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.
  • Dipentene
    A true chemical compound having higher solvent power and slower evaporation rate than turpentine, largely used as an anti-skinning agent in inks.
  • Dipropylene glycol
    An ether alcohol used as a resin solvent in the manufacture of some printing inks.
  • Direct color separation
    Separations made directly onto a film through a halftone screen.
  • Direct current (DC)
    Electric current where the electrons flow in one direction.
  • Direct drive
    A feature of some screen printing presses, where the surface to be printed is synchronized with screen/squeegee movement such as by a rack and gear driven mechanism.
  • Direct dye
    A class of dye used on cotton and rayon that works directly on the yarn without the aid of a fixative; (economical, not colorfast, and color not as bright as fiber reactive dye).
  • Direct emulsion
    A liquid light sensitive polymer emulsion coated onto a tensioned screen mesh and used as a screen printing stencil.
  • Direct fire
    A system of firing where burner gases are introduced into a lehr or kiln chamber in direct contact with the ware.
  • Direct halftone
    A halftone negative made by direct exposure through a halftone screen.
  • Direct illumination
    Images lit from the outside with floods, spots, etc.
  • Direct photoscreen stencil
    A photoscreen stencil made by coating light sensitive emulsion onto tensioned mesh, allowing it to dry, then exposing to a film positive preparatory to processing into a screen printing stencil.
  • Direct positive
    A photographic transparent positive made by exposing copy in direct contact with film, eliminating the necessity of making a negative first.
  • Direct print
    The imprinting directly onto the surface of a substrate.
  • Direct stencil (direct printing screen)
    Coating tensioned mesh with an emulsion, usually pre-sensitized, allowing the coating to dry, then exposing to a positive and developing to form the stencil.
  • Direct/indirect photoscreen stencil (combination stencil)
    A stencil made by adhering a gelatin coated sheet to the underside of tensioned mesh with a photo-sensitized emulsion applied from the print side through the mesh, after drying, the screen is exposed through a positive, developed, and the plastic support sheet stripped away.
  • Directional sign
    A display showing guidance information used both outside and inside buildings.
  • DIS
    Acronym for draft international standard. 
  • Disappearing guide
    A register guide (or stop) that mechanically retracts into the printing table on an automated press during the printing cycle.
  • Disappearing hook lock
    a device for connecting display elements.
  • Discharge agent
    A chemical zinc formaldehyde sulfoxylate that removes the color from a dischargeable substrate.
  • Discharge printing
    The printing of cotton garments that have been colored with a dye that can be dispersed and replaced by another color during the printing process.
  • Discoloration
    Any change from the original color or an unintended inconsistency of color.
  • Discrete component
    A thick film or thin film individually packaged electronic component or part having one or more films as resistive, conductive, and/or insulating elements.
  • Dishing
    Paper in piles where the edges are higher than the center, usually caused by absorption of atmospheric moisture by the exposed edges of the sheets.
  • Dispenser
    To distribute such as a device that feeds pressure sensitive labels either manually or automatically in convenient units.