Commercial Color Offset Printing - a compendium of commercial printing terminology

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Uncalendered

Papers that are not smoothed by going through the calendering process.

Uncoated Paper

Paper that has not been coated with clay. Also called offset paper.

Under Run

Production of fewer copies than ordered. See over run.

Undercolor Addition

Technique of making color separations that increases the amount of cyan, magenta or yellow ink in shadow areas. Abbreviated UCA.

Undercolor Removal

Technique of making color separations such that the amount of cyan,  magenta and yellow ink is reduced in midtone and shadow areas while the amount of black is increased. Abbreviated UCR.

Universal Copyright Convention (UCC)

A system to protect unique work from reproducing without knowledge from the originator. To qualify, one must register their work and publish a (c) indicating registration.

Unsharp Masking

Technique of adjusting dot size to make a halftone or separation appear sharper (in better focus) than the original photo or the first proof. Also called edge enhancement and peaking.

Up

Term to indicate multiple copies of one image printed in one impression on a single sheet. "Two up" or "three up" means printing the identical piece twice or  three times on each sheet.

Upright

A term given to books bound on the longer dimension.

UV Coating

Liquid applied to a printed sheet, then bonded and cured with ultraviolet light.