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.
  • Crease
    (1) A straight line fold; (2) A dent in wire cloth mesh.
  • Creaseability
    The ability to be creased or folded without the appearance of cracks, sharp lines or bending failure.
  • Creative Art for Screen Printing
    Archived SGIA Webinar: In this session, Dane Clement (Great Dane Graphics) will share some of his creative secrets for producing great artwork for screen printed apparel. He'll share ways for properly setting up and creating artwork using both vector and raster elements. Then learn the essentials for separating your artwork and printing out your separations to create stunning prints.
  • Creep
    (1) The lateral movement (cold flow) of an applied pressure sensitive label due to low cohesive strength; (2) The spontaneous spreading of liquid on a surface beyond the area for which it was intended; (3) Deformation or dimensional change with time of a plastic under load resulting from prolonged application of stress below the elastic limit.
  • Creeping
    The tendency of an insufficiently stretched screen mesh to move in the direction of the squeegee travel during the print stroke.
  • Cresol
    An isomeric phenol used to improve indirect stencil adhesion by attacking the nylon mesh causing it to be tacky and swollen. (Used very seldom as it weakens the mesh and has been found to be toxic).
  • Crimp
    (1) To fold and fasten a joint under pressure; (2) A wavy fiber or yarn structure in a fabric.
  • Crinkle
    A textural effect on enamel surface having the appearance of fine wrinkles or ridges.
  • Crizzle
    An imperfection of many fine surface fractures in the surface of the fired ink; (2) An imperfection of fine surface cracks in a glass article.
  • Crock
    A measure of resistance to deterioration of an imprint on fabric by rubbing or abrasion.
  • Crocking
    The rubbing-off (wet or dry) of surface color, occurs when a dye or pigment is not adequately fixed in the substrate.
  • Cromalin
    DuPont trade name for integral color proof.
  • Crop
    To opaque, mask, or trim part of an image to fit a designated area.
  • Crop marks (tick mark)
    Sometimes referred to as tick marks, small marks placed in the margin, denoting the live area or areas of an image to be reproduced.
  • Cropping
    (1) Indicates what portion of the image is to be included in the final reproduction; (2) Trimming unwanted areas of a photographic film or print.
  • Cross direction
    The position across the grain or at a right angle to the machine direction.
  • Cross hatch test
    A test method used to determine how well an ink adheres to a substrate, refer to ASTM D3359 Ink Adhesion Test (US).
  • Cross laminated
    Lamination made with layers of material applied at right angles over previously applied layers.
  • Cross linking
    (1) A long chain, joining of molecules to form a change in the physical structure and properties of a material; (2) Connecting crosswise in parallel chains the atoms or atomical groups in a complex molecule; (3) A chemical bridge formed between molecular chains to enhance internal film bond to a substrate.
  • C-stage
    The final stage in the reaction of thermosetting resin where the material is relatively insoluble and infusible; thermosetting resin in a fully cured state
  • Cubic centimeter (cm3)
    A measurement unit of volume in the metric system that is equal to the volume of a cube whose length, width and breadth each measure a centimeter, abbreviated cm3.
  • Cubic foot (ft3)
    A unit of volume that is equal to the volume of a cube whose length, width and breadth each measure a foot.
  • Cubic inch (in3)
    A unit of volume that is equal to the volume of a cube whose length, width and breadth each measure an inch.
  • Cubic meter (m3)
    A unit of volume in the metric system of measurement that is equal to the volume of a cube whose length, width and breadth each measure a meter.
  • Cubic yard (yd3)
    A unit of volume that is equal to the volume of a cube whose length, width and breadth each measure a yard.