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.
  • Car-sign board
    A special grade of cardboard with a waste paper middle and liners of chemical wood pulp and/or shavings used chiefly for transit advertising posters.
  • CAS
    Computer-Aided Sign-Making. Refers to sign-related software and computer-driven, sign-making equipment.
  • Casein
    A protein substance usually obtained from milk used to make sizings, adhesives, and as a binder for aqueous pigment dispersion.
  • Cast (plastic sheeting)
    (1) Application of liquid plastic resins onto a moving belt or precipitating into a chemical bath to form a sheet; (2) An item shaped in a mold while in fluid or plastic state.
  • Cast coated paper
    Heavy clay coated paper dried under pressure against a polished cylinder to produce a highly glossy finish.
  • Cast film
    Plastic sheeting formed by spreading a molten mixture on a carrier sheet or web, baking at high temperatures to remove solvents, and fusing the material into a sheet.
  • Cast vinyl
    (1) Vinyl sheeting manufactured by coating the liquid compound onto a substrate, usually a polished chrome plated sheet, where it remains until it sets to form the plastic sheet; (2) Compounds such as vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate or similar esters, formed or molded into specified shapes, and sheets.
  • Casting
    The act of pouring slip into a mold; process of filling a plaster, metal, or sand mold to create an object.
  • Catalyst
    A substance that alters, initiates, or accelerates the velocity of a reaction between two or more substances without changing its chemical composition.
  • Catalyzed system
    Chemical compound, ink, or coating that contains a catalyst.
  • Cationic cure
    Occurs when an energized molecule reacts with cationically sensitive monomers to initiate polymerization.
  • Cause-and-effect diagram (fishbone diagram)
    A fishbone diagram used to determine the root cause of a problem, uses a graphic description of various process elements in order to analyze potential sources of process variation.
  • Caustic
    A chemical that can burn, eat away or destroy tissue.
  • CCD (Charged Coupled Device)
    Light-detection device used in many popular scanners, digital cameras, and video cameras that generates electrical current in direct proportion to how much light strikes areas of the sensor.
  • CCD array
    An arrangement of CCD sensors mounted in close proximity that allows for the simultaneous capturing of many pixels with one exposure.
  • CE mark
    Indicates product meets European Union for Standardization product safety testing requirements.
  • Ceiling limit
    A definite upper boundary, beyond which concentrations, such as of air contaminants, should not be permitted to exceed.
  • Cell
    A small etched depression in a gravure cylinder that carries the ink.
  • Cellosolve
    Trade name for ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, a relatively slow drying solvent used as a retarder.
  • Cellosolve acetate
    An acetate solvent used to test for full cure of plastisol ink. 
  • Cellulose
    A natural high polymeric carbohydrate derived from plant cell walls such as cotton, jute, and hemp.
  • Cellulose acetate (CA)
    A thermoplastic resin manufactured by the action of acetic acid and acetic anhydride on purified cellulose obtained from cotton linters.
  • Cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB)
    A thermoplastic resin manufactured by the action of a mixture of acetic and butyric acids and their anhydrates on purified cellulose.
  • Cellulose acetate propionate (CAP)
    A thermoplastic resin manufactured by reacting cellulose with propionic acid and propionic anhydride.
  • Cellulose nitrate (CN)
    A thermoplastic resin manufactured by the nitration of cotton linters with mixtures of nitric and sulfuric acids. (The first flexible transparent film base).