Glossary

The PRINTING United Alliance Glossary serves as an excellent industry terminology resource. It is the language by which we all communicate. Without it, universal understanding would be impossible.

To keep our constituents well informed about changes to the increasingly complex industry terminology, PRINTING United Alliance has developed this glossary of terms. Definitions are for general reference only. Usage may vary between companies, individuals, or national and country customs. The information presented is as accurate as the authors and editors can ascertain and PRINTING United Alliance assumes no responsibility for the use of information presented herein.
  • Capacitance
    The property of conductors and dielectrics to allow storage of an electrical charge when voltage is applied.
  • Capacitor (condenser)
    An electrical circuit element consisting of two metallic plates separated by a dielectric or insulating material such as glass, ceramic, mica, or other non-conducting material used to store an electrical charge temporarily.
  • Capillary action
    The movement of a liquid with or against the law of gravity, into a very small opening, usually tubular in shape, or as in a surface of closely matted very fine fibers. (Liquid penetration and flow rate in porous surfaces is dependent on pressure, surface tension, and radius of the opening, among other factors).
  • Capillary film
    A pre-sensitized, uniformly coated stencil film that is adhered to a water wet screen mesh under slight pressure through capillary action.
  • Capture
    Acquiring information, such as an image, with a scanner or digital-camera device.
  • Car topper
    A display that can be attached to the top of a car or truck either permanently or temporarily for either show room or street use.
  • Carbon adsorption
    Ability of treated carbon to attract and retain on its surface structure toxic vapors, such as from organic solvents.
  • Carbon arc (arc lamp)
    A light source of high actinic value, contains two carbon rods spaced slightly apart at the tips through which passes an electric current that bridges the gap between the tips, the resulting arc emits light extremely high in actinic value. (Note: Carbon arc lamps were once used for exposing photo stencil films and emulsions, but they have been largely replaced by other types of exposure units.)
  • Carbon black
    An intensely black, finely divided pigment obtained by burning natural gas or petroleum oil with a restricted air supply used for formulating black ink; also refer to channel black.
  • Carbon dust
    Fine granules of carbon residue resulting from the oxidation of the carbon rods while arcing in a carbon arc light unit.
  • Carbon entrapment
    Darkening of applied color labeling enamel and/or development of spongy structure due to sintering of a glass enamel before the vehicle is completely oxidized.
  • Carbon rods
    Cylindrical rods made of carbon granules bound together into a solid form for use in carbon arc lamp.
  • Carbon tissue (pigment paper)
    A dyed or pigmented gelatin-based photographic material coated onto a paper support that is exposed, developed, and adhered to the screen printing mesh forming a stencil.
  • Carbon tissue process
    The technique involved in making a screen printing stencil of carbon tissue film by exposure of the sensitized sheet and subsequent development and adhesion to the screen printing mesh.
  • Carbon/graphite ink
    A specially prepared suspension of carbon black used when the conductivity of a metal base system is not required, often printed over silver circuitry to reduce silver migration.
  • Carbonized mesh
    Monofilament screen mesh with threads that have been treated with carbon or have carbon cores to prevent the buildup of static electricity through friction.
  • Carborundum
    An abrasive solution of silicon carbide, the finer grade of which is used to abrade the surface of monofilament mesh.
  • Carcinogen
    Any substance that has the ability to cause cancer in a living organism.
  • Cardboard
    Layers of paper laminated into sheets of varying thickness, generally 0.006 inch (0.15 mm) or greater.
  • Carding
    (1) The removal of foreign matter, short fibers, seed, and tangles from cotton before it is spun; (2) Process of cleaning ink off the screen mesh after a print run.
  • Caret mark
    A symbol (_) indicating where an omission in the copy should be inserted.
  • Carnival glass
    An iridescent decoration produced by applying metallic salt over a glass body.
  • Carousel
    A multicolor screen printing device that typically has multiple platens that rotate around a central shaft.
  • Carriage
    A scanner's imaging head that moves down a page to capture an image. Also called optical-imaging element, optical-imaging head.
  • Carrier frame
    Device on the press that supports the printing screen frame during the press operation.