (neutral pH) and lignin free paper...
Arm
The horizontal stroke on some characters that does not connect to a stroke or stem at one or both ends such as on F and T.
The horizontal stroke on some characters that does not connect to a stroke or stem at one or both ends such as on F and T.
Ascender
The upward vertical stem on some lowercase letters, such as h and b, that extends above the x-height...
The upward vertical stem on some lowercase letters, such as h and b, that extends above the x-height...
Asterisk
The star-like * is used in literature, math, computing, and many other fields...
The star-like * is used in literature, math, computing, and many other fields...
Asymmetrical
In page layout, typically off-center or created with an odd or mismatched number of disparate elements...
In page layout, typically off-center or created with an odd or mismatched number of disparate elements...
At Sign
The @ sign means each, at, or each at and is used in internet email addresses...
The @ sign means each, at, or each at and is used in internet email addresses...
Axis
An imaginary line bisecting the top and bottom strokes of a glyph used in determining the angle of stress...
An imaginary line bisecting the top and bottom strokes of a glyph used in determining the angle of stress...