5.1 Channel Surround Sound

The term used to describe a decrete six channel surround sound output. Where the "5" corresponds to the five full-frequency channels (left, right, center, left rear and right rear) and the "1" refers to the low-frequency channel or bass.

AC-3

The Dolby Digital standard for 5.1 Channel Surround Sound.

Adobe Acrobat

Program by Adobe that creates PDF's.

Adobe Illustrator

Design layout program by Adobe

Adobe InDesign

Design layout program by Adobe that is used for design layout. Handles multiple pages.

Adobe Pagemaker

Design layout program by Adobe that handles multiple pages. Has been replaced by InDesign .

Adobe Photoshop

Program by Adobe that is used for manipulating pictures and raster graphics. Best to create image in Photoshop, then place into design layout program. Doesn't handle text as well as layout programs.

Adhesive

A hot-melt or cold set glue used in binding

Adhesive Binding

Bookbinding by placing adhesive along the backbone edges of assembled sheets. The cover is applied directly on top of the adhesive. Examples are perfect bound and burst bound.

Against the Grain

Folding paper at right angles to the grain of the paper.

Anamorphic

The process of compression wide screen images, 1.78:1 or greater to fit into the standard 4:3 television screen format. The images are then expanded for viewing in their original format for wide screen televisions.

Artifact

An anomaly that occurs on a video image as a result of a problem in the encoding process. A common artifact on Digital Video is pixelation. Pixelation is the unnatural or blocking effect you might see in a black screen or a high action scene.

Aspect Ratio

The relationship between the width and height of a television screen. Standard televisions feature a 4:3 aspect ratio. Wide screen television offer a 16:9 aspect ratio. This becomes important when compressing video from film. Film is typically shot in 16:9 or greater aspect ratio but most televisions do not support this aspect ratio so the screen has to be modified to fit a standard TV.

Audio Streams

DVD has the ability to hold a maximum of eight audio streams on a single disc. This enhanced feature allows a producer to include multiple language tracks.

Authoring

The process of taking data assets such as; video, audio, text and graphics and combining them into a CD or DVD title.

Autoplay/Autorun

A feature of DVD or CD that allows the automatic playback of the disc.

B-Frame

A MPEG 1 or MPEG 2 Bi-directional compressed video frame that uses both the past and subsequent I-Frames as a reference to calculate compressed frame data.

Backbone

Also called spine of book

Banding

The appearance of stripes in print. Often occurs when printing gradients. Since the printer may not be able to translate the gradation smoothly. Thus appears more choppy to the eye.

Bandwidth

The amount of data that can be processed per unit of time.

Bindery

Where printed material is cut down into final size which may include binding into a book for final product.

Bit for Bit Test

An automated data verification between a duplicated or replica disc to the master source.

Bit Rate

A bit is a single binary unit. This is the smallest unit of information that a processor can handle. Bit rate refers tot he speed at which the processor can read and process data from the disc. DVD utilizes a variable bit rate. A higher bit rate for action scenes and a lower bit rate for talking heads.

Bitmapped

Appearance if have low resolution file. There is less information in the file to denote a transition. So edges appear blurry and have and appearance of steps.

Bitstream

Digital data designed to be processed sequentially and continuously.

Bleed

An area of print that extends beyond the trim size. Allows the print to go to the edges once cut.

BLER

Block error rate. The number of data blocks per second containing. The Red Book standard for number of errors per block is 220.

Block

A unit of information storage on media such as CDs and magnetic disks.

BMP

Bitmap. A DOS native graphic format. Not generally used in printing, since only one depth of color. Meaning can only print black and white, with no greyscale abilities.

Bonding

The process in DVD replication where 2 layers are permanently bonded together. This process produces a disc that is more resistant to warpage and offers the content provider with the capability to utilized both sides of the DVD disc.

Book Block

The gathered signatures of a publication before the cover is added.

Buffer

An amount of memory which temporarily stores data to help compensate for differences in the transfer rate of information

Buffer Under-run

An event that happens when the stream of data is interrupted and the data in the buffer runs out.

Burst Binding

A form of binding similar, but more durable than perfect binding. The spine of each section is perforated during the folding operation, which then allows the glue to be pushed up in the perforations during binding.

Burst Error

Errors detected in consecutive data bits on a CD often caused by scratches, fingerprints or other physical defects.

Case-Bound

A book with a stiff hard cover, which usually extends beyond the edge of the pages. More costly than using a soft cover, but more durable and higher perceived value. Includes side sewn, center sewn and perfect binding.

CD Duplication

The process of recording one or more CD-Rs.

CD Plus/CD

Extra Enhanced CD

CD Replication

The process of molding one or more CDs.

CD-DA

Compact Disc Digital Audio. The basic audio CD as specified by Sony and Philips in "Red Book"

CD-I

A CD format designed to allow interactive multimedia applications to be played through a computer attached to a television. Especially good for real-time animation, video and surround. This format is based on the "Green Book" specification.

CD-ROM

Compact Disc Read Only Memory.

CD-ROM-XA

"XA" stands for Extended Architecture. CD-ROM-XA is a subset of the Yellow Book standard was used as a bridge between CD-I and slower reading CD-ROM drives.

Center Sewn

Signatures are gathered one inside another and sewn at once through center of book.

Chapter

DVDs are indexed by chapter, similar to the way audio CDs have tracks. DVD players allow you to skip to a specific chapter or scene.

CIRC

Cross Interleaved Reed Solomon Code, the basic error detection and error correction code for CD.

CMYK

Acronym for four color process inks — Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black

Collate

To bring sections of work together in correct sequence.

Color Key

CMYK representation on the edge of a file.

Color Separation

Separating the graphic into the separate inks to be used to print the graphic. Including spot and CMYK. Used when outputting film for print or silkscreening.

Color Space

The parts of the visible spectrum that can be reproduced given the particular medium.

Comb/plastic binding

A curved plastic stirp inserted through slots punched along the binding edge of the sheet.

Composite Image

The opposite of color separation. It is a complete image, using all colors. A representation of what the expected output will look like.

Compression

The process of converting video and audio data into a more compact form for storage and transmission.

Content

Data assembled in the exact form to be duplicated to CD.

Copy

The text used in printed materials.

Copy Protection

A process, like Macrovision, used to prevent illegal duplication of video, CDs and DVDs.

Copyright

© A group of legal rights granted to author or creator of visual work.

Copy Writer

The individual who writes the "copy" for the layout.

Creep

Happens when creating a multi-page book. The center pages of the book sticks out farther than the pages near the front and back cover.

Crop Marks

Marks in art file, showing where to trim the page. Placed outside of design, so will not print in actual print area.

Darwin

Plug-in for Macintosh version of QuarkXpress, that handles variable data.

Data Stream

The constant stream of information being fed to the decoder. This stream contains all the information needed to decode and view the image.

Digital Printing

A system of printing, which involves linking the printer with computers, which bypasses the traditional printing plates.

Decoder

A circuit or software application that determines the content of a data stream and performs digital to analog conversion of picture and sound elements.

DFE (Digital Front End)

The RIP used to process the files to the printer.

Digital Video

A Video signal represented by computer-readable binary numbers that describe colors and brightness levels.

Digitize

The process of turning an analog signal into a digital data.

Disc Menu

The main menu of a DVD-Video title where the end-user selects system menu information or chapters selections.

DLT

Digital Linear Tape. A robust tape standard used to store the master DV content after it is authored and is ready for replication.

Dot Gain

Happens when halftone dots are applied to paper. The wet ink spreads, causing the the dots to gain size, and halftones appear darker.

DPI

Dots Per Inch. Represents the resolution of a file. 72 dpi is used for screen, and for digital printing we need 300 dpi for effective results. The more dots per inch, the more halftones available to represent the continuous tone of an image. Thus appearing less bitmapped, rugged and fuzzy.

Drill

Process in bindery when drilling holes in a page for final binding. (ie: perhaps placing pages in a 3 hole binder)

Duplication

Duplication is the process through which you "burn" the original content file from the master to a recordable CD or DVD. Though it is a faster method of production than replication, it is less efficient in quantities above 1,000. We generally only use duplication for orders under 1,000 CDs, or when time is of the essence.

DVD Check Disc

Typically 10 to 20 DVD replica discs as a sample test pressing for clients to check authoring and compression of their DVD projects.

DVD-5

Single sided, single layer disc with 4.7 GB of storage capacity

DVD-9

Single sided, double layer disc with 8.5 GB of storage capacity.

DVD-10

Double sided, sinlge layer disc with 9.4 GB of storage capacity.

DVD-18

Double sided, double layer disc with 17 GB of storage capacity.

DVD-R

DVD-Recordable disc with 4.7 GB of storage.

DVD-RAM

Rewriteable DVD disc with 2.6 GB of storage capacity. The down fall to this format is it's lack of standardization.

Emulsion

The chemically treated side of photographic film. The dull side not the shiny side. Film may be requested as "right reading" emulsion up or down.

Encoder

The circuit or software application that digitizes and compresses video streams.

EPS

Encapsulated Postscript File. A vector based graphics file.

Error Correction

The algorithm used to correct errors when retrieving and decoding information from a disc.

Face Trim

Used in bindery after a book has been created. (ie: if book is saddle-stiched) there is creep involved, so face trim makes the outside edge have a clean cut.

File

A collection of data stored on a disc.

File Structure

A defined way of storing files, directories and information.

Film

Created when silkscreening or using standard offset printing. Film is output, representing each color being used in the printing process.

Finishing

all postpress operations, including folding, trimming, assembly sections.

Flattened Image

When a design file that was built with layers has been flattened into one layer. Makes manipulating a file or changing a file more difficult. A program like Photoshop that is raster based, makes it almost impossible to make any changes.

Fonts

Different styles of text used in design layout. Different fonts give the layout different feels. Must be loaded on to computer in order to have the design appear on screen and print as designed. Can avoid font issues, by turning the text into outlines/paths. Thus turning the text into graphics. Example: Every Good Boy Does Fine (each word is a different font)

FPO

For Position Only. A low resolution placed into graphic, to be replaced by full resolution file when printing. Used often to save memory, and time to load the file.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol. Method of uploading/downloading files to/from internet server system.

GIF

An 8 bit (256 colors or shade of grey) or less computer file. Low resolution files used for web design. Fine to use as guide for layout, but not for printing, due to resolution.

Gigabyte or GB

A gigabyte represents on billion bytes of information. A byte is a grouping of binary codes that are processed together by a CPU. Eight bits of binary code equal one byte of data.

Glass Master

A piece of glass which is used as the first step in creating a stamper or tooling. The glass is etched with data using a photoresist process.

Gold Master

A CD-R or DVD-R master that contains the content or application that is ready for duplication or replication.

Gradient

Color fading and changing to another color. Occurs by changing the dot size of the color gradually, so color output changes. Very difficult to print. Often will find banding in print area.

Graphic

a non text item to be printed.

Graphic Design

Uses graphics and text to communicate through different mediums.

Green Book

Specifications for the CD-I format as developed by Philips.

GSM

(Grams per square meter)- Term that describes the weight/thickness of the paper. The higher the GSM the heavier the stock.

Halftone

A reproduction of continuous tone image using fine dots of varying size and spacing to reproduce the shades and texture of the original. (ie: grey is halftone of black. If you take for example 20% of black you will have a light grey.) When outputting film, it would appear on the black film, as smaller dots.

HFS

Hierarchical File Structure. The file format used in Apple Macintosh computers.

I-Frames

These frames of MPEG 1 or MPEG 2 encoded video work to reduce data by providing a full frame reference of the video image. The I-Frames identify the entire background and are initial reference frames for bi-directional (B-Frames) and P-Frames.

Imposition

Positioning multiple images up on one sheet.

Inch

Unit of measurement equal to (6) picas or (72) points.

Injection Molding

The process in which a CD is manufactured. A stamper or tooling is mounted in the mold and once each cycle, polycarbonate in injected in the the mold to create a CD.

Input Media

The device the CD content is provided to the duplication facility. Such as; CDR, Jaz or Zip.

ISO 9660

The international standard file format for files on CD-ROM. ISO 9660 is a cross platform format. It has a restrictive file naming convention called "character set D". It based on the primitive 8.3 file name limitations and you are limited to A-Z, 0-9, . and _.

Joliet

This is a CD format created by Microsoft as a subset to the ISO 9660 format. Joliet supports long file names. Up to 64 characters and is not limited to character set D restrictions.

JPEG

Joint Photographic Electronic Group. A standard of compressing an image. It does result in data loss due to compression.

Kern

To adjust the lateral space between individual letters

Kitted

Item that we have archived at Paragon. Masters and art. A kit number is assigned to particular job, thus allowing the client to re-order without having to send it to us again. Ensures we are running the correct master, and printing the correct art.

Lands

The portion of a CD or DVD track that is flat and reflects light.

Layers

When designing, designers use layers in the design program. It helps them control certain objects and pieces of the design. Gives them ability to lock, hide and manipulate certain items only. (ie: perhaps they are creating many similar files, they can make the background it's own layer, and put the different text items on other layers. Then turning off certain layers, so you only see the ones you want. Or putting a template on it's own layer, so you can turn-off, so doesn't print)

Leading

The space, measured in points, between consecutive lines of type.

Links/Linked images

A graphic used in a art layout. Graphic images are often linked to the file, to make the design layout file smaller, and easier to handle. So when art is provided to pre-press, they would receive the native design file, and any linked images or fonts used. Some programs may place a low res image FPO, then when you print it replaces it with a high res image.

Lithography Offset

Most common commercial printing method. Ink is offset from printing plate to rubber roller than to paper.

Macromedia Freehand

Design layout program by Macromedia.

Master Source

The source where the original content is duplicated from.

Match Print

A color proofing system developed by 3M.

Metalizing

The step in the CD process were aluminim is sputtered on the surface of the disc to provide reflectivity.

Mixed Mode CD

A Mixed Mode CD is the interleaving of Red Book audio tracks and Yellow Book data tracks. In a sense, a audio CD and a data CD combined. This format is not appropriate for replication.

MPEG-1

A digital signal compression developed by the Moving Pictures Expert Group, a division of ISO, (Internation Standards Organization). MPEG-1 achieves approximately one fourth the resolution of broadcast television.

MPEG-2

MPEG-2 delivers 30 frames of video playback per second with a variable bit rate compression rate as high as 200:1. MPEG-2 can achieve broadcast quality video. MPEG-2 is utilized by DVD, HDTV and DBS video.

Multimedia

A combination of media used for entertainment, education and communication.

Multisession CD

This is a CD format that allows the end user to record data to a CD in multiple sessions. The format is not appropriate for replication.

Outlines

See Paths

P-Frame

As a part of MPEG-2 decoding, P-Frames are constructed by analyzing previous frames an estimating where objects will appear in successive frames.

Paths

Coverting fonts to a graphic image. When done, you no longer need the fonts to load the file, however you cannot make any text changes at this point.

PDF

Portable Document File. A format developed by Adobe for transfer of designs across multiple computer platforms. Used in proofing as well as for printing.

PDF/X-1A

PDF format, that creates print ready pdfs.

Perfect Binding

A book binding process which involves gluing the pages together at the spine and to the cover of the book.

Photo CD

A proprietary format developed by Eastman Kodak for storing photographic images.

Pica

A unit of measurement equal to (12) points or (1/6) of an inch.

Pits

Holes burned or molded into a CD track.

Pixel Depth

The amount of data used to describe each colored dot on the computer screen. Monochrome is 1 bit depth. Greyscale is 8 bits depth. RGB is 24 bit depth. Images to be printed CMYK should be 32 bit depth.

Playback Platform

The end-user's computer system for running the application.

PMS Color (Pantone Matching System)

A proprietary color system for choosing specific spot and process colors.

Point

a unit of measurement equal to 1/12th or 1/72nd of an inch. Used in the design process.

Postscript

Programming language optimized for printing graphics and text. (Page Description Language) Developed to help describe images in a device dependent language. (.ps is an extension for postscript files) This has mainly mostly been replaced by pdf files.

Postscript error

Error that occurs in translating the file when goes to print. (Maybe a result of a corrupt image on the page.)

Pre-Flight

Various printed related services, used before ink I put on printing press. Includes opening files to make sure everything is included such as fonts and links. As well as making sure files are set-up to proper specifications for what is being printed.

Pre-Press

see pre-Flight

Press proof

A sheet of paper used as reference while printing. Used to show client what design will look like when printed.

Print Ready

Print ready files are files that nothing needs to be done to them to make ready for printing . (For example a pdf with crop marks and dielines included. At a high printable resolution. One just opens and sends to printer)

Printing

The process of applying ink to paper. Or toner when digitally printed.

Process Color

The process of reproducing an image using CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black). The individual color halftone dots blend to create full color to the eye.

QuarkXpress

Design layout program. Handles multiple pages.

Rastor Image

Image that is quality is determined by total number of pixels (resolution). Cannot be scaled to higher resolution w/o loss of quality. Better for photographs and photo-realistic images. (ie: tif/jpg)

Red Book

The standard created for CD-DA by Sony and Philips. The reason they call it "Red Book" Standard is due to the fact that the standards are published in a red binder.

Registration

The alignment of the different colored inks as they are applied to paper. If inks don't align properly they can leave white gaps, and be called "out of registration or alignment". Also used to describe the alignment of an image on front to back of paper if printing double-sided sheets.

Replication

Replication is a manufacturing process that creates CDs or DVDs through injection molding. From the original master, a "glass master" is created. From that, a "stamper" is made that fits into the mold, and transfers the information from the original master to the disc that has just been molded. This process becomes cost efficient in quantities of 1000 or more. Replication has a longer lead-time than duplication, requiring 7 to 10 days for production after the master has been received, and the proof for the screen imprint has been approved.

Resolution

The amount of pixels of data in the image. ie: 72 dpi, has 72 dots per inch. 300 has 300 dots per inch. Thus the higher the resolution the more data the file has to tell us. With more dots per inch you can show a transition of color with more detail. This makes an image appear smoother and less bitmapped.

RGB

(Red, Green, Blue) The colors used to represent the color on a computer screen.

RIP

(Rastor Image Process) we have CREO RIP. Translation of postscript printing information to the printer.

Saddle Stich

A book binding process, where pages are bound together by staples through the spine of the book.

San Serif

A type face that has noc tails or curled points (serifs) at the ends. (ie: Helvetica, Arial)

Score

To create a crease. Scoring heavy paper helps to avoid cracking

Serif

The curls and points that are part of some type faces (ie: this Times font)

Sewn Binding

A bookbinding method using threads to hold signatures together

Side-Stitching

Securing sections of a book by inserting stitches through the first sheet to the last.

Signature

a printed sheet after it has been folded. Usually as 4,8,16 or 32 pages. Term used along with binding options. (ie: signatures gathered and glued into book as in perfect binding).

Soft Cover Binding

Usually has paper covers with flush-trimmed text. Though you can incorporate case bound options, the most popular softcover method is perfect bound.

Soft Proof

PDF proof

Spot color

Single colors applied to printing, as opposed to process colors.

Spiral Bound

Process of binding a book using a wire inserted through holes punched along the binding side..

Spread

A design that consists of 2 or more facing pages.

Stock

paper or other material to be printed and bound.

Stuff-It

Mac program that compresses files into a zipped file. (You would use this is moving mac files through a pc, thus keeping the mac integrity of the files. Or to make a file smaller for example to e-mail) Uses the extension .sit or .sitx.

Substrate

Polycarbonate material that encases and protects the stamped data on a disc.

Template

A file giving the proper dimensions and layout for printed item. Given to client so art may be set-up properly before we receive it.

Thermoplastic Binding

Perfect or burst binding. A form of binding in which pages are attached to cover by means of heat set plastic adhesive.

TIFF

Tagged Image File Format. (TIF) A bitmapped file format used for the reproduction of continuous tone images.

Tooling

The nickel plate used in the molder to mold the data into the CD.

Trapping

The process of closing gaps between different color inks, as they appear on page. Trim Marks: Marks placed on copy to indicate edge of page fro trimming. Also known as crop marks.

Vector Image

Object oriented or drawings defined mathematically as series of points joined by lines. Easily edited, modified or scaled. (ie: eps)

White Book

The standard created for Video CD by Sony and Philips. Again, the reason it is called "White Book" is due to the fact that it is published in a white binder.

Wire-O Binding

Continuous double series of wire loops run through punched holes along the binding side of book.

With the grain

folding paper parallel to the grain of the paper.

Yellow Book

The standards created for CD-ROM by Sony and Philips.

Zip files

Format of compressing files into one file for the purpose of compressing for e-mail or keeping the integrity of the files intact when transporting. Used both on mac and pc.