Terminology

Flexography is a method of printing utilizing resilient relief image plates of rubber or photopolymer material. Our Flexo Converters are designed for high speed printing of roll labels with the capability of color processing die cutting perforating and UV coating.

Flexography

Flexography is a method of printing utilizing resilient relief image plates of rubber or photopolymer material. Our  Flexo Converters  are designed for high speed printing of roll labels with the capability of color processing die cutting perforating and UV coating.

Plate Making

Making Plates or Printing Mats, for both internal and external utilization, involves the creation of art electronically and the photographic transfer of art to photopolymer plate through UV curing.

Offset Printing

A printing technique whereby ink is spread on by computerized digital technology and finally applied to paper by pressing the paper against the intermediary surface. Our digital presses have the ability to print rapidly and efficiently.

Common Label Terms

Helpful label terminology from L&DM Dominicana

Adhesive:

The glue substance applied to the back as a pressure-sensitive material for adhesion to surfaces.

All-temperature:

The type of pressure-sensitive adhesive designed for use at both room and colder temperatures.

Bar code:

One of several machine-readable codes used at retail, manufacturing, and shipping levels.

Bleed:

When the ink coverage of the copy runs beyond the cut edge of a label.

Butt cut:

A label made with square corners and no spacing between labels.

Carrier width:

Measurement of the liner or backer from edge to edge of the label or roll.

Cold temperature:

Refers to adhesives designed for application and performance at colder temperatures above freezing.

Color changes:

Refers to the wash-up and changeover of ink colors within a production run.

Color matches:

Refers to the mixing of ink colors to match a specific color requirement or PMS (Pantone Matching System) standard.

Color proof:

A pre-press color prototype typically supplied from laser, color print, color key, chromalin or press proof to approve prior to production.

Copy:

The printed image and/or wording on a label.

Coupon label:

A coupon made as a pressure sensitive label which can be applied to a surface and subsequently peeled off and redeemed as a dry coupon with no adhesive to the touch. Also called an IRC (instant redeem coupon).

Cut marks:

The lines on the outer edges of artwork and plates that show where the actual cut of the label will be.

Die:

The tool that cuts the shape of the label (often available in a label maker’s tooling inventory).

Die cut:

Refers to the cut that produces a label shape. In rectangles, it distinguishes rounded corners from the square corners common to butt cut labels and is a requirement for automatically applied labels.

Die line:

The outline of the die cut; often required to match artwork properly to the finished shape.

Direct thermal:

Imprinting process using heated pins to strike specially coated paper to produce an image.

Exact repeat:

Usually means a label reorder to the exact specifications as previously followed without change.

Face material:

Top layer of a label construction sometimes also called the substrate (i.e. paper, foil, mylar, vinyl, etc.)

Fanfold

Finishing labels with a perforation and zigzag fold so that it can be imprinted or used as continuous.

Fanfold length:

The distance from perforation to perforation on a fanfolded label.

Flexo:

The flexographic process of printing that uses round printing cylinders and cutting dies and requires roll materials into the press. It runs thin, fast-drying inks and raised-surface plates at high speeds.

Four-color process:

The print combination of magenta, cyan(blue), yellow, and black in dot patterns called screens, to produce a variety of graphics, images, or photos in all the color shadings desired.

Freezer temp:

Refers to pressure-sensitive adhesives designed for application and performance below 32�F.

Gradient:

The variation of printed dots from lighter to darker as a single or in multiple colors.

Halftone(s):

The use of dots to create a lighter-shaded version of a base color.

Label length:

The label’s dimension from one side to the other in the direction of the pull of the roll.

Label width:

The label’s dimension from one side to the other in the direction from one edge of the roll to the other.

Lamination:

The process of combining one or more surfaces together to accomplish a particular purpose.

Laser stock:

Face material, often paper, required when using heat and toner to produce an image.

Latex-impregnated:

Face material with rubber additive to improve moisture and weather resistance, and flexibility.

Liner:

The silicone-coated base material used to facilitate release of the adhesive coated face while holding it together during printing, die cutting and automatic application.

M:

Represents 1000 in the printing industry.

Matrix:

The waste face material around the die cut edges of a label that is stripped away and discarded.

Opaque adhesive:

Also called “greyback” or “block-out” used to eliminate any show- through of previous printing.

Overlaminate:

The application of a clear material (usually a lacquer coating, film, or UV) for appearance or protection.

Pattern adhesive:

The application of adhesive in a striped pattern for the purpose of a specific construction.

Perforation:

A series of cut and uncut areas used to aid in tearing, folding, or some other facilitation.

Permanent:

Common term for pressure sensitive adhesives designed to give a permanent or lasting bond.

Piggyback:

A multi-layered material made to allow for the secondary use or positioning of the label.

Pin feed:

Relates to the tractor-feed marginal holes required by certain impact imprint systems.

Plate:

The raised surface, usually of photopolymer or rubber, which transfers the ink to print an image.

PMS:

Pantone Matching System of color standards and matching, indicated by a universal number given to each specific color and shade.

Positive print:

Refers to any image that is created by the raised surface of a plate, like a rubber stamp. (See Reverse print)

Registration:

The correct placement of all colors and copy within a label or one color to another.

Release:

The chemical bond of the face to the liner allowing for proper converting, application and adhesion.

Removable:

A type of adhesive that is designed for clean removal from a surface(s).

Repositionable:

Refers to the ultra removable type of adhesive allowing for easy release and reapplication to most surfaces.

Reverse print:

The reverse of Positive print (above), where the raised plate prints ink all around the desired image.

Screens:

Any dot pattern used to produce various concentrations of color such as process, halftones, or gradients.

Tamper resist:

Labels created in any combination of fashions to defeat removal after application or indicate evidence of tampering with package integrity.

Thermal transfer:

Imprinting process that uses heated pins against a transfer ribbon to image a paper or film substrate.

Tints:

Solid ink coverage on a label.

Tool/Tooling:

Refers not only to cutting dies but also other mechanicals such as cylinders, sheeters, blades, punches, etc.

UV:

Stands for “Ultraviolet” which is a method of curing inks, coatings and laminations by ultraviolet light.