A

ABHESIVE

A material that resists adhesion. Abhesive coatings are applied to surfaces to prevent sticking, etc.

ABRASION RESISTANCE

The inherent ability of a surface to inhibit deterioration or destruction by friction. Also called `rub or scuff resistance’, it relates to the toughness of an ink or coating. Refer NS & IM.

ABRASIVENESS

The tendency of a paper, coating or ink to abrade or wear away die edges, slitting blades, printing type, plates, etc., by friction. Refer NS.

ABSORBENCY

That property of a porous material which causes it to take up liquids or vapours.

ABSORPTION

The penetration of one substance into the mass of another. ie. Ink absorbed into paper.

ACCELERATE

To hasten the natural progress of an event or a series of events. To speed up a reaction or process. ie. This can be accomplished by using heat, fast drying solvents, moving air or using chemical agents in inks to cause a reaction. ie.

Drying an adhesive or sealer faster than normal by increasing the temperature.

Adding an accelerator (Chemical), to Ultra Violet inks to assist a faster cure.

Refer NS & IM.

ACCELERANT – Chemical. (Not to be confused with Accelerated Aging)

A material (catalyst), added to a liquid compound to convert the whole mass into a solid, or speed up its cure as in Ultra Violet Inks. (Was known as ACCELERATOR – misnomer)

ACCELERATED AGING

Procedures for subjecting pressure sensitive label stock to special environmental conditions in order to predict the course of natural aging. (Can also be printed for ink & paper aging tests combined).

Refer NS, LM & IM.

ACETATE

A plastic synthesised from cellulose dissolved in acetic acid which exhibits rigidity, dimensional stability & ink receptivity. Transparent or matt films, sometimes used for label stocks.

ACETATE FILM

A clear film made from cellulose acetate.

ACID-FREE PAPER

A paper made for use where acid is harmful to the material with which that paper is in contact. (See Neutral Papers or pH Value).

ACIDITY

A general term applying to paper on the Acid side of neutral (Degree of Acidity).

ACRYLATE RESINS

A type of copolymer used in UV inks, adhesives and coating formulations.

ACRYLIC

A general chemical term of a particular family of thermoplastic resins based on acrylic acid and its derivatives.

ACRYLIC BASED ADHESIVE

A pressure sensitive adhesive based on high strength, acrylic polymers. Can be coated as a solvent or emulsion system.

ACRYLIC EMULSION

A water based latex made with acrylic polymers, used in coatings and adhesives.

ACRYLIC INK

Ink containing acrylic polymers used for printing on some plastics and other substrates, especially where outdoor exposure may be involved.

ADHERE

To stick or hold fast. To bond; to cause two surfaces to be held together by adhesive (Stuck).

ADHERENCE

See Adhesion

ADHEREND

The substance or surface to which the adhesive is applied. ie. Face Stock.

ADHESION

The quality or condition of sticking together or holding fast two surfaces – one to the other. Term is also used to describe the measure of strength with which one material sticks to another. Refer NS & LM.

ADHESION BUILD-UP

An increase in the ‘peel’ adhesion value of a pressure sensitive material after it has been allowed to dwell on the applied surface.

ADHESION, MECHANICAL

Adhesion caused by the physical interlocking of the adhesive with the base surface irregularities of the adherend.

ADHESION, PEEL

The measure of the force required to remove a pressure sensitive material from another surface at a specified angle and speed, after the material has been applied under specific conditions. Refer NS & LM.

ADHESION PROMOTER – See PRIMER

ADHESION, SHEAR

A measure of the time required to slide a specific sized area of pressure sensitive label material from a standard flat surface in a direction parallel to that surface. Weight and heat are sometimes used to accelerate the test. Refer NS & LM.

ADHESION, SPECIFIC

The adhesion to a specified surface.

ADHESION TEST

Any of a variety of test methods used to determine the adequacy of ink, coating or adhesive adhesion to a substrate. Refer NS, LM & IM.

ADHESION, ULTIMATE

The mature or final bond achieved, under controlled conditions, between ink, coating or adhesive to any flexible or rigid substrate.

ADHESIVE

A substance capable of holding materials together by surface attachment.

ADHESIVE BLEED

Ooze – Adhesive ooze, flow or excretion from between pressure sensitive material or label and the surface to which the material or label is bonded, as a result of cold flow or edge ooze. Refer NS & LM.

ADHESIVE BUILD-UP

The transfer of adhesive from pressure sensitive label material to label machinery parts during conversion or applicator parts during dispensing and applying of labels. Also may be transferred from leading edge of sheets in laser or ink-jet printer hoppers and photocopiers. Refer NS & LM.

ADHESIVE, COLD TEMPERATURE

An adhesive that will induce a bond to cold surfaces in a cold environment. Refer NS & LM.

ADHESIVE DEPOSIT

See Adhesive Residue. Refer NS & LM.

ADHESIVE FILM

Thin layer of dried adhesive (1 – 3 mils) provided in dry film form, with or without reinforcing material, which is cured by means of heat and pressure. (Iron-on Labels).

ADHESIVE, HIGH TEMPERATURE

An adhesive that will enable a pressure sensitive label material to withstand sustained high temperatures. Refer NS & LM.

ADHESIVE, PERMANENT

An adhesive characterised by relatively high ultimate adhesion. May be removed if the force used overcomes the bond, however permanent is considered non-removable under normal circumstances. Refer NS & LM.

ADHESIVE, PRESSURE SENSITIVE

A type of adhesive which in dry form is aggressively tacky at room temperature. It has the capability of promoting a temporary bond to dissimilar surfaces on contact, but needs pressure to complete the action of being stuck – hence pressure sensitive label. Refer NS & LM.

ADHESIVE, REMOVABLE

An adhesive characterised by relatively high cohesive strength and low ultimate adhesion. It can be removed easily from most surfaces. Some adhesive transfer could take place depending on the affinity of the adhesive to the surface to which it is stuck. Refer NS & LM.

ADHESIVE RESIDUE

The pressure sensitive adhesive remaining behind on a surface due to cohesive or priming failure when a pressure sensitive label is removed from that surface. This also refers to the release from the liner or backing. Refer NS & LM.

ADHESIVE SPLITTING

Failure within the adhesive mass when labels are placed under stress or removed. If splitting occurs, part of the adhesive remains on the substrate, and part on the labelled object. Appearance is like stringing of adhesive or like stringing chewing gum.

ADHESIVE STRIKE-THROUGH

When adhesive penetrates through the face material of a pressure sensitive label. Also called Migration of adhesive. Refer NS & LM.

ADHESIVE TRANSFER

The transfer of adhesive from the label to the surface of the labelled article. Refer NS & LM.

AFFINITY

Chemical attraction – The attraction between the adhesive and the surface to be labelled.

AGED RELEASE

After premature aging in a laboratory – The force required to remove a release liner from an adhesive after a measured period of time, often at elevated temperatures in controlled test conditions. Refer NS & LM.

AGING

The change or changes undergone by a material or adhesive as a result of the passage of time, or adverse climatic changes. Refer NS & LM.

AIR DRIED

Forced air drying of coatings or inks. (Usually heated air). Refer NS & IM.

ALCOHOL

A colourless flammable liquid (organic solvent) used as a solvent in flexographic inks.

ALIGNMENT (Line-up)

Refers to the relative alignment of printing stations to each other and to die stations on a label press. Also used to describe the relative position of a scanner or light source to a bar code.

ALLIGATORING

Term used to describe the appearance of an adhesive, coating or sealer film that is cracked into large segments. Also called Cracking or Crazing.

AMBIENT TEMPERATURE

A term used to describe the temperature of the surrounding air. Atmosphere. Refer NS & LM.

ANALYSIS

The division of a substance into its constituent parts with the purpose to examine or determine their relationship to each other. Refer NS & LM.

ANCHORAGE

The specific adhesion of a pressure sensitive adhesive to a face material or an anchor coat. Refer IM.

ANILINE DYES

Coal-tar derivatives classified according to the degree of fastness to light or brightness. Basic dyes have extreme brightness, but are not fast to light. Acid dyes are less brilliant, but have greater light fastness. Direct dyes are much more fade resistant than basics and, in some cases, than acid dyes.

ANILINE PRINTING

Early name for rubber plate printing, using fast-drying liquid inks.

ANILOX INKING

In flexography, a two roller inking system consisting of a smooth roller which sits in an ink trough and transfers the liquid ink to an engraved metal roller with cells of a fixed size that then transfer the ink controllably (metered) to the plate.

ANILOX ROLL (ROLLER)

Mechanically engraved steel or chrome coated or ceramic metering roller used in flexographic printing presses to meter a controlled film of ink from the contacting rubber covered doctor roller to the printing plates which then transfer the ink to the web. Volume of ink is affected by the cell count per linear inch and dimension of the cell and cell wall of the engraving. Sometimes manufactured from copper and chromium plated steel, but ceramic rollers, which are laser engraved, are becoming more common.

ANTIOXIDANTS

Agents which retard the action of oxygen in substances subject to oxidation.

ANTISTATIC AGENTS

Ingredients in coatings that make the coating antistatic.

ANTISTATIC BAR – DEVICE

A bar or device fitted to a Label machine that disperses static to ground.

ANTISTATIC COATINGS

Coatings applied to one or both surfaces of a substrate to reduce the electrostatic build up, so that the material can be further processes. ie. Sheeted, stacked, collated etc.

ANVIL CUT LABELS

A pressure sensitive label which has been die-cut through all components of the label stock, including the liner, steel to steel cut. Full punch out of labels.

ANVIL ROLLER

Hardened steel roller upon which bearers of a rotary die cutter ride which also provides the hardened surface for die cutting.

APPLICATION

Refers to a pressure sensitive label actually being adhered to a product.

APPLICATION TEMPERATURE

Temperature of the product or ambient air at the time the label is applied. Note: Most adhesives have a minimum and maximum application temperature rating. Refer LM data sheets to clarify this, however if in doubt, testing of labels or labelstock on the product is highly recommended. Refer NS & LM.

APPLICATOR

A device that automatically feeds and applies pressure sensitive labels to a product.

APPLICATOR ROLLER

Coating, print, tint, lacquer or varnish roller, or laminating roller that actually applies any of these to a substrate.

AQUEOUS

Water containing or water based. Refers to adhesive or inking systems which use water as the carrier or vehicle. Refer IM.

AQUEOUS INKS

Inks produced utilising a water base.

ARTIFICIAL AGING

The accelerated testing of specimens to determine a change in properties, carried out over a short period of time. Such tests are indicative of what may be expected of a material under actual service conditions over extended periods. Refer NS & LM.

ARTWORK

The original design, including drawings, sketches and text produced by the artist (graphic). This may be presented as a black and white art sheet with colour overlays, or in disk format for a computer printout using laser printers. All elements of the design should be representative of the completed work and printing plates should be able to be made from the artwork or disc.

ASPECT RATIO

The ratio of height to width of a bar code symbol.

AUTO IGNITION POINT

The temperature at which mixtures of solvent vapour and air will ignite without the aid of a spark or flame.

AUTOCLAVE

A pressurised, steam heated vessel generally used for sterilisation. In label application, label must endure a cooking process by superheated steam under pressure. Refer to Labelstock manufacturers’ data sheets. Label tests are highly recommended.

B

BACKGROUND

The area surrounding a printed symbol.

BACKING

Refers to the carrier sheet of a material in a pressure sensitive lamination as opposed to the face material. Usually has a release coating applied so that the adhesive will not stick too tightly to it. Release liner, backing paper, carrier, etc.

BACK PRINTING

Refers to printing on the underside of a pressure sensitive substrate or laminate, ie. on the adhesive or back of liner.

BACK SLIT

A cut in the liner, usually along the web, but can be on the back of sheeted pressure sensitive laminate to allow the face stock to be easily peeled away by hand when die cutting has not been used.

BACK SPLIT (See Split Back)

BAGGINESS

A slack, floppy area usually caused by gauge variation. The material has been stretched and is actually longer in that area. Can be caused by tight, uneven winding of the labelstock by the manufacturer.

BALL-UP

Specific term to describe the tendency of an adhesive to stick to itself; cohesiveness. Such an adhesive, when rolled between the fingers, will not spread smoothly but will roll up in small spheres.

BAND LABEL

A paper wrap-around for use on cloth bags, envelope packaging, bulk banknotes, etc.

BAR

The dark element of a printed bar code symbol.

BAR CODE

In optical reading, a system of symbols (lines) which identifies data through length, position size or thickness of lines or symbols. Codes are normally machine printed, but can be computer generated.

BAR CODE DENSITY

The number of characters which can be represented in 25.4mm (1 lineal inch).

BAR CODE READER

A device used to identify and read a bar code symbol.

BAR LENGTH

The bar dimension perpendicular to the bar width.

BAR WIDTH

The thickness of a bar measured from the edge closest to the symbol start character to the trailing edge to the same bar.

BAR WIDTH REDUCTION

Reduction of the nominal bar width dimension on film, masters or printing plates to compensate for printing gain (squash).

BARE CYLINDER DIAMETER

The diameter of the actual plate cylinder, before the stickyback and plates are mounted.

BARRIER COAT – Also known as SEALER COAT, PRIMER or TIE COAT

A coating applied to the face material on the side opposite to the printing surface to provide increased opacity to the face material and/or to prevent migration between adhesive and the face material and provide anchorage of adhesive to face material. Refer LM & IM.

BASE

The major constituent, other than pigments and filler, comprising the non-volatile portion of an adhesive, coating or sealer compound.

BASE ROLL – See ANVIL ROLL

BASIC SHEET SIZE

The size of a sheet of paper which is used to determine paper weight. (1 square metre). Although sizes may vary depending on the type of stock and the country where the measure is made.

BASIS WEIGHT

The weight in kilograms of a ream (500 sheets) of paper cut to a given size.

BATCH COUNTER

Device used on a sheeter, stacker or fanfold unit to count and group sheeted or fan-folded labels.

BEARER

Type-high supports mounted or moulded around each end of a printing plate to help carry part of the impression load and to help prevent roller bounce. Also the load bearing surface(s) of a rotary die, usually positioned at each end of the die. Refer O.

BEARING BLOCK

A device that holds the die in place and upon which pressure is added so as to effect the actual die cutting function. Pressure is almost always applied directly over the bearers at each end of the die. Refer O.

BEND TEST

A means of testing the flexibility of an adhesive, coating or sealer compound at a specified temperature. The compound is applied to metal, dried or cured, and after conditioning at a specific temperature, bent over a mandrill to determine the product’s resistance to rupture. Refer NS.

BIAX

Biaxially oriented material, that is, oriented in the machine and transverse directions.

BI-DIRECTIONAL READ

The ability to read data successfully whether the scanning motion is left to right or right to left. (As in supermarket bar code readers)

BI-DIRECTIONAL SYMBOL

A bar code symbol which permits reading in complimentary directions.

BINDER

An adhesive substance, usually in liquid form, used to create adhesion between aggregates. Distinguished from an adhesive in that it performs an internal adhesive function rather than a surface adhesive function. Also the component of an ink that supplies the cohesiveness.

BIT

An abbreviation for ‘binary digit’. A single character in a binary number.

BLACK-AND-WHITE

Originals or reproductions in single colour or monochrome, usually refers to artwork.

BLEED

When the printed image extends beyond the trim edge of the label, it is called bleed.

BLEEDING

The diffusion or migration of an ink or adhesive or dye into an area where it is not wanted. The spreading or running of a pigment colour by action of a solvent. Also the diffusion or migration of an adhesive into the face material.

BLEED THROUGH

See Penetration – Migration.

BLOCKING

Undesired adhesion between the plies in rolls of pressure sensitive label stock usually due to adhesive ooze, improper drying on inks, or improper curing of coatings, often to the extent that damage to at least one surface is visible upon their separation if they can in fact be separated. The same applies to sheets.

BLOCKING TEST

A test used to measure the tendency of surface to surface sticking. Refer NS.

BLOW UP

An enlargement of artwork or photograph.

BODY STOCK – See Face Material

BOLD FACE (TYPE)

Name given to type that is heavier than type text with which it is used. Heavy face, in contrast to light face type. Used for emphasis in captions, sub-headings etc.

BOND

To attach materials together by adhesives.

BONDING RANGE

The time during which satisfactory bonds can be made. A bonding range of from 10 to 30 minutes indicates that maximum bonds can be achieved between 10 and 30 minutes. Times vary according to adhesive properties and the article to which the label is stuck to. Refer LM specification sheets and NS.

BONDING STRENGTH

In paper, the force with which the fibres adhere to each other. In surface coatings, such as inks, varnishes and adhesives, the strength with which the dried coating adheres to the surface of the substrate. Also refers to the degree of adhesion of a pressure sensitive face material to any surface. Refer NS & LM for test procedure.

BOUNCE

The abnormal reaction to compression, which results in erratic rotational movement of the cylinders, causing missed or imperfect impressions. Can also occur with a rotary die, causing imperfect die cutting.

BREAK – See JOIN

A term used to denote a tear in a roll of face material or release liner. Such defects are generally spliced and marked by a protruding flag or stamped with a rubber stamp. Term is Break or Join.

BREAKING

The operation of passing material over a dull edge which `breaks’ the adhesive layer, retarding curl and improving water absorption when re-moistened for use.

BRIGHTNESS

The reflectivity of a sheet of paper for blue light measured under standardised conditions on a particular instrument designed and calibrated specifically for the purpose. Strictly speaking, brightness is not a colorimetric quantity. Refer NS & LM.

BULK

Term used to denote the thickness of a sheet or relevant thickness according to the basis or substrate weight of a sheet. A bulky sheet refers to one lacking compactness, resulting in a lighter weight for a given thickness. Refer LM specification sheets.

BURN

Common term used for printing plate exposure.

BURSTING PERF – (Perforation)

A fold perforation that permits ease of mechanical bursting.

BURSTING STRENGTH

The pressure required to rupture a material specimen when it is tested in a specified instrument under specified conditions. It is largely determined by the tensile strength and extensibility of the material. Refer NS for test procedures.

BUTT CUT LABELS

Rectangular or triangular labels in a continuous form separated by a single knife cut to the liner across the web. Usually rectangular.

BUTT LABELS – See BUTT CUT

BUTT ROLL – See STUB ROLL

BUTT SPLICE

An end to end joining of two similar materials. For continuity of surface, design, etc. Often used in stickyback, printing plates and webs of substrates in process.

BUTTED RECTANGLES

Die cut rectangles butted to each other with no around and/or across matrix to remove.

BUTTED TRIANGLES

Die cut triangles butted to each other with no around and/or across matrix to remove.

BYTE

Computer terminology – 8 bits = 1 byte.

C

C

Commonly used as symbol for 100, ie. ‘C’ note = $100.

C1S PAPER

Abbreviation for coated one side paper

CAD/CAM

Computer assisted Design – Computer Assisted Make-up or Manufacturing.

CAKING

The collecting of dried ink on rollers and plates.

CALENDER BLACKENING

A term descriptive of darkening of the intended shade of paper by excessive calendering wet paper.

CALENDER CUTS

Defects caused by creasing or cutting of the web of paper during calendering due to wrinkles in the web.

CALENDER FINISHED

A term applied to any paper with a surface glazed by means of a calender stack.

CALLIPER – THICKNESS

The thickness of paper measured under specified conditions, and usually expressed in grams per square metre or microns. Can also be given as thousands of an inch. Refer to Labelstock Manufacturer’s Specification sheets. Refer relevant National Standard for test procedure.

CAMERA READY – (Artwork)

Copy which is ready for photography. See Artwork.

CARRIER

Sometimes used to refer to the liner material of pressure sensitive labels. Also a term used to describe the stock to which two (2) layers of adhesive are applied in a double adhesive construction. Refer LM.

CAST COATED

A high-gloss enamel finish.

CAST COATED PAPER – GLOSS PAPER

A paper, the coating of which is allowed to harden or set while in contact with a finished casting surface. Cast coated papers usually have a high gloss finish. Refer LM.

CAST FILM

Plastic sheeting manufactured by the casting process, as opposed to the extruding process.

CAST VINYL

Vinyl sheeting manufactured by coating a liquid vinyl acetate or similar ester onto a casting paper and curing in a heated oven.

CATALYST

A substance which has the capability of initiating or accelerating the speed of a reaction between two (2) or more substances when introduced into their presence. ie. The chemical (In this case – the photo-initiator) that is in Ultra Violet cured inks that reacts to exposure to Ultra Violet light and causes a catalytic reaction. ie. The `curing’ of the ink.

CAVITY

Usually refers to the engraving on a rotary die cutter that die cuts a single shape.

CELL

A small engraved or etched depression in an anilox roller that carries the ink to the plate.

CELLULOSE

Fibrous substance of wood, cotton and other vegetable matter.

CELLULOSE FIBRE

The fibrous material remaining after the non-fibrous components of wood have been removed by pulping and bleaching operations. Used in paper making.

CELSIUS or CENTIGRADE

The metric scale of temperature where ‘0’ represents the freezing point of water and ‘100’ represents the boiling point of water. Also called CENTIGRADE.

CENTIGRADE – See CELSIUS

CENTIPOISE

One hundred of a poise; a unit for measuring viscosity.

CENTRAL IMPRESSION (Machine)

A press with a number of printing units around a large cylinder which serves as the impression cylinder against which the substrate rides.

CERAMIC ANILOX ROLLER

Engraved inking roller used in flexographic printing. New techniques in manufacturing allow for vastly improved anilox roller performance and life.

CHALKING

A form of coating deterioration characterised by the formation of a loose, chalk like powder on the film surface.

CHARACTER

A single group of bars and spaces which represent an individual number, letter or punctuation mark.

CHARGE

Usually refers to the degree or type of electrical property carried by a substrate. (Static electricity).

CHECK DIGIT

A digit included within a symbol whose value is based mathematically on other characters included in the symbol. It is used for the purpose of performing a mathematical check to ensure the accuracy of the read. (Bar coding)

CHECKING – CRAZING

The presence of hairline cracks in a varnish coating, a lacquer coating, a film or in an adhesive.

CHEMICAL CURING

The setting or curing of an adhesive, coating or sealer brought about by the addition of a catalyst, accelerator or photoinitiator.

CHEMICAL RESISTANCE

The resistance of a pressure sensitive label to the deteriorating effects resulting from exposure to chemicals under specified conditions.

CHILL ROLL (ER)

Metal roller or drum cooled internally with water, etc. Often used after press dryer to cool the printed web prior to die cutting, rewinding, etc.

CHOKE

An image whose edges have been pulled in slightly from those of the original. The image area remains essentially the same except for a narrow strip of reduction around its perimeter.

CHOKES and SPREADS

Overlaps of overprinting images to prevent colour fringes or white borders around image detail due to slight register shifts during printing.

CHROMATIC SCALE

The colours of the spectrum: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Violet.

CIRCUMFERENTIAL REGISTER – See RUNNING REGISTER

CLARITY

Degree of clearness.

CLAY COATED

A term used to describe a paper with a clay coating on either one or both sides.

CLAY COATING

The operation of coating paper and paperboards with clay containing an adhesive as a binder.

CLEAR AREA

A required clear space, containing no dark marks, which precedes the start character of a symbol sand follows the stop character. Also known as the Quiet Area.

CLEAR COAT – See VARNISH

A coating that protects the printing and the surface of a pressure sensitive label from abrasion, sunlight, chemicals, moisture, or a combination of these. Refer NS & IM for test procedure.

COAT, DOUBLE

Generally applies to two (2) successive coats of adhesive, coatings or sealers applied to one (1) surface.

COATED PAPER

General term applying to all papers which have been surface coated with pigments.

COATING – See VARNISH – See FLOOD COATING

In printing, an emulsion, varnish or lacquer applied in-line or off-line, often over a printed surface to give it added protection.

COATING WEIGHT

The weight of a coating per unit area. ie. gsm = grams per square meter.

COAT, SINGLE

Applies to single (1) coat of adhesive, coating or sealer to surface.

COBWEBBING

A filmy, web-like buildup of dried ink or varnish that appears on the doctor roller or at the end of the impression rolls. (Flexography)

COD – C.O.D.

Cash On Delivery. Customer must pay in full at time of delivery. Shipper retains title to goods until carrier obtains remittance.

CO-EXTRUSIONS

Film produced by more than one extruder through a common die. Films have been made with as many as 13 layers.

COHESION

The internal strength of an adhesive mass; resistance to flow, and resistance to failure in the adhesive when labels are removed or are under stress. Cohesive Strength.

COHESION FAILURE

The mode of failure wherein the adhesive splits, leaving some residue on the labelled surface and part on the label.

COHESIVE STRENGTH

Other terms used are: Cohesion; Internal Bond; Shear; The internal strength of an adhesive. A measure of which its resistance to forces parallel to the surface. ie. Resistance to adhesive splitting. Refer NS for test procedure.

COLD CRACKING

The breaking or shattering under stress of plastic coatings that have become brittle due to lowered temperatures.

COLD FLOW

The tendency of a pressure sensitive adhesive to act like a heavy, viscous liquid over long periods of time. Such phenomena as ‘oozing’ or ‘increases in adhesion’ are the results of this characteristics. Refer LM Specification Sheets.

COLD TEMPERATURE ADHESIVE

An adhesive that will enable a pressure sensitive label to adhere or stick well when applied to a cold substrate, often in cold ambient temperatures. Refer LM Specification Sheets.

COLLATING

Assembling in proper order. (Sheets of numbered paper or different colours, etc.).

COLOUR CORRECTION

Any method such as masking, dot-etching, re-etching, and/or electronic scanning used to correct for colour errors in process inks.

COLOUR FASTNESS

Colour permanence. Colour Stability. That property of a pressure sensitive labelstock to retain its colour in normal storage or to resist change in colour when exposed to light, heat or other deleterious influences. This also applies in more common terms – to the ‘colour fastness’ of the inks and varnishes. Refer NS & IM for Colour Fast Ink test procedure.

COLOUR KEY

A series of coloured films used to check individual colours and stripping. When overlaid in printing sequence it will produce a multi-coloured image. A Colour Key is limited to Yellow, Orange, Dark Blue (Reflex), Magenta, Cyan, Black, White, Gold, Brown, Green, Red, Beige and any combinations thereof. Basically a photographic positive of the separation negatives in generic colour.

COLOUR MATCHING

To duplicate the hue, value and intensity of a given colour sample usually by blending appropriate elements. ie. Considering the colour of the paper, plastic, wood, etc., as well as the colour of the ink.

COLOUR PERMANENCE

See Colour Fastness.

COLOUR PROCESS

A reproduction of any subject where the colours are separated by any method utilising at least three (3) Primary Process Colours – Yellow, Magenta and Cyan. Using half-tone or Crystal Raster plates to produce intermediate colours and shades. Line-work and screen-work can be utilised.

COLOUR PROOF

A printed or simulated printed image of each process colour (Yellow, Magenta, Yellow & Black), using inks, toners or dyes to give a simulated impression of the final printed reproduction. Colour proofs are now most often generated by computer. However, the only real test of the plates and colours, is to print the labelstock on the machine to prove the colours.

COLOUR RETENTION – See COLOUR FASTNESS

The property of a colour to resist fading or other deterioration on exposure to light.

COLOUR SEPARATED ART

See Pre-separated Art.

COLOUR SEPARATION

The process of separating coloured originals into Yellow, Magenta, Cyan and Black printing negatives. Mostly done on computer controlled scanners.

COLOUR STABILITY – See COLOUR FASTNESS.

COLOUR STATIONS

Each printing section of the press or set of rollers used to print each individual colour.

COLOUR TRANSPARENCY

A full-colour photographic positive image on a transparent support from which colour separations are usually produced. Can be viewed with the aid of a lighted transparency viewer.

COLORANT

The colour portion of an ink; may be a pigment, dye, or a combination of the two.

COMBINATION PLATE

A single engraving which includes both line and half-tone.

COMBINATION PRESS

That type of label press that can be added to with printing processes usually not standard to that press. An example of this would be a flexographic press that has a foil stamping module attached that can be removed and replaced with a rotary letterpress unit.

COMPATIBILITY

The ability of ink, film, substrate and/or solvents to function together in an acceptable manner.

CONDENSED TYPE

Proportionally narrow or slender type faces.

CONDITIONING

Process of subjecting material to specific temperature and humidity conditions for stipulated periods of time. Refer LM Specification Sheets.

CONFORMABILITY – See FLEXIBILITY

The ability of a pressure sensitive material to yield to the contours of a surface (curved or rough).

CONSISTENCY

Usually refers to the general body characteristics of an ink or other coatings.

CONTINUOUS CODE

A bar code or symbol where the space between characters (inter-character gap) is part of the code.

CONTINUOUS LABEL – Also see EDP LABELS – Also known as ZIG ZAG

Fan-folded labels manufactured from a continuous web of label stock which is not cut into units prior to execution. Usually prepared in flat Zig Zag format in boxes. Continuous labels are mostly used for data processing applications.

CONTROLLED RELEASE

A release level greater than that provided by an unmodified release coating.

CONTROLLED RELEASE ADDITIVE

A material added to silicone release coatings to create the desired higher release level.

CONVERTER

Refers to that type of manufacturer who produces plain or printed rolls, sheets, bags or pouches etc., from rolls of film, foil or paper, including pressure sensitive.

COPIER LABEL

A label in sheet format (usually A4) designed for overprinting by a plain paper Photocopier. May also be used in Laser printers and Ink-Jet printers.

CO-POLYMER

Two (2) or more mixed monomers which, when polymerised, yield a complex product having properties different from either simple polymer alone.

COPY

Any furnished material (manuscript, pictures, artwork, etc.) to be used in the production of printing.

COPY PREPARATION

Directions for desired size and other details for illustrations, and the arrangement into proper position of various parts of the label being prepared for reproduction. Work being carried out for the preparation of artwork for reproduction.

CORE

A tube on which paper, film, or foil labels are wound for shipment. Also the metal body of a roller which is rubber covered .

CORE HOLDER

Device for affixing core to shaft; core chuck.

CORE PLUGS

Metal, wood or compressed paper plugs which are driven into the paper core of the finished roll to prevent crushing or other damage to the core and material. Also known as Bungs.

CORNER RADIUS

Describes the arc or curvature of the die blades where they meet so that they can impart a rounded corner to a die cut label. Refer O.

CORONA TREATING

An electrical discharge which is used to raise the critical surface tension of low or inert substrates thereby enhancing printability.

COUPON

Removable label either supplying information or having redeemable value. They may be pressure sensitive or non-pressure sensitive.

COVERAGE

Ink or coating mileage (meterage); the surface area covered by a given quantity of ink or coating material. In flexography, the extent or degree to which a base material is covered, coloured, or hidden by an ink or coating. Refer IM.

CRACKING – See CRAZING

CRAZING

The appearance of a network of small cracks in a varnish coat or a plastic facestock.

CREEP

The lateral movement of a pressure sensitive label on a surface due to low cohesive strength.

CROMALIN

One-piece colour proofing for four (4) colour process.

CROP

To eliminate portions of the copy (indicated by crop-marks).

CROP MARKS

Marks made on the outer edges of artwork to designate the area to be printed.

CROSS DIRECTION

The direction across the web. Papers are weaker and are affected more by changes in relative humidity in the cross direction than the grain direction.

CRUSH CUT

A cut made by a rotary blade in contact with an anvil or base roller.

CRUSH SCORE – See SCORE

CRUSHED CORE

Core that gives way and becomes out-of-round either from too much tension or a bump.

CRYSTAL RASTER – See STOCHASTIC

C.S.A.

Canadian Standards Association.

CURE

To change the properties of adhesive, coating or ink by chemical reaction. The ‘curing’ of inks uses high intensity mercury vapour lamps commonly called UV lamps, whereas the ‘curing’ of rubber requires considerable heat and pressure. ‘Curing’ is achieved by condensation, polymerisation or vulcanisation.

UV curing usually takes 1/40th of 1 second, depending on the colour, layer thickness of ink and the speed that the substrate passes under the lamp. Usual rule of thumb is one (1) lamp per 50 meters minute. Refer IM.

CURING TEMPERATURE

Temperature to which an adhesive, ink or coating is subjected to for curing. Refer IM.

CURING TIME

The time/temperature combination required to bring about the desired level of cure without chemicals or polymerisation.

CURL

The tendency of material by itself or in a laminate to bend or partly wrap around the axis of one of its directions. Curl is often caused by humidity or improper tension. Sometimes it can be defeated by using a de-curling bar set-up on the paper unwind of a machine.

CURTAIN COATING

A method of coating which may be employed with low viscosity resins or solutions, suspensions, or emulsions of resins where the substrate to be coated is passed through and perpendicular to a freely falling liquid ‘curtain’ (or ‘waterfall’). The flow rate of the falling liquid and the linear speed of the substrate are coordinated to control the thickness of coating desired.

CUT

An expression commonly used to designate an engraving or photographic print. Also to dilute an ink, lacquer, varnish, etc., with solvents or with a clear base; to thin; Also known as dilution. Used to describe the penetration of a difficult surface so as to permit adhesion. To cut paper is the expression used to denote paper that is to be reduced in size to specific measurements by guillotining.

CUT-OFF

In web printing, the cut or print length corresponding to the circumference of the plate cylinder and/or die cutter; repeat length.

CUT RULE

Steel rule blades designed to cut materials being produced on flat-bed die cutting equipment (stations).

CUTS

The number of rolls slit from a master roll.

CYAN

A subtractive primary colour which reflects blue and green light and absorbs red light.

CYLINDER

In flexography and rotary letterpress, most rollers in the press are called rolls with the exception of that upon which the plates (rubber, cyrell, etc.) are mounted, and the one which receives the impression. These are usually referred to as cylinders, ie., plate cylinder, impression cylinder.

CYREL

Du Pont’s trademark for photopolymer plate material.

D

DARK REACTION

Ultra Violet (UV) inks usually turn solid at the bottom of the can when the shelf of the material has expired. It is called this because it occurs in the absence of light, oxygen, and normal ink bodying agents. Refer IM.

DEBOSSED

An indent or cut in design or lettering of a surface.

DECKLE

The straps (deckle ruler) on the wet end of a paper machine which prevents the fibres from overflowing the sides and which determines the width of the web of paper which can be run on any given machine.

DECORATIVE SHEET

A laminated plastic sheet used for decorative purposes in which the colour and/or surface pattern is an integral part of the sheet.

DEFOAMER

A substance or mixture of substance which when added to foaming solutions causes small bubbles to collect into large bubbles which then rise to the surface and break (burst).

DELAMINATION

The separation of a material into layers in a direction approximately parallel to the surface. The partial or complete separation of the layers of a laminate. Refer NS.

DENSITOMETER

Instrument that measures reflected or transmitted light. A reflection densitometer is used as a control instrument to check uniformity and consistency of colour print. Refer NS for test procedure.

DEPTH OF FIELD

The range between the maximum and minimum distance from which a symbol can be read.

DESTATICISATION

Treating plastic materials to minimise their accumulation of static electricity.

DESTRUCTIBLE LABEL – See TAMPER-PROOF LABEL

DETACKIFICATION

The destroying of the tack or stickiness of a pressure sensitive adhesive.

DIAMOND SCREENING – See STOCHASTIC

DIE

Any of various tools or devices used for imparting or cutting a desired shape, form or finish to or from any material. A device in converting machinery used for cutting only the face material of a pressure sensitive laminate or for punching out shapes from the entire laminate or any other material.

DIE ADAPTOR

A device used to modify a die station of one type of press so that it will accommodate dies originally designed to be used on different presses.

DIE BLADES

Sharpened, thin steel blades used in flat or rotary dies. Also refers to blades on machine engraved or EDM (Electronic Discharge Machining) manufactured rotary dies.

DIE CUT

To cut labels with a die. The line of severance between a pressure sensitive label and its matrix or adjoining labels made by the cutting edge of a die. A term used to describe a label formed by die-cutting.

DIE CUT LABEL

Pressure sensitive labels mounted on a release liner from which the matrix has been die cut and removed. Refer NS & O.

DIE CUTTING

The process of using dies or sharp steel rules to cut any shape for labels. Refer NS & O.

DIE HOLD-DOWN ASSEMBLY

A steel block incorporating bearings which apply pressure to the bearer surface of a rotary die cutter through pressure screws. Can be calibrated.

DIE LIFE

Meterage expected from a new die or that expected following a re-sharpening of a die. Estimates of life of a die depend on machine, labelstock, adhesive and operator handling. Estimates of meterage vary significantly. Some companies charge re-sharpening or a new die whenever a repeat order is produced.

DIE LINES

A hand drawn or computer generated layout of the die cut shape or shapes on a clear or matt finish acetate or mylar. Used for layout.

DIE STAIN

Used to check die cutting accuracy. Usually done with diluted ink applied to the die cut surface of the backing or liner material. The ink seeps into any fractures of the silicone coated surface thereby exhibiting the problem areas. Refer NS.

DIELECTRIC

Dielectric values refer specifically to the insulating value of a material; a non-conductor of electric current.

DIELECTRIC PAPER

A dense, well formed, chemically pure paper used as an insulating material in electrical equipment to prevent the flow of electrical charges.

DIELECTRIC STRENGTH

The voltage which a material will withstand without allowing passage of the current through it.

DIFFERENTIAL RELEASE

A release liner with release coatings on both sides. One side has easy release while the opposite side is tighter such that the adhesive stays with the tighter side during winding and other subsequent converting.

DILUENT

A liquid used to thin ink. Refer IM.

DIMENSIONAL STABILITY

That property of a material which enables it to resist length, width, or thickness changes under varying conditions of heat, cold, moisture and other influences; ability to hold size, consistency of dimensions.

DIRECT THERMAL

Printing method utilising heat impinged upon a specially coated substrate so the heat turns the surface selectively black. A simple test to establish whether a substrate is direct thermal image or not, is to light a match and hold it near the substrate, close enough to discolour but not burn. A light bulb should produce the same effect.

DISCOLOURATION

Any change from the original colour, or an unintended inconsistence of colour.

DISCRETE CODE

A bar code or symbol where the spaces between characters (inter-character gap) are not part of the code.

DISHING – See TELESCOPING

DISPENSER

A device that feeds pressure sensitive labels, either manually or automatically, presenting them ready for application by hand or mechanical means. It can serve as a package for the labels as well (dispenser boxes).

DISPENSING EDGE

A relatively sharp edge around which the liner (backing material) is pulled in order to dispense a pressure sensitive label from that backing.

DISPERSION

A uniform distribution of solid particles in a vehicle.

DISTORTED

Intentionally compensating for shrinkage, stretch, etc. of a flexographic printing plate.

DISTORTION COPY

Copy which is intentionally distorted in preparation, in order to compensate for the effects of dimensional changes due to subsequent processing. Flexographic rubber plates require such allowances to compensate for shrinkage, etc.

DOCTOR BLADE

A thin flexible blade mounted parallel to and adjustable against the surface of an engraved anilox roller for the purpose of scraping off excess ink or coatings.

DOCTOR ROLL (ROLLER)

The fountain or metering roller in a flexographic press which doctors off the excess ink or coating from the engraved anilox roller.

DOT

The individual element of halftones. All the dots in a halftone plate have equal density and spacing, but to create the photographic reproduction effect (in colour or black on white) the dot count will vary in area.

DOT ETCHING

Chemically reducing halftone dots to control the amount of colour to be printed. Dot etching negatives increases colour; dot etching positives reduces colour.

DOT GAIN or SPREAD – Also See DOT GROWTH

A printing characteristic in which dots print larger on the paper than they are on the films, causing darker tones or colours.

DOT GROWTH

The increase in size of a dot from the film to the printed sheet. Dot gain consists of two (2) parts; physical dot gain and optical dot gain due to the physics of light absorption and reflection.

DOT MATRIX

A printing machine (Dot matrix printer) that is controlled by a computer or other such equipment, that produces an image by firing a series of pins or hammers (9 or 24 pin), against a ribbon and then onto paper usually backed by a hard rubber roller or similar hard surface.

DOUBLE COATED

A pressure sensitive product consisting of a carrier material with similar or dissimilar adhesives applied to the two (2) surfaces and wound with a silicone release paper (liner).

DOWNTIME

Any non-productive time caused by equipment malfunction, roll (paper) changes, plate or die problems, etc. Non-productive time. Maintenance time. Employee absence.

DRAW-DOWN – See MEYER ROD

A method of determining colour shade by drawing down a small amount of ink with a meyer rod.

DRIER

In ink making, it is any substance added to ink to hasten drying. Salts of certain metals that hasten the drying action of oils when added to coatings or sealers. The metallic salts most commonly used are those of lead, manganese and cobalt. Also part of the printing press through which the web travels in order to receive heat etc. to effectively dry (force) the ink or coating. Also spelled ‘dryer’. Does not include Ultra Violet Curing as this is a catalytic reaction. Refer IM.

DRIERS – As DRIER

DRIVING SIDE

That side of a flexographic press on which the main gear train(s) are located. Also gear side; opposite of operator side. Back of machine.

DROP-OUT

To knock out colour from behind another colour so that the first colour will not effect the appearance of the second colour.

DRY EDGE – See SELVEDGE

The edge of paper or film where there is no adhesive, This makes for easy removal of the release liner. Sometimes called Selvedge.

DRY LAP – See PATTERN COATED

DRYER – See DRIER

DRYERS – See DRIER

DRYING TUNNEL

A tunnel fitted with heaters (usually infra-red or hot air blowers) constructed to allow the printed web to pass through and speed up the drying process with water based, alcohol and oil based inks.

DRY SEAL ADHESIVE

One which is non-blocking except to itself. Two adherends may be pre-coated, dried, then bonded at any time using only nominal pressure.

DWELL

Refers to the length of time pressure is applied to a pressure sensitive label during production. The time that a hot-stamp, embossing head, or thermal die remains in contact with the surface of a pressure sensitive material. Also that time a pressure sensitive material remains on a surface before testing the adhesion or removability. Refer NS for test procedure.

DYES

Synthetic or natural organic chemicals that are soluble in most common solvents, characterised by good transparency, high tinctorial strength, and low specific gravity.

DYE TESTS – See DIE STAIN

DYNE LEVEL

Dyne is the measurement of surface tension or energy. The level is the actual reading of the critical surface tension. Low dyne levels indicate a low surface energy which can contribute to poor ink adhesion. Refer NS.

E

EAN

European Article Numbering system. This is the international standard bar code for retail food packages.

EDGE CURL – See CURL

EDGE GUIDE – See WEB GUIDE

EDGE LIFT

The edge of a label rising from the labelled surface. This condition occurs most frequently on small diameter curved surfaces. Resistance to edge lift is dependent on the bond strength of the adhesive and the flexibility of the facestock.

EDM DIE

Die produced using electronic discharge machining. Dies made with this process will last longer than standard dies. Refer O.

EDP

Electronic Data Processing. Refers to web format, fanfolded and sprocket punched pressure sensitive labels, usually blank, for use on pin-feed dot matrix computer printing equipment. Term is not used for A4 sheets, even though they may be used in conjunction with computers.

ELASTIC MEMORY

A tendency of some materials to attempt to return to their original length after being elongated.

ELECTRONIC PRE-PRESS

CAD – Computer Assisted Designing of new labels from conceptual through to the separated, stepped films required for plate making.

ELECTROSTATIC PRINTING

A method of printing in which the ink is affixed to the web by electrostatic methods.

ELEMENT

A single binary position in a character, also dimensionally, the narrowest width in a character-bar or space.

ELLIPTICAL DOT

Elongated dots which improve gradation of tones particularly in middle tones and vignettes.

ELMENDORF TEST

A standard test for determining the tearing strength of paper. Refer NS.

ELONGATION

The distance a material will stretch lengthwise before breaking, expressed as a percentage of original length. Elongation is not necessarily an indication of conformability. Refer NS.

EMBOSSING

Impressing surface with dies to produce a relief image or texture. Often utilising a set of matched male and female dies to get the desired effect. Can also be combined with hot foil stamping in one (1) action.

EMULSIFICATION

The process of dispersing one liquid in another when the two liquids normally do not mix.

EMULSIFYING AGENT

Substance used to produce an emulsion of two liquids which do not naturally mix.

EMULSION

A type of mixture wherein two or more immiscible (unmixable) materials are held together in a homogeneous mixture by the action of a third agent. The term ‘emulsifying agent’ is applied to the material which is added to hold the emulsion together.

EMULSION SIDE

The side of the photographic film coated with the silver halide emulsion.

ENCAPSULATED INK

Ink encapsulated with a coating giving a free flowing dry system which can be activated by heat or pressure (NCR – No Carbon Required as opposed to Carbon Paper).

ENCAPSULATION

The process of encapsulating or trapping a substance (ie. Fragrance) within a coating so that it can be applied like an ink on a printing press.

ENCODED AREA

The total lineal dimension consumed by all characters of a code pattern including start/stop codes and other relevant data.

ENGRAVED ROLLER – See ANILOX ROLLER

Rollers available with various surface finishes such as chrome or ceramic. These transfer rollers have mechanical or laser engraved cells.

ENGRAVING

A general term normally applied to any pattern which has been cut into or incised into a surface by hand, mechanical or etching process.

ENGRAVINGS

Old style zinc printing plates.

ENHANCED SPECTRUM

Ultra Violet energy is normally generated by vaporising mercury in a medium pressure quartz tube which emits a spectrum with specific energy level peaks. Changing the material in the lamp from mercury to another element produces a different (enhanced) spectrum with additional peaks or shifted energy peaks.

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency.

EVAPORATION

The changing from the liquid to the gaseous or vapour state as when the solvent or water leaves the printed ink film.

EXOTHERMIC

A reaction which produces heat as a by product of the reaction process.

EXPOSE

To subject (a sensitive film, plate, etc.) to the action of a light source.

EXTENDERS

Any material added to an ink to reduce its colour strength and/or viscosity.

EYEMARK

A small rectangular printed area usually located near the edge of a web or design, to activate an automatic electronic position regulator for controlling register of the printed design with subsequent equipment or operations.

F

FACE-CUT LABEL

Any pressure sensitive label where the face material is cut to the liner. A die-cut label product from which the matrix has not been removed.

FACE MATERIAL

Any paper, filmic, fabric, laminate or foil material suitable for converting into pressure sensitive labelstock. In the finished construction this web is bonded to the adhesive layer and becomes the functional part of the construction. Refer NS.

FACE SLIT

A slit in the face material of a pressure sensitive product to facilitate removal from the backing.

FACE SPLIT – See FACE SLIT

FACE STOCK – See FACE MATERIAL

FADEOMETER

Instrument used to measure the fade resistant properties of inks and other pigmented coatings. Refer NS for test procedure.

FADING

A gradual decrease in the brilliance of colour. The term is often applied to the change in colour produced by exposure to light and the elements.

FAHRENHEIT

The imperial scale of temperature where ‘32’ represents the freezing point of water and ‘212’ represents the boiling point of water.

FANFOLD – See CONTINUOUS LABELS

FASTNESS

That property of a paper or dye-stuff which renders its resistant to change in colour. Depending upon its use, a paper should be fast to light, alkali and acid.

FATIGUE

A condition of stress created by repeated flexing or impact force upon the adhesive-adhered interface.

FEATHERING

A defect which is characterised by ragged, coarse edges, or undesirable irregular edges around a print.

FEED SLOTS – Also see SPROCKET PUNCHED

Round or rectangular holes or slits put in pressure sensitive labelstock to maintain register of pressure sensitive labels while they are being printed or imprinted. Usually refers to the feeding mechanism of sprocket punching for dot matrix printers, pin wheel machines, car park machines, automatic computer stencil cutting machines and the like. Other names are: Index Holes, Index Punch, Pin Feed, Line Hole Punch and Marginal Punching.

FESTOON

Material take-up system usually used with a butt splicer in order to continue feeding a press while the splice is being made on Stationery material.

FILL-IN

Generally used to refer to the open portions of small type and half tones filled in by ink to cause blotches.

FILLING IN

Refers to the filling in of small reverse areas or copy of a printed design.

FILM

A dark material (usually acetate) coated one side with an emulsion that is light sensitive. When exposed to light, an image is transferred to the film and then it is developed in chemicals to produce a negative.

A transparent material used for face stock for pressure sensitive labels. Often used in applications requiring maximum durability as it seals the printed surface. Applied during the run on a label press.

FILM MASTER

A photographic film representation of a specific symbol from which a printing plate is produced.

FILM POSITIVE

A positive contact print on a film base material.

FILMS

Face and liner material manufactured from synthetic high molecular weight polymers.

FINAT

European organisation of Label Printers similar to LATMA.

Secretariat: Laan Copes van Cattenburch 79

2585 EW The Hague

Netherlands

Fax +31 70 363 6348

FINENESS OF GRIND

The degree of grinding or dispersion of a pigment in a printing ink or vehicle. Extent to which particle size has been reduced to its ultimate by grinding technique.

FINENESS OF GRIND GAUGE

Instrument consisting of a flat block with two (2) calibrated gradient slots from 0 to 0.001 inch on which ink is drawn down with a steel blade. Undispersed pigment or other particles in ink show streaks starting at their particle size. Refer NS for test procedure.

FINISH

To finalise (bring) the clients request to its proper conclusion. The surface property of a material determined by its texture and gloss. Also an important physical property of paper. It describes surface contour and characteristics measurable by smoothness, gloss, absorbability and print quality. Finish of paper can be aesthetic or functional. Refer relevant National Standard and Labelstock manufacturers’ data sheet.

FINISHING

Usually refers to the last work done to a clients request prior to shipping, ie. rewinding, inspection and packing, etc.

FISH EYES

Round or eye-shaped deformations in a coating (adhesive, release, protective, etc.); craters.

FLAG

A marker, usually strips of coloured paper or board, inserted into rolls of pressure sensitive materials and extending from an edge to designate a deviation from the standard (normal), such as a splice, defect or specification change. A warning to the slitter or press operator handling the material during the next operation in the converting process, usually indicating an area that is to be inspected closely. On the run, a flag can be inserted into a fan-fold, stack of sheeted labels or rolls.

FLAGGING

Usually refers to the ‘lifting’ of a pressure sensitive label from the surface to which it has been applied. This condition most often occurs when the label has been applied around a curved (tight) surface or where the adhesive has been nullified by mishandling.

FLAME RESISTANT PAPER

A paper which has been treated with chemicals which enable it to resist flame. While not actually fireproof, it will not support combustion, will char but not carry a flame.

FLAMMABLE

Capable of being ignited.

FLASH POINT

The temperature at which a flammable liquid will flash when ignited by a small flame passed over the surface.

FLAT PACK – See FANFOLD

A continuous web folded at a cross perforation at regular intervals.

FLEX

Another term for deflection of rollers or cylinders in a press. Also, bending qualities of characteristics of any material, including printing substrates.

FLEXIBILITY

A property of face materials, measured under specified conditions, that indicates how readily they will conform to curved surfaces. Refer relevant National Standard.

FLEXIBLE PRINTED CIRCUIT

A printed circuit or conductive pattern, on or between insulating layers, which remains flexible after processing.

FLEXIBLE DIE – See MAGNETIC DIE

FLEXING

Condition that can occur on a die when the circumference is less than the width of the cross-blades. Causes the centre of the cross-blades to fail to cut properly and consistently.

FLEXLIGHT

Union Carbide’s trademark for photopolymer plate material.

FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTING

Formerly called ANILINE printing. A method of rotary printing that employs flexible, raised relief image plates and rapid drying inks or coatings. Flexography uses either; Ultra Violet, water based, or alcohol based inks, or a combination of all three.

FLEXOGRAPHY

Relief printing process using a simple inking system and fluid inks.

FLOCK

A commercial fuzz or lint consisting of fine strands or filaments from textile fibres, animal hair, synthetic resins, etc. It is applied to an adhesive coated surface to produce a decorative effect with a felt-like feel and appearance.

FLOOD COAT

The method of coating of an entire surface with an ink, adhesive, coating, etc.

FLOW OUT

The capacity of an ink or adhesive to spread, filling in the hills and valleys on the surface of the printed or non-printed substrate.

FLUORESCENT PAPER – Also known as RADIANTs or FLUROs

A paper that is coated with a fluorescent pigment which not only reflects a visible wave length, but is activated by most of the remaining absorbed light to re-emit it as colour of a longer wave length which results in reinforcement of the reflected colour. Refer LM.

FLORESCENT PIGMENTS

By absorbing unwanted wave lengths of light and converting them into light of desired wave lengths, these colours seem to possess an actual glow of their own. Refer LM.

FLUOROCARBON FILMS

A film with very high and low temperature limits, excellent electrical characteristics, and a very slippery, non-sticking surface.

FLYING SPLICE

A splice or joining of two (2) webs accomplished while the web is in motion.

FOAMING – FROTHING

A property of a liquid related to a surface tension.

FOB

Free on Board. Shipping term used to indicate that a price quoted includes loading on a railroad car, truck, aircraft or ship at a designated point, but no further transportation costs are included. Also, does not usually include insurance.

FOCAL DISTANCE – See ULTRA VIOLET INKS.

Ultra violet light energy, like visible light, can be collected and focused by an elliptical reflector. The focal distance is the distance from the lamp centre to the substrate, whereas maximum energy is concentrated at that distance which gives the narrowest band of focused light. When focused correctly, UV inks will be cured in 1/40th of a second at approximately 30 meters per minute with a 200 watt per inch medium pressure mercury vapour lamp. Speed of cure can be either chemically enhanced or by adding more lamps, or lamps of higher intensity, ie. 300 watts per inch. Refer IM

FOIL

A polyester film that carries a ‘dry’ pigment that is transferred to paper by heat and pressure. Commonly used in hot stamping processes, gold and silver foils were actually finely beaten and drawn gold or silver strips for stamping onto leather.

FOIL PAPER LAMINATE

A foil (usually coloured aluminium), laminated to a sheet of paper used as a face stock. The foil is usually top coated (tie coated), to improve ink receptivity. A very thin metal sheet that can be used as face stock material in label production.

FOIL STAMPING

The application of heat and pressure to a stamping foil to activate the foil and transfer it to the substrate.

FONT

In typesetting (composition), the complete assortment of type of one size and face, including numerals, capitals, lower-case, diphthongs, edit marks and punctuation.

FORMAT

The size, style, layout, margins, etc., of a label. To format a computer floppy disk – prepares a disk to receive computer generated information.

FOUNTAIN

A pan or trough on a flexographic press which contains the ink and in which the fountain roller revolves.

FOUR COLOUR PROCESS

Printing with three of the primary colours plus black. Yellow, magenta and cyan colour inks are printed with black, using screens to create all the other colours of the spectrum.

FREEZER ADHESIVE

Adhesives that will function at temperatures below the freezing point. They are usually removable (repositional) at room (ambient) temperatures. Refer LM Specification Sheets.

FTA – and AFTA

American and International Flexographic Technical Association.

Australian Flexographic Technical Association.

FUGITIVE COLOURS

Those colours which are not fast to light.

FUGITIVE INKS

Inks specially manufactured to be used as a substitute for carbon paper between paper layers.

FUSE

To join two surfaces by heating them to their melting or softening point.

G

GAP

The space between two (2) objects.

GAPPING

Openings between layers within a roll of self wound laminating tape.

GAMMA

GASSA

GAUGE

A unit of measure. Usually the thickness or diameter and generally expressed by a number. Refer NS.

GAUGE BANDS

Areas where material or liner is thicker, forming a hard ridge as layer after layer builds up in the same spot.

GEAR CHART

A handy reference compilation of the various printing lengths or repeats obtainable within the different gearing systems of rotary presses. Referred to as ‘teeth per inch = TPI’ or ‘teeth per centimetre = TPM’.

GEAR MARKS

A defect in flexographic printing. Usually appears as uniformly spaced, lateral variations in tone exactly corresponding to the distance between gear teeth.

GEAR SIDE – See DRIVING SIDE

GEAR STREAKS

In printing, parallel streaks appearing across the printed web at the same interval as the gear teeth on a cylinder. Same as gear marks.

GEL

A state or condition in which an ink, varnish or coating has a jelly-like consistency.

GELLING

The thickening of an ink or other liquid, which cannot be reversed by stirring.

GHOSTING

Very faint reproduction of printed design without actual ink transfer. Shadows or indistinct images appearing in solids or reverses typically caused by poor ink distribution and/or poor ink formulation.

GLASSINE

A supercalendered, smooth, dense, transparent or translucent paper manufactured primarily from chemical wood pulps which have been beaten to secure a high degree of hydration of the stock. Commonly used as backing paper (liner). Refer NS & LM Specification Sheet.

GLOSS

Characteristic of the surface which causes it to reflect light at a given angle. Refer NS & LM Specification Sheet.

GLUE – See ADHESIVE

GRAB – Also called TACK (Initial)

Ability of an adhesive to quickly adhere to a surface with a minimum of pressure (usually touched to the surface with its own weight). Also called instant adhesion or initial tack. Refer NS & LM Specification Sheet.

GRAIN

In paper making, the direction in which most fibres lie corresponding with the alignment of the fibres in the direction of the paper travel through the paper making machine.

GRAIN DIRECTION

In roll or fan-folded labels, the grain direction runs along the web, parallel to the sides. The opposite of ‘cross direction’.

GRAM

Unit of weight in the metric system; the weight of one (1) cubic centimetre of water at standard conditions. A litre of water weighs 1 kilogram, 28.35 grams = 1 ounce, 453.6 grams = 1 pound.

GRAVURE PRINTING

A printing process employing minute engraved wells (cells). Generally, deeply etched wells carry more ink than a raised surface (letterpress and flexographic), hence print darker values. Shallow wells print lighter values. A doctor blade wipes excess ink from the cylindrical printing surface. Rotogravure employs etched cylinders and web-fed stock.

GUARD BARS

The bars which are at both ends and center of a UPC and EAN symbol. They provide reference points for scanning.

GUILLOTINE

An instrument for trimming sheets of paper (with a downward cutting action). Guillotines are usually ‘stand alone’ pieces of equipment, but on some label presses, they are built into the main machine.

GUM – See ADHESIVE.

Referring to a broad class of synthetic and natural adhesive materials which exhibit good tack characteristics. Refer NS & LM Specification Sheet.

H

HAIRLINE REGISTER

Register within +/- 1/2 row of dots in halftone printing.

HALFTONE

The reproduction of continuous-tone subjects such as photographs through a contact halftone screen, which converts the image into dots with equal spacing and different sizes.

HALO

An undesirable, peripheral outline of a printed image. An undesirable, peripheral outline of adhesive around the edge of an applied pressure sensitive label (due to adhesive ooze or substrate shrinkage).

HANG LABEL

A term used to describe a label where part of the liner is peeled away, the exposed adhesive wrapped around an object, then stuck to the back of the liner that remains. These products usually ‘hang’ in the retail market place. Airline suitcase baggage labels are an example.

HANG TAG

A term used to describe fold-over labels (stuck to themselves) generally used for product identification. These products usually ‘hang’ in the retail market place.

HARD DOT

A term that refers to a dot where the fringe or halo is so slight as to be barely noticeable and the dot is very sharp.

HARDNESS

Degree of hardness. Shore and Rockwell being two (2) scales used to measure and compare hardness. Usually ‘Shore’ is used to describe the hardness factor of rubber rollers.

HAZE

A degree of cloudiness in a plastic material.

HDPE

-> 2 PLASTIC

HEAT RESISTANCE

The property of a material which inhibits the occurrence of physical or chemical changes caused by exposure to high temperatures.

HEAT SEAL

To bond two (2) or more surfaces together using heat. Usually for sealing plastic or acetate bags.

HEAT SEAL LABELS

Label paper that has a coating which melts under heat to form the bonding agent. Commonly known to the carpet industry as ‘Iron-on Labels’.

HEAT SEALING

The process of bonding two (2) or more surfaces together by heating the adherent surfaces so that the heat seal coating or film is melted, thereby affecting an adhesion between those surfaces. Pressure is often added along with heat.

HEAT SEALING ADHESIVE

An adhesive film applied to a substrate to be later reactivated by the application of heat.

HELIUM NEON LASER

The type of laser most commonly used in bar code scanners.

HICKEY

A piece of foreign matter in paper or similar defect. A burr or defect on the printing plate or engraving. Spots or any imperfections in the printing due to dirt on the press, dried or lumpy ink, paper dust particles, etc.

HIGH SPEED UNWIND

A device used to accelerate the unwinding of a roll of labels on a high speed automatic label dispenser.

HIGH TEMPERATURE ADHESIVE

An adhesive that will enable a pressure sensitive label to adhere or stick well when applied to a hot substrate. Its characteristic will be such as to have a high degree of resistance to aging or deterioration at the elevated temperatures. Refer NS & LM specification sheets.

HIGHLIGHT

The lightest or whitest parts in a photograph represented in a halftone reproduction by the smallest dots, or the absence of all dots.

HOLDING POWER

The ability to withstand stress, as in holding rigid label materials on small diameter cylindrical objects. Involves both adhesive and cohesive strength and flexibility of the face material. Refer NS & LM specification sheets.

HOLOGRAM

The pattern on a photosensitive material or embossed into a polymeric film structure resulting from an interference pattern created by a laser light striking an object, then merging with a reference beam of the same light. One of the best examples of a hologram is the use of images in the clear part of Australian bank notes.

HOT MELT ADHESIVE

Thermoplastic materials with 100% solids that liquefy when heated and re-solidify on cooling to form a bond with the face sheet. The adhesive was applied to a pressure sensitive lamination which includes a release coated backing sheet. Refer relevant NS & LM specification sheets.

HOT STAMPING

A process that uses heat and pressure to transfer the image from a metal printing plate to a substrate using a coloured or metallic foil to produce the desired result. Most commonly used to create metallic effects on a printed label.

HUE

In colour, the main attribute of a colour which distinguishes it from other colours. Red, orange, green, blue are colour hues.

HYDROSCOPIC

The quality of some materials to absorb atmospheric moisture; exhibiting an infinity for water.

I

I

Roman numeral for 1.

ID

Inside Diameter.

IDLER ROLLERS

Roller mechanisms on converting machines used to support, smooth or direct the web in its course of travel through a machine. Not driven.

IML

In-mould Label. A label which is not pressure sensitive, but is placed inside a plastic mould before the plastic is blown, not extruded. The label has a heat responsive adhesive, and when plastic is blown into the mould, it breaks down momentarily, and the label becomes part of the article.

IMPREGNATE

To saturate or permeate a material with a substance.

IMPRESSION

The image transferred from the printing plate to the substrate or the adjustment required to affect the same.

IMPRESSION CYLINDER

In printing, the cylinder on a printing press over which the material feeds to the impression from the inked plate.

IMPRESSIONS

Imprints generally caused by defect on core or bad splice, etc. Can show up for many meters on certain materials.

IMPRINTING

Technique in which changeable copy is added to blank or previously printed labels, tags, etc., with a secondary printing device such as an imprinter, computer printer, typewriter, etc.

INCH – See JOG

A unit of imperial measurement. 1″ = 25.4mm. Often used to refer to computer imprinting as ‘6 lines per inch’, etc.

IN-LINE PRESS

A press coupled to another operation such as sheeting, die cutting, creasing, etc. A multi-colour press in which the colour stations are mounted horizontally in a line.

IN-MOULD LABELS – See IML

INDEX HOLES – See FEED SLOTS

INDEX PUNCH – See FEED SLOTS

INFEED NIP

A mechanism designed to control the forward travel of the web into the press.

INFRARED

Type of heaters used for drying.

INFRARED LIGHT

Refers to infrared rays, the longer wave lengths below the red in the spectrum. Used as a source of heat. Note: Infrared rays are usually visible as light from a infrared heater, but not when drying is used.

INHIBITOR

A compound (usually organic) that retards or stops a chemical reaction such as corrosion, oxidation or polymerisation.

INITIAL RELEASE

A release test run immediately after coating and laminating of pressure sensitive labelstock. Refer NS for test procedure & LM specification sheets.

INITIAL TACK

Degree of stickiness when a pressure sensitive label is first applied to the product. Refer NS for test procedure & LM specification sheets.

INK BLEED

Penetration of one colour of ink into the facestock in such a manner as to cause one colour to run or discolour either the background colour of the facestock, or another colour of ink that is laid down adjacent to the colour that is bleeding. Refer NS.

INK FOUNTAIN

Device which stores and supplies ink to the inking roller in a controlled manner on a printing press.

INK HOLDOUT

Describes the degree to which pigment and binder stay on the surface of a material; a function of the ink, material and solvent (or chemical) interactions.

INK PAN – See INK FOUNTAIN

INK PUMP

Electric or air driven mechanical pump that circulates an ink or coating from a holding tank to the ink fountain.

INTERNAL BOND See COHESIVE STRENGTH

Refer NS & LM specification sheets.

INTERNAL STRESS

Stress created within the adhesive layer by the movement of the adherends at different rates or by contraction or expansion of the adhesive layer. Refer NS for test procedure & LM specification sheets.

ION DEPOSITION

Also known as NON-IMPACT PRINTING. A method of printing using a non-impact electronic image process. Ink or dye is blown onto labels, or transferred as an inkjet, or as a powder.

IR-SCANNABLE

Capable of being read by an infrared scanner.

IRRADIATION

Treated with ultra violet light or another high energy ray.

J

JIG

A device used to assist the correct placement of a semi-automatically applied pressure sensitive label. Usually it is made to fit the shape of the product being labelled.

JOG – INCHING

To intermittently operate a press for very short increments of web travel. Presses are wired so as not to operate at speed while in ‘inching’ mode.

JOIN – See BREAK

JOURNALS

The end shafts on which a roller rotates, usually within the needle bearing or bushing of a die block.

JUMBO ROLL

A full width roll of pressure sensitive laminate (converted or whole) where the outside diameter is larger than standard. Refer NS & LM specification sheets.

K

K

Common letter used in English for 1,000.

KEY-LINE

In artwork, an outline of finished art for labels to indicate the exact shape, position, and size for such elements as half-tones, line sketches, text, etc.

KEY MARK OR TRIGGER

A code bit(s) that provides the scanner with the instruction that the code is in a position to be read. Used in some fixed beam readers.

KICKOUT

The precipitation of the solid part of an ink or coating.

KISS CUT

A die-cutting operation which cuts through the face sheet to a liner, but not through the liner in any way. Refer NS & O.

KISS IMPRESSION

The lightest possible impression which will transfer the film of ink from the transfer roller to the plate and from the plate to the material being printed.

KNIFE CUT LABELS – See BUTT CUT LABELS

KNOCK-OUT

In colour printing, the process of dropping an image out of the colour such as dropping white type out of a colour background. Often called reverse printing.

KROMEKOTE

A trademark of a clay coated paper with a highly polished, mirror-like finish; high gloss.

KROY

A machine that uses foil and a disk with relief lettering to impact letters of the alphabet in a uniform manner to help create artwork. A typesetting machine.

L

LABEL

A method by which to apply identification to an object. The functional portion of a pressure sensitive construction comprising the face material and adhesive, die cut into the shape desired. Refer NS. See front of Glossary for representative illustration.

LABEL PANEL

Main panel of a container specifically created for the purpose of placing the pressure sensitive label.

LABEL STOCK – LABELSTOCK

Pressure sensitive laminate from which labels are converted; usually refers to roll stock. Refer NS & LM specification sheets.

LABELLING MACHINE

Dispensing apparatus that, by means of driving or pulling the backing (liner), delivers a pressure sensitive label and applies it to a product.

LACQUER

A clear protective coating, usually glossy, applied to a printed web in-line on a label press just prior to die-cutting.

LADDER – See MATRIX

LAMINANT

An adhesive for combining and bonding a combination of films, foils, plastics, papers or other materials. Pressure sensitive constructions are often called laminants.

LAMINATE

A web of material formed by bonding two or more materials together as in a pressure sensitive construction. To apply one layer of material over another. Refer NS & LM specification sheets.

LAMINATION

A plastic film bonded by heat, adhesive, and/or pressure to a printed web for protection or appearance. Two or more materials bonded together functioning as one (1).

LAND – See TIE

LASER PAPER

Paper suitable to accept laser printing. Labelstock used to produce labels in sheets (A4) for laser printers must be able to withstand heat and bending around rollers within the laser printer. Refer LM specification sheets.

LASER PRINTING

A method of printing which utilises a laser beam to put images onto a substrate. Usually the surface of the substrate must have specific characteristics to accept laser printing. Common desk-top laser printers actually transfer the image to a toner roller which then fuses the toner to the paper using heat and/or a laser beam. Check manuals from machines to see if they are true lasers before producing labels. Most machines have paper specifications in their manuals, and also refer to Labelstock.

LASER SCANNER

An optical reading device using a low energy laser light beam as its source of illumination.

LATEX

An emulsion of rubber or resin particles dispersed in an aqueous (water based) medium. A natural or synthetic elastomeric dispersion in an aqueous system.

LATEX PAPER

Paper manufactured by two major processes; one of which is where latex is incorporated with the fibres in the beater prior to formation of the sheet, and the second of which is where a preformed web of absorbent fibre is saturated with properly compounded latex. The papers are characterised by strength, folding endurance, resistance to penetration by water, flexibility, durability and resistance to abrasion. Refer Labelstock manufacturers specification sheet.

LATMA – FEDERAL. LATMA AUSTRALIA LTD

(The) Label & Tag Manufacturers’ Association of Australia Ltd. Membership is made up of each member state with two (2) representatives from each state (usually the President & one other elected person) attending meetings etc. at least twice every year. LATMA Australia deals with issues such as Training, National and International Standards, Imports, Bi-Annual Conferences, Overseas Conferences and any other issue that members are likely to pursue. The National President is elected from the committee and serves for two years. LATMA Australia and the states are affiliated with PIAA in Australia, FINAT in Europe and TLMI in United States of America. LATMA Australia Ltd Secretariat resides in New South Wales at PIAA headquarters.

LATMA – STATE.

Each represented LATMA state has its own constitution and conducts both social and working meetings through the vehicle of its committee. Usually two members of the committee are elected to represent that state’s point of view at the National Committee meetings. The President is elected by ballot. The secretariat of each state LATMA usually resides in the PIAA Office in that state.

LAY FLAT

A label material with good non-curling characteristics making it suitable for automatic over-wrapping, insertion or any other form of further processing requiring a flat sheet (Stay flat). Refer NS & LM specification sheets.

LAY-UP – See ARTWORK

LAYOUT

The drawing or sketch of a proposed design. Usually precedes formal artwork.

LDPE

->4 PLASTIC

LEGGING

The stringing out of a pressure sensitive adhesive which frequently occurs following die-cutting when the matrix or waste skeleton id being stripped.

LETRASET

The dry transfer of lettering (similar to a transfer) from a carrier sheet by pressure. One letter or symbol at a time, usually performed by rubbing the transfer through a protective sheet.

LETTERPRESS

Printing process which employs a relief or raised inked image which comes into direct contact with the material being printed. Hard relief plates and oil based or Ultra Violet inks are used. Refer NS.

LEUCO DYES

Used in the manufacture of some grades of IR, direct thermal papers.

LEXAN

General Electric Company (USA) trademark for polycarbonate film.

LIFTING

Defect where label exhibits some degree of lifting from the applied surface. Refer NS for test procedure.

LIGHT PEN

A hand-held scanning wand which is used as a contact bar code reader.

LIGHT RESISTANCE – See FADING

The ability of a plastic material to resist fading after exposure to sunlight, ultra violet light or weathering. Nearly all plastics tend to darken under these conditions. This also applies to inks and pressure sensitive labelstock face material. Also called Light Fast when printing inks are referred to. Refer NS, IM & LM specification sheets.

LINE AND SCREEN

Any reproduction of line and single or multiple screenwork not utilising the combination of the three primary colours. Any number of colours can be utilised.

LINE HOLE PUNCHING – See FEED SLOTS

LINE WIDTH REDUCTION

Degree of gain allowed for when making up bar code films.

LINER – See BACKING

LITHOGRAPHIC PAPER

A paper coated on at least one side, suitably prepared for lithographic printing.

LOGO

The abbreviation or trade jargon for logotype. Name, symbol or mark to identify a company (trademark).

LOSS OF TACK

The adhesive loses its adhesion properties; does not grab the product as well as it should. Refer NS for test procedure & LM specification sheets.

LUMINESCENT PIGMENTS

Special pigments available to produce striking effects in the dark. Basically there are two types; one is activated by ultra violet radiation (usually black light), producing very strong luminescence. The second is known as phosphorescent pigments and does not require any separate source of radiation.

M

M

Roman numeral for 1,000. Printers’ measure; 1 em = 12 points; 6 ems = 1 inch.

MACHINE DIRECTION

The direction of any material parallel to its forward movement on (through) the press.

MACHINE GLAZED

The finish produced in glaze on the wire side of a sheet as it is passed in contact over a single, large diameter, steam-heated cylinder on the Yankee Machine. The finish is commonly referred to as M.G.

MAGENTA

A subtractive primary colour which reflects blue and red light and absorbs green light.

MAGNETIC CYLINDER

A cylinder used in die cutting that is magnetised to accept and hold in place, flexible steel dies. Also used for metal backed printing plates.

MAGNETIC DIES

A thin, flexible, steel ‘foil’ bearing the actual die cutting blades that is held on to a base cylinder magnetically. Quite common in EDP label production where identical repeats are frequently used.

MAKE AND HOLD

Material that has been manufactured and is being held for customer release.

MAKEREADY

The ‘making ready to print or cut’ of any printing press. On printing presses, all operations prior to running; such as mounting plates, adjusting in-feed, edge guide, putting ink in the fountain, changing cylinders in flexo, adjusting the impression, setting up the die cutting, colour matching, etc. All preparatory operations preceding production on the press.

MAKING ORDER

Any order which cannot be filled from stock and is to be made according to purchaser’s specifications; custom order.

MANDREL

A shaft upon which cylinders or other devices (numbering boxes, perforation blades, etc.), are mounted or affixed. Also unwind and rewind shaft on to which rolls of materials (or labels) are mounted.

MANILA

Describes the colour of paper/board manufactured from rope stocks. Usually refers to Manilla board.

MARGINAL PUNCHING – See FEED SLOTS; PIN FEED

MASKING

Covering part of a surface to protect it from exposing, etching, etc.

MASTER ROLL

A full width roll that has finished the primary manufacturing process and is usually untrimmed and unslit.

MATERIAL

Usually refers to un-converted stock, pressure sensitive or not.

MATERIAL SPLICE

An area where tape has been used to attach two rolls of material together to form one continuous web.

MATRIX – Also known as WASTE SKELETON

The face material and adhesive surrounding a pressure sensitive label, usually after die cutting.

MATT FINISH – MATTE FINISH

A low gloss or no gloss finish. A UV curable clear coat may be used to produce a matte or textured finish.

MECHANICAL

Term for a camera ready past-up of artwork including type, photos, line art, etc.; all on one piece of artboard.

MEMBRANE SWITCH

Self contained sealed film lamination printed with conductive inks that form trace paths for electrical currents. Primarily composed of pressure sensitive polycarbonate and/or polyester films designed to replace traditional glass-type switches.

MEMORY

The property of a material that attempts to return to its original configuration after being distorted. Can cause great difficulty if correct adhesives are not used for glass or plastic small diameter phials.

METAL FOIL

Thin flexible layer of metal, such as aluminium, used as face materials. Thinner gauges are often laminated to paper for strength.

METALLISED FOIL

A plastic or resinous film that has been coated one side with a very thin layer of metal.

METALLISED PAPER

A label substrate consisting of a lacquered C1S paper on which a very thin film of aluminium has been deposited.

METALLISING

Applying a thin coating of metal to a non-metallic surface. May be done by chemical deposition or be exposing the surface to vaporised metal in a vacuum chamber.

MEYER ROD

A method of coating utilising a wire wrapped stainless steel rod which meters specific amounts of coating as it is applied to a substrate.

MEZZOTINT – See STOCHASTIC.

An irregular, random dot halftone.

MICR

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition. The process of machine reading characters by means of magnetic sensing.

MICROMETER

A mechanical device for measuring thickness (usually in thousands of an inch).

MICRON

A unit of measure, One-millionth of a meter, or about .00004″ (25 microns = 0.001″).

MIGRATION – See ADHESIVE STRIKE-THROUGH

The movement of one or more of the components of a pressure sensitive adhesive to either the labelled surface or the label stock (face material). Also the movement of one or more of the components of either the labelstock and the labelled surface into the adhesive and/or ink. Refer NS & LM specification sheets.

MIGRATION OF PLASTICISER

Loss of plasticiser from an elastomeric plastic compound with the subsequent absorption by an adjacent medium of lower plasticiser concentration, often causes a loss of adhesion.

MIL

Unit of thickness measurement used for thin materials. 1 mil = 0.001″

MILEAGE

The surface area covered by a given quantity of ink or coating. Coverage.

MILL ROLL

Roll of paper, film or foil as received by the converter from the mill.

MILLIPOISE

1/100th of a poise. The unit of viscosity measurement (for inks, etc.).

MINIMUM APPLICATION TEMPERATURE

The lowest temperature at which a pressure sensitive label can be applied to a product and still retain initial tack. Refer Labelstock Manufacturers specification sheets.

MISCIBLE

Capable of being mixed; mutually soluble.

MISREAD

A condition which occurs when the data output of a reader does not agree with the encoded data presented.

MMSI

A million square inches of material.

MMSQ

Millions of square millimetres.

MODULE

The narrowest unit of measure in a bar code. A module may be ‘black’ or ‘white’. Contiguous modules are used to form bars or spaces which are wider than one unit.

MOIRE

In colour process printing, an undesirable screen pattern formed by improper screen angles of overprinting half tones. Often called a Moire Star or Pattern.

MOISTURE CONTENT

The moisture present in a material as determined by specified methods.

MOISTURE RESISTANCE

That property of a material which resists uptake or passage of moisture.

MOISTUREPROOF

That property of a material which makes it substantially impervious to water vapour.

MOULD RELEASE AGENTS

Materials used in the manufacture of moulded objects to facilitate their removal from the mould. ie. Oil. silicone etc. Mould release agents can cause serious adhesion problems in some instances.

MONO WEB

A brand name for a printed pressure sensitive label web that is self wound. A release coating is applied over the print so that the adhesive on the back will not stick to the printed surface. The actual die cutting becomes a function of the label application equipment. The process is covered by patent.

MONOMER

A primary chemical structure which reacts with itself, under the influence of catalytic action to create polymeric forms of much greater molecular weight. A component of Ultra Violet inks.

MOTTLE

A spotty or uneven appearance of printing mainly in solid areas.

MOUNTING

The process of affixing plates to/on a cylinder or base in proper position to allow register, colour to colour to die.

MOUNTING AND PROOFING

Device for accurately positioning plates on the plate cylinder and for obtaining proofs of those plates.

MOUNTING PLATE

Grid used to mount plates accurately.

MSDS

Material Safety Data Sheet. A written or printed text concerning a hazardous chemical with all the pertinent information about the product as well as precaution and protection information.

MSI

A thousand square inches of material.

MULTI-PROCESS – See COMBINATION PRESSES

A combination of any printing processes and other decorating methods. An application of lacquer utilising another printing station other than the main printing process shall not qualify as multi-process.

MVTR

A measure of the rate of water vapour transmission through any material.

MYLAR

DuPont’s trademark for clear, tough polymeric polyester film.

N

NAMEPLATE

Describes a label product generally manufactured of metal of other material designed to withstand exposure to adverse conditions. Usually contains information such as serial numbers of components, electrical requirements and are generally affixed to products utilising a permanent adhesive.

NATURAL AGING

The change in a material occurring when it is exposed to normal environmental conditions.

NATURAL RUBBER – NEOPRENE

Coagulated latex obtained from rubber trees and shrubs. Sometimes used as base for adhesives and coatings. It has a very low compression and permanent set and good resistance to cold flow.. Sunlight, oxygen and ozone resistance is not as good as that of most synthetic rubbers. Refer LM specification sheets.

NEGATIVE

A photographic image of originals on paper, film or glass in reverse from that of the original copy. Dark areas appear light and visa versa.

NEGATIVE IMAGE

A reversed image.

NEOPRENE RUBBER

A polymer of chloroprene, it is used as an adhesive base. Commonly used where oil and petrol resistance is required. Resistance to swelling action of aromatics (pure, and in fuels), is poor, but much better than natural rubber. Also used to coat doctor or metering rollers.

NIP

Line of contact between two (2) rollers. Often referred to as the pull or draw rollers on a web press.

NIP

Non Impact Printing. Printing carried out by spraying ink onto the substrate.

NIP ROLLER – See NIP

NOMINAL SIZE

The standard size for a bar code symbol. Most codes can be used over a range of magnifications, commonly from 0.8- to 1.20 nominal.

NON-BLOCKING

Refers to an applied adhesive that will not adhere to other surfaces under normal storage conditions.

NON-FLAMMABLE

Not readily combustible. The opposite of flammable.

NON-ORIENTED FILM

Film which has not been subject to stress to align the polymer chains and improve properties.

NON-POLAR

Having no concentrations of electrical charge on a molecular scale, incapable of significant dielectric loss. Examples among resins are polystyrene and polyethylene.

NON-PRIME LABEL

A label supplying supportive information to a product or performing any other function.

NON-READ INK

Any ink with a sufficiently high reflectance to prohibit detection by an optical scanner. Non-read inks are used as visual guides that do not interfere with data reading.

NON-RETURNABLE CORE

Biodegradable. A disposable core composed structurally so as to make it suitable for one-time use.

NON-VOLATILE

Refers to the portion of an adhesive, coating or sealer that does not evaporate or vaporise at relatively low temperatures.

NON-WOVEN MATERIALS

Usually refers to paper ‘tissues’ or synthetics like rayon.

NUMERIC

A machine vocabulary that includes only numbers as contrasted to alphanumeric which includes both letters and numerals.

NYLON

DuPont’s trade name for a strong plastic film which has high oil and gas resistance, used as filament in strapping tapes, with high impact resistance.

NYLOPRINT

BASF’s trade name for photopolymer plate material.

O

OCR

Optical Character Recognition. An information processing technology dealing with the conversion of imprinted or written data to another language and medium.

OD

Outside Diameter. Outside diameter of a cylinder, roll of labels, paper or roller of any kind.

OEM

Original Equipment Manufacturer. One who produces a component or components used in the making of a finished assembled product.

OFF-CUT

That part of the trim width (of paper in roll or sheet form), that is not utilised. Usually a narrow roll which is left over because the customer placed an order which does not utilise the full master roll width.

OFF-LINE

Refers to devices that operate independently of a large central processing unit.

OFFSET – Often called SET-OFF

A defect characterised by the partial transference of ink from a freshly printed surface to an adjacent surface, as that of another sheet, film or the backing paper (liner) in a roll. Also accidental transfer of ink from the idler or other rollers in a press to the web.

OFFSET PAPER

A paper designed for use on presses with general characteristics to resist distortion from stretching or shrinking, freedom from ‘fuzz’ and a smooth surface which will take ink evenly without ‘set-off’ during the offset printing process.

OFFSET POWDER

A fine mist of powder sprayed between two sheets of stock during the press run to prevent the moist ink of one sheet from ‘setting-off or off-setting’ onto the back of the succeeding sheet. Also used as a slip additive to assist stacking in sheet format.

OFFSET PRINTING

A process of indirect printing in which an impression of a type or a design on a plate is printed on a rubber blanketed cylinder from which it is impressed onto the surface of the substrate. ie. Offset upon the surface to be decorated or printed.

OFFSETTING

Describes the unwanted transfer of ink from one printed surface to another surface.

OLEFINS

A group of unsaturated hydrocarbons of the general formula CnH2n, and named after the corresponding paraffins by the addition of ‘…ene’ or ‘…ylene’ to the stem. E.g. Ethylene and Propylene.

OLEO RESINS

Semi-solid mixtures of the resin and essential oil of the plant from which they exude, and sometimes referred to as balsams. Oleoresinous materials also consist of products of drying oils and natural or synthetic resins.

OLIGOMER

A chemical compound whose molecules consist of a group of linked monomers. This is a compound intermediate in size between the single monomer unit and the huge polymer molecule.

ON-LINE

An operation in which peripheral devices are connected directly to the computer central processor. Also a term to describe whether enhancements to printed matter will be produced ‘on-line’ or ‘off-line’.

ONE COMPONENT ADHESIVE

A pressure sensitive adhesive in which all of the necessary properties are derived from a single uniquely designed synthetic polymer. Refer LM specification sheet.

OOZE

Adhesive moving out of ends of rolls or stacks of sheets causing ends to feel sticky and possibly causing material to block. Adhesive cold flow.

OPACIMETER

The instrument with which the degree of opacity may be measured.

OPACITY

The measure of the amount of light that can pass through a material. The hiding property of an ink film; property of film allowing printed material to show through in varying degrees. Refer NS & LM specification sheets.

OPAQUE

Not transmitting light. Not transparent or translucent.

OPAQUE INK

An ink that is not transparent and reflects only its colour regardless of what colours it overprints.

OPERATING RANGE

The sum of a scanner’s optical throw and depth of field.

OPERATING SIDE

That side of a label press on which the printing unit adjustments are located. Opposite drive side or gear side.

OPP

Oriented polypropylene.

OPTICAL

Relates to the utilisation of light. Sometimes involves the use of light sensitive devices to acquire information. ie. Scanners etc.

OPTICAL CHARACTER READER

An information processing device that accepts and processes machine or hand written characters.

OPTICAL THROW

The distance from the face of the code reader or scanner to the beginning of the depth of field.

OPTICITE FILM

Trademark of a label film supplied by Dow Chemical (polystyrene type).

ORANGE PEEL – See MOTTLE

Rough coating causing an ‘orange peel’ appearance. See ‘Mottle’.

ORIENTATION

The alignment of the crystalline structure in polymeric materials so as to produce a highly uniform structure. Can be accomplished by cold drawing or stretching during fabrication. Also the alignment of bars and spaces to a scanner.

ORIGINAL

The material that is required to be reproduced in the printing process. Usually a photograph, transparency, art, artist’s drawing or merchandise sample.

OTHER – Recycle code > 7

Includes all other resins and multi materials. eg; Polyamide, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene – ABS, Acrylic, Nylon, Polyurethane- PU and Phenolics. Refer LM specification sheets.

is used to designate recycling code. ‘7 or Other’ is used for; mixed or otherwise not classified plastics. Refer NS & LM specification sheets for adhesives, etc.

OUTTURN SAMPLES

Paper samples which are sent the customer as representative of the paper which will be shipped. Refer LM specification sheets.

OVER-LAMINATING

Application of a clear film to a labelstock for the purpose of protection or to enhance graphic quality. Usually done in-line on the press.

OVERLAP – WRAP AROUND

In applying a label around a bottle or container, one end extends over the other and adheres to itself.

OVERLAY

In artwork, a transparent film or tissue over copy on which colour breaks, instructions or corrections are indicated. Also, transparent prints which, when combined or overlaid in register, form a composite picture. Refer NS.

OVER-RUN

Production manufactured in excess of the specified order quantity. (Accepted printing industry standard is +/- 10%). Refer NS.

OVERS – See OVER-RUN

OXIDATION

The chemical reaction involving the process of combining with oxygen to form an oxide. The deterioration of an adhesive film due to atmospheric exposure. The breakdown of a hot melt adhesive due to prolonged heating and oxide formation. Refer LM specification sheets.

P

PACKAGING

A coordinated system for the preparation of goods for shipment, distribution and storage.

Refer relevant National Standard.

PADDING

Binding sheets of paper – blank, ruled, etc., together by applying flexible glue or adhesive to one edge of the stack.

PASS

One trip for the material through a production piece of equipment. Certain constructions require additional passes to complete the production.

PATTERN ADHESIVE – See PATTERN COATED

PATTERN COATED

Refers to the width and spacing arrangements of strips of adhesive laid down parallel to machine direction and across the width of pressure sensitive labelstock during its manufacture. Also refers to adhesive coating applied in a pattern which is not related to web direction. Refer LM specification sheets.

PATTERN VARNISH

Spot varnish applied to the printed surface in a desired pattern.

PCS

Print Contrast Signal. A measurement of contrast between the bars and spaces of a symbol. A minimum PCS value is needed for a symbol to be scanned. PCS values can be calculated and displayed automatically on suitable instruments.

PEARLESCENT PIGMENTS

A class of pigments consisting of particles that are essentially transparent crystals of a high refractive index. The optical effect is one of partial reflection from the two sides of each flake. When reflections from parallel flakes reinforce each other, the result is a silvery lustre. Effects possible range from brilliant highlighting to moderate enhancement of the normal surface gloss.

PEEL ADHESION

Peel adhesion is the force required to remove a pressure sensitive label from a standard test panel at a specified angle and speed after the label has been applied to the test panel under specified conditions for a specific time. Refer NS for test procedure & LM specification sheets.

PEELBACK

A method of separating a bond of two flexible materials or a flexible and a rigid material that have been bonded with an adhesive. The flexible material is pulled from the mating surface at a 90 or 180 degree angle to the plane in which it is adhered. The stress is concentrated only along the adhesive line of immediate separation. Refer NS & LM specification sheets.

PEELER PLATE

A sharp edged, flat piece of metal around which the backing or carrier material is threaded, the prime function being a mechanical device which causes a pressure sensitive label to be dispensed from the backing material.

PENETRATION

Change of appearance of the face material due to movement of one or more components from the adhesive or the labelled surface. Bleed through, migration.

PERFORATED

Refers to a series of small incisions made in laid-on labels and/or their release liner to facilitate tearing along a pre-determined line, or for fan folding (fanfolds). Refer NS.

PERMANENCY

A measure of an adhesive’s ultimate holding power or bond strength. A permanent adhesive will develop a bond that makes label removal difficult or impossible without distorting the face stock.

PERMANENT ADHESIVE

An adhesive characterised by having relatively high ultimate adhesion to a wide variety of surfaces. Refer NS & LM specification sheets.

PERMEABILITY

The property of a material that allows or resists a substance to pass or flow through it; the rate of such a passage. Refer LM specification sheets.

PET – Recycle code -> 1

Polyethylene Teraphthalate. Clear, tough, solvent resistant, often used as a fibre. Used for soft drink bottles, fruit juice bottles, mineral water bottles and some kitchen and laundry detergent bottles. Refer LM specification sheets.

PHOSPHORESCENT FACE

A face material coated with a phosphorescent ink, that emits light in a visible spectrum.

PHOTOINITIATOR

In Ultra Violet inks, it is the chemical which, when exposed to Ultra Violet light, breaks certain chemical bonds in the system (ink) to start the chain reactions which cause polymer formation. This chemical is commonly referred to as a catalyst. Refer IM.

PHOTOPOLYMER

Plate material that is photosensitive and upon exposure, its compounds polymerise to form a tough, abrasion resistant surface which becomes the inking media. Refer IM.

PIAA

(The) Printing Industry Association of Australia. LATMA is allied with this organisation. Formerly called PATEFA – Printing & Allied Trade Employers Federation of Australia.

PICK

That quality of paper as it relates to the tendency of fibres or particles to be pulled away from the surface when removed from tacky surfaces such as printing plates.

PIECEWORK

Describes a payroll system generally used in production environments where employees are paid according to the actual number of pieces produced in a given time period.

PIGGYBACK

Pressure sensitive constructions that have two release coated liners, two layers of adhesive and a face material which allows a label to be applied, complete with backing, for future or further application. Also it is possible to have carbon inks imbedded in the adhesives. Refer LM specification sheets.

PIGMENT

Finely ground, solid particles used to give colour or opacity to printing inks and coatings, and usually insoluble in such a mixture.

PIN FEED – See FEED SLOTS

PIN REGISTER

The use of accurately positioned holes and special pins or pin bars on copy, film, plates and presses to insure proper register of colours.

PINCH ROLLER – See NIP ROLLER or PULL ROLLER

PIN HOLE

A very small hole which may permit the passage of light, moisture or electrical current.

PINHOLING

Refers to the failure of a printed ink to form a complete film. This condition will become visible by the appearance of small holes in the solid print area.

PIPING

Also known as tunnelling, a condition occurring in an incompletely bonded laminate characterised by release of longitudinal portions of the substrate and delamination of these portions to form these pipelike structures. The material fails to adhere to release paper (liner) or film tightly enough and a line of air forms between them. Usually starts at one edge and works across the web.

PITCH DIAMETER

The measurement of a gear or cylinder, determined by dividing the circumference by Pi (3.1416). Example; 96 teeth gear at 1/8th” = 12″ cylinder or 304.8mm.

PLASTICISER

A substance added to materials to impart softness, flexibility, workability, elongation and dispensability.

PLASTICISER MIGRATION

The migration of liquid plasticisers from some plastics into an adhesive and/or face material. Often causes excessive softening or degradation of adhesives.

PLASTICISER RESISTANCE

Some inks can be formulated to resist plasticisers, thereby reducing the effects of plasticiser migration.

PLATE

The image carrier in letterpress and flexographic printing.

PLATE CYLINDER

There are two types of plate cylinders; the integral, with the shaft a permanent part of the body, and the demountable, in which the shaft is removable to receive a multiplicity of bodies of varying diameters, and in some cases face widths. These plate rollers are undercut in their diameter so as to accommodate various thicknesses of mounting tape and plate materials.

PLATE ROLL – See PLATE CYLINDER

PLATEN PRESS

Printing press in which a flat surface bearing the paper is pressed against a flat surface bearing the inked type.

PLIABILITY – See FLEXIBILITY

PLY

Each layer in a multi-layered structure. 3 ply is the common term for timber that is made up of three sheets of wood with the grain at 90 degrees from each other and laminated together to form one piece.

POINT

Printer’s unit of measurement to designate type size. There are 12 points to a pica; approximately 72 points to an inch (25.4mm). Also a term used for an expression of thickness of a sheet of material in one-thousands of an inch increments, ie. 7 point = .007″ thick. Note: All computer lettering and type faces are configured in the traditional styles and sizes using point measurements.

POISE

The unit of viscosity, expressed as one dyne per second per square centimetre.

POLAR – See NON-POLAR

POLAR SOLVENT

Solvents with oxygen in their molecule, ie. alcohols, water, esters, etc.

POLARITY

Refers to the relative surface charge of the material, resulting from the molecular structure of the adhered surface.

POLYCARBONATE

A high clarity film having the versatility of acetate with the durability of polyester.

POLYESTER

A strong film having good resistance to moisture, solvents, oils, etc. Usually transparent, although available with opaque and metallised finish. A clear complex ester formed by polymerisation or condensation. Excellent strength, clarity and dimensially stable.

POLYESTER LINER

A polyester film that is silicone release coated. It provides an excellent die cutting surface and is also used on overlaminating films to provide a smooth, glass-like surface of adhesive. Refer NS & LM specification sheets.

POLYESTER METALLISED FILM

A clear polyester film, vacuum metallised on one side to provide a metallic look. Refer LM specification sheets.

POLYESTER OVERLAMINATE

A clear, glossy polyester film coated with clear acrylic adhesive. Can also be supplied with a matte surface. Refer LM specification sheets.

POLYETHYLENE

A tough, stretchy plastic film having very good low temperature characteristics. Also used a great deal for producing semi-rigid recyclable bottles.

POLYMER

A compound formed by the reaction of simple molecules called monomers, having functional groups that permit their combination to proceed to high molecular weights under suitable conditions. A long-chain molecular structure.

POLYMERISATION

A chemical reaction initiated by a catalyst, heat or light, in which monomers and/or oligomers combine to form a polymer.

POLYPROPYLENE

Similar to polythene but stronger and having a higher temperature resistance. Various thermoplastic plastics are polymers of polypropylene; excellent clarity. Also used in various thicknesses in the printing of labels as well as backing or liner materials.

POLYSTYRENE

A thermoplastic produced by the polymerisation of styrene. The electrical insulating properties are outstandingly good and the material is relatively unaffected by moisture.

POLYVINYL

Refers to a group of resins formed by polymerising various vinyl monomers.

POLYVINYLIDENE CHLORIDE

A usually very thin transparent film with excellent resistance to acids, water and organic solvents.

POOR TRAPPING

Condition in wet printing that results when less ink transfers to previously printed ink (wet-on-wet), than to unprinted paper. Also called under-trapping.

POP

Point Of Purchase. The location at which a product is sold, the store or retail counter.

POP DISPLAY

The displays or merchandising units used at the point of purchase.

POROSITY

That property of paper that governs the degree of permeability. ie. The passage of a substance through it.

POST CURE

The continuation of a polymerisation (curing) process within a Ultra Violet ink or coating after exposure to Ultra Violet radiation has been terminated. Usual cure time is 1/40th of a second at 76mm focus from lamp center at 30 meters per minute. However some colours only surface cure during that time, and can take longer for the reaction to complete its cycle. ie. Black cures faster when 10-15% Reflex Blue is added to help the reaction time. Refer IM specification sheets.

POT LIFE – Or SHELF LIFE

The time period during which an adhesive, coating or ink remains effective and workable. Refer relevant Manufacturers specification sheets for shelf life.

PP – Recycle code -> 5

Polypropylene. Hard but flexible, waxy surface. Melts at 145 . Translucent, withstands solvents. Very versatile material with many applications. Used for ice cream tubs and food containers, garden utensils, baby baths and lunch boxes. Refer LM specification sheets.

PRE-SEPARATED ART

Artwork in which the basic layout, register marks and major colour is prepared on illustration board and each additional colour plate is drawn on a separate sheet or film overlay.

PRESS, COMBINATION.

A combination press utilises the various printing and embellishing processes in-line. ie. Coating with Flexography, 4 colours – Rotary Letterpress, 1 colour Foil Stamping, 2 colours Silk Screen, Die Cutting, Punching Perforating and Electronic encoding all in one pass. Usually a combination press allows printing units to be removed and exchanged for other printing units, thereby limiting the number of units and the length of the press. Usually a computer coordinated press that needs the artwork, colour separations and die cutting information fed in so the press can be monitored and controlled from one vantage point utilising a colour monitor.

PRESS, IN-LINE

Press with printing units in-line.

PRESS PROOFS

Printed sections of substrate material made on a press to allow for approval or final corrections before the production printing run is made.

PRESS SLIP COATING

An overall emulsion type coating applied in-line on a press to eliminate spray powder, usually having a good degree of slip additive.

PRESS, STACK

Flexographic press with printing units in horizontal stacks.

PRESS VARNISH

A clear varnish applied in-line on a press. It can be overall or printed in pattern form from a plate to allow for dry laps and other uncoated areas.

PRESS, WEB

Press which prints substrates supplied on rolls. Web presses can deliver product in rolls, sheets, fanfolds or product die cut into single units.

PRESSURE BELT

Applies pressure by continuous hold-down of a label following application on automatic label application equipment.

PRESSURE BRIDGE

The steel support, mechanically secured over the die stations, through which the pressure screws are threaded. Commonly used on flexographic machines.

PRESSURE ROLL (ROLLER)

Holds product to be labelled in place for more accurate placement of label.

PRESSURE SCREWS

Steel shafts threaded through the pressure bridge which are used to apply pressure (in a rotary die cutting station) to facilitate even die cutting. Commonly used on flexographic machines.

PRESSURE SENSITIVE

A term commonly used to designate a distinct category of adhesive tapes, adhesive labels and adhesives which in dry (solvent free) form are aggressively and permanently tacky at room temperature, and firmly adhere to a variety of dissimilar surfaces upon mere contact without the need of more than finger or hand pressure. They require no activation by water, solvent or heat in order to exert a strong adhesive holding force toward such materials as paper, plastic, glass, wood, cement and metals.

Pressure sensitives have a sufficiently cohesive holding and elastic nature so that, despite their aggressive tackiness, they can be handled with the fingers and removed from smooth surfaces without leaving a residue. General trade usage by leading tape manufacturers does not sanction extension of the term “pressure sensitive” to embrace tapes and adhesives merely because they are sticky, eg. fly paper, or merely because they adhere or cohere to a particular type of surface, eg. self-sealing envelopes: and terms other than “pressure sensitive” should be used in such cases to avoid confusion.

PRESSURE SENSITIVE LABEL

Misused terminology – Self Adhesive Label. Labels are not self adhering, and require pressure to help the adhesive ‘grab’ the surface to which they are applied to; therefore Pressure Sensitive is the correct term.

A pressure sensitive label product is the die cut part that has been converted through flat sheet or roll fed production equipment utilising the type of pressure sensitive labelstock which has a protective liner. The end product is produced in the form of either rolls, sheets, fanfolds or singles, or by other techniques that produce like products which have been slit or cut from converted labelstock rolls.

Refer relevant National Standard. Refer TLMI Glossary of Terms 1964-92. Refer Labelstock Manufacturers specification sheets.

PRESSURE SENSITIVE LABELSTOCK

The combination of a face material, pressure sensitive adhesive and release liner from which pressure sensitive labels are manufactured.

PRESSURE SENSITIVE LAMINATE – See PRESSURE SENSITIVE LABELSTOCK

PRESSURE SENSITIVE TAPE

A combination of a pressure sensitive with a carrier. Tapes are either self-wound or utilise release liners or films.

PRICE MARK – (LABELSTOCK)

Special pressure sensitive labelstock used to make pricing gun labels for retail outlets. Refer LM specification sheets.

PRIMARY LABEL

Label that acts as the main identification of a product. Often designed to attract attention and contains information to appeal to a buyer and is usually applied at the time of product manufacture. ie. Fruit juice label applied in-line after the bottle has been filled.

PRIME COAT

Base coat applied first to enhance subsequent printing.

PRIME LABEL

A label used to identify and display a product, ie. a major product panel.

PRIMER – Also see BARRIER COAT and TIE COAT

Surface coating applied between face stock and adhesive to improve bond performance and/or prevent bleed of adhesive through the face material.

PRINTABILITY

The ability of a material to accept and hold a printed legend, and especially to resist offset of the printed image when rewound into a roll after printing. Also a collective term used to describe the properties required of all components in the printing process. Refer NS, LM & IM specification sheets.

PROCESS PRINTING

Printing from a series of two or more half-tone plates to produce intermediate colours and shades. In 4-colour process, the colours are yellow, magenta and cyan, with black as the fourth and key colour.

PRODUCTION CONTROL

A system to ensure the efficient use of materials, manpower, facilities and transportation in order to assure the availability of a specific product, in a pre-determined quantity, within a specified time period.

PRODUCTION RUN

The final printing requested by the customer from the original artwork.

PROGRESSIVE PROOFS

Proofs made from the separate images in colour process work, showing the sequence of printing and the result after each additional colour has been applied.

PROOFING PRESS

Press that produces printed progressive proofs.

PROTECTIVE COATING – OVERCOAT – OVERPRINT COATING

A coating that protects the printing and the surface of a pressure sensitive label from either abrasion, sunlight, chemicals (their fumes and dilute solutions) and moisture, or a combination of these.

PSI

Pounds per Square Inch.

PS (RE/EPS) – Recycle code -> 6

Polystyrene. Expanded Polystyrene – EPS. Clear, glassy, rigid, brittle, opaque, semi-tough, melts at 95C. Affected by fats and solvents. In foamed format it is light weight, energy absorbing and heat insulating. Used for yoghurt containers, take-away ‘clamshell’ food containers, fruit boxes and packing. Also used for plastic cutlery, imitation ‘crystal glassware’ and low cost brittle toys. Refer LM specification sheets.

PULL ROLLER – See NIP ROLLER

PULL TAB

Area on a face stock that facilitates easy removal of the label, usually a cut area on a sheeted label. Also called a peel tab or tear tab.

PVC – See POLYVINYL

Polyvinyl Chloride.

Q

QUALITY

Those characteristics of a product that allow the following criteria under controlled repeatable conditions:

1. Manufacture at a given cost-value relationship.

2. Uniformity to meet parameters of customer specifications.

3. Calibre of competitive performance.

QUALITY CONTROL – TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT – QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

A system of inspections and/or tests instituted at various stages of production in manufacturing or printing to ensure that the end product will meet pre-determined standards of quality. Refer NS, LM, IM & O. All Standards of any kind affect quality.

QUICK STICK

That property of a pressure sensitive adhesive which allows it to adhere to a surface under light pressure. Also a measure of the bond strength right after application; quick tack, quick adhesion. Refer NS & LM.

QUIET AREA – See CLEAR AREA

R

RATE OF SET

The time required for an adhesive, under a specific set of conditions, to arrive at a fibre tearing bond. Refer NS & LM.

REACTIVE DILUENT

A liquid used to reduce the viscosity or tack of an ink. The diluent becomes an integral part of the polymer which forms when the ink is cured.

READ AREA

A term used to refer to the scan path or scan area of a bar code.

REAM

Five hundred sheets of paper.

REAM WEIGHT

The amount which one ream of paper weighs. eg. 80gsm = 80 grams per square meter x 4 (number of sheets per square) = 125 square meters x 80 grams = 10,000 grams = 10 kilos for that ream. Refer LM.

RECYCLE

Process that describes reuse of a product.

REDUCERS

In printing inks, varnishes, solvents, oily or greasy compounds used to reduce the body and/or viscosity for printing.

RE/EPS – See POLYSTYRENE

REEL

A finished roll of Labelstock. A finished roll of labels. (Which is it to be???)

REFLECTANCE

The amount of light returned from an illuminated surface.

REFLECTIVE ART

Art which must be photographed by the light reflected from its surface. As apposed to non-reflective art.

REGISTER

The corresponding placement of one colour to the next, etc., as well as the printing placement as it relates to die cutting, scoring, perforating, etc.

REGISTER MARKS

Symbols attached to the original copy prior to photography, used for positioning films in register, or registering two or more colours when printing. In some cases, the register marks are produced on the cutting die as well as the plates.

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

The amount of water vapour present in the atmosphere, expressed as a percentage of maximum that could be present at the same room temperature. Relative humidity affects sheeted labels converted off the press from rolls of Labelstock for use in Laser and Ink-Jet printers. Refer NS & LM.

RELEASE

The force required to free or separate a pressure sensitive label from its release liner, using a specific measuring device. Refer NS & LM.

RELEASE AGENT

Materials used to facilitate the removal of moulded items from their moulds. These agents can cause serious problems in adhesion when applying labels to the moulded products.

RELEASE COAT

The release liner treatment material that allows pressure sensitive labels to release from the release liner. Usually made from silicone sprayed onto the release liner at about 2 grams per square meter. Refer NS & LM.

RELEASE COAT TRANSFER

The transfer of release coat from the release liner to the pressure sensitive adhesive during release.

RELEASE LINER

The component of the pressure sensitive labelstock which functions as a carrier for the pressure sensitive label. Prior to application, it protects the adhesive, and readily separates from the label immediately before the label is applied to product. Refer NS & LM.

RELIEF ANGLE

The angle of the raised portion of a printing plate.

REMOVABILITY

A relative term applied to pressure sensitive labels to describe the force or condition under which they can be removed from a substrate. A removable label would be one in which no damage or staining occurs to the substrate or the face material on removal. Refer AS & LM.

REMOVABLE ADHESIVE

A pressure sensitive adhesive characterised by low ultimate adhesion and clean removability from a wide variety of surfaces. Refer AS & LM.

RENDERING

The finished production of a design, drawing, painting, etc., by hand using any of various artists tools, ie. pencils, pens, knives, brushes or air brushes.

REPEAT

The printing length of a plate cylinder, determined by one revolution of the plate-cylinder gear.

REPOSITIONAL

The ability of a pressure sensitive label to be bonded to a surface, removed and repositioned. This can only be done for a limited period of time (20 minutes). Beyond that time, the bond may begin to become permanent, expect in cases where a removable adhesive is used.

REPOSITIONAL ADHESIVE

A permanent adhesive that can be removed and repositioned for a short, finite, time after application.

REPOSITIONING

The relamination of labels to a different location on the backing sheet following diecutting.

RESIDUE

Something that remains after a part is removed, such as removing a label and leaving adhesive on the surface.

RESISTIVITY

The ability of a material to resist passage of electrical current either through its bulk or on a surface. The resistivity unit of volume is the ohm-cm.

RETARDERS

Combination of liquids, solvents and extenders that are added to an adhesive, coating or ink to slow down the drying rate of the material. Refer IM.

REVERSE ANGLE DOCTOR BLADE – See DOCTOR BLADE

REVERSE PRINTING

Printing on the underside of a transparent film. Also a design in which the copy is ‘dropped-out’ and the background is printed making the copy appear in the colour of the background.

REVERSE ROLLER COATING

The coating is pre-metered between two rollers, then wiped off onto the web, which is driven by a third back-up roller. The amount of coating is controlled by the gap between the metering and applicator rollers and also by relative speed or rotation between the same two rollers.

REWIND (SHAFT) – or TO REWIND

The take-up spindle or mandrel on a press. Also the act of winding a roll of material through a machine to effect the opposite unwind.

REWINDING AND INSPECTION

The operation of winding the material from a press roll onto a core (or coreless) to produce rolls of the desired width, diameter and tension. Out-of-specification or damaged labels can be removed and replaced during this operation. Slices and/or joins are also made during this operation.

RIGHT READING

An image whose parts are spatially oriented to each other as they are on the original or as they are to be printed, in contrast to the way they would appear reflected in a mirror.

ROCKWELL HARDNESS

A method of determining the surface hardness of a substance. Degree of hardness. Also called ‘Shore’.

ROLLER COATER

A machine utilising rollers to mechanically apply an adhesive or coating to flexible substrates.

ROLL LABEL

Pressure sensitive labels that are produced in a continuous roll form.

ROLL-TO-ROLL or REEL-TO-REEL

A method of running material through a printing machine. A roll of material is fed into a printing unit, is printed, die cut etc., then is rewound into a roll as it exits the machine.

ROLL-TO-SHEET

A method of running material through a printing machine. A roll of material is fed into a printing unit, is printed, die cut etc., then is sheeted as it exits the printing machine.

ROTARY PRESS

A press that in normal use features a roll-to-roll (reel-to-reel) operation.

ROTARY PRINTING

Accomplished by means of a cylindrical impression cylinder and a cylindrical printing plate.

ROTOGRAVURE PRINTING – GRAVURE

Printing process that utilises cylinders that have the design etched into the metal surface. The material to be printed comes in contact with the etched cylinder (which is carrying the ink) and the ink is transferred. A rubber pressure roller facilitates this transfer. Also known as Gravure printing.

ROUGH SKETCH – Also called THUMB NAIL SKETCH

An impromptu drawing of a picture or design to present a concept, often in colour. Often developed into comprehensive artwork for reproduction. Note that copyright is automatic for sketches and artwork.

RUB TEST

Test performed to determine the durability and abrasion resistance of the printed surface of a label. Refer NS, LM & IM. Also refer to PAGE>>> for the Sutherland Rub Tester and a description of the equipment as recommended by the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia, and contained in the Australian Standard.

RUBBER BASE ADHESIVE

Pressure sensitive adhesive based on natural or synthetic rubber. Can be coated as a solvent, hot melt or emulsion system. Refer LM.

RUNNING REGISTER

That control on a flexographic press which accurately positions, while in the run mode, the printing of each colour station in the direction of the web travel. Also called circumferential register or longitudinal register.

RUPTURE

A cleavage or break in the adhesive film, resulting from physical stress.

S

SANDWICH CONSTRUCTIONS – Also known as PIGGYBACK

Panels composed of a lightweight core material to which two relatively thin, dense, high strength faces or skins are adhered. Also refers to sandwich of pressure sensitive materials – two liners and a facestock. Facestock has adhesive, laminated to liner that also has adhesive and is laminated to the base liner. The resulting label is three part and can be used twice, and with NCR added to the adhesive, becomes a self copying label after the first image is impressed onto the face stock. Refer LM.

SATURATION (IMPREGNATION)

The addition of various materials such as latex or rubber to a face material so as to improve its various physical properties.

SCAN

The electronic search for a symbol which is to be optically recognised. A search for marks to be recognised by the recognition unit of an optical scanner.

SCORE

To make an impression or a partial cut in a material for the purpose of bending, creasing, folding or tearing.

SCORE CUT – See SCORE

SCORING – See SCORE

SCRAP – See WASTE

SCREEN PRINTING

A method of printing in which the ink is forced (squeegeed) through a design on a taut screen (fine mesh) onto the object to be printed. Usually in flat format, but now screen printing units are available for rotary type presses.

SCUFF – See RUB TEST

The action of rubbing against a surface with applied pressure. Also the damage which has taken place through rubbing. Refer NS, LM & IM.

SEALER – See BARRIER COAT

A coating designed to prevent the passage of a substance through a substrate; barrier coat.

SECOND SURFACE PRINTING

Refers to printing on another surface in addition to the primary surface.

SECONDARY LABEL

Sometimes smaller than a primary label with information covering ingredients, nutrition, instructions for use, cautions and warnings, prices, promotional advertising, rebates, etc.

SELF-ADHESIVE LABEL – See PRESSURE SENSITIVE LABEL

SELF-ADHESIVE PRODUCTS – See PRESSURE SENSITIVE LABEL

SELF-CHECKING

A bar code or symbol using a checking algorithm which can be applied to each character to guard against undetected errors. Non self-checking codes may employ a check digit or other redundancy in addition to the data message.

SELF-EXTINGUISHING

A somewhat loosely used term describing the ability of a material to cease burning once the source of flame has been removed.

SELF-WOUND

A roll of material with a single liner, which is coated on both sides with a release coating and a carrier having a pressure sensitive adhesive on both sides. Also a material that has pressure sensitive adhesive applied to one side and then rolled up on itself (no liner).

SELVEDGE

That part of the roll of pressure sensitive along the web, that does not have adhesive. Refer LM.

SEMI-AUTOMATIC

A labelling machine in which only part of the operation is controlled by the direct action of a human. The automatic part of the operation is controlled by the machine.

SEMI-GLOSS PAPER

Coated one sided lithography (litho) paper.

SEPARATOR – See PATTERN COATED

SERIAL CODE

A bar code symbol typically used with a fixed beam scanner where the scanning action is caused by the motion of the symbol past the scanning head. The bits of the symbol are evaluated one at a time as the symbol passes.

SERVICE TEMPERATURE

The temperature range that a pressure sensitive label will withstand after 24-72 hours residence time on the labelled surface. The range is expressed in degrees Fahrenheit and/or Celsius. Refer NS & LM.

SET

The point during the bonding process when the adhesive has reached such structural proportions so as to prevent the movement of the substrates surface.

SET-OFF

Improperly dried or cured inks or coatings that transfer to the back of the liner material either in roll form or sheet form. Refer NS, LM & IM.

SETUPS – See MAKEREADY

SHARPEN

To decrease in colour strength, as when half-tone dots are made smaller.

SHEAR – See COHESIVE STRENGTH

The relative movement of adjacent layers in a liquid or plastic during flow.

SHEAR CUT

Term that describes a cut of a continuous web of stock using an action similar to the action of scissors.

SHEAR RATE

Time required for breakdown of the shear strength.

SHEAR STRENGTH

The relative resistance of an adhesive coated film or paper to a stress applied in such a manner that the adhering surfaces slide in a plane parallel to their plane of contact; the internal or cohesive strength of the adhesive. Refer NS & LM.

SHEAR STRESS

Where normal stress is perpendicular to the designed plane, shear stress is parallel to the plane.

SHEAR TEST

A method of separating adhesive bonded materials by forcing the interfaces to slide over each other. The force exerted is distributed over the entire bonded area at the same time. Strengths are recorded in kilos per square centimetre, or in minutes or hours to failure. Refer NS & LM.

SHEET FED

Designates a printing press to which paper is fed in sheets rather than in rolls.

SHEET FORM

Pressure sensitive labelstock packaged in sheets, designed for use on a sheet fed press. Refer NS & LM.

SHEETING

A method of converting rolls of labelstock into sheets (usually A4 size with die cut labels positioned) on a roll label press.

SHELF LIFE

The period of time during which a product can be stored under specified conditions and still remain suitable for use. Normally 6-9 months. Also called storage life. Refer NS & LM.

SHELL CUP

A device for measuring viscosity.

SHELLAC

An alcohol soluble natural resin widely used in flexography inks.

SHORE HARDNESS

A method of determining the hardness of a material using a scelroscope.

SHRINK WRAPPING

A method of packaging where labels are overwrapped with a heat sensitive polymer or cellophane shrink film and then passed through a heat tunnel to shrink the film tightly against the labels.

SHRINKAGE

Reduction in any dimension.

SIDE ROLL – See OFF-CUT

SILICONE

A polymer of organo-siloxane used as an ink additive to aid ink flow out. Also used for pressure sensitive adhesives capable of withstanding extreme temperatures. A polymeric material with exceptionally high repellency properties towards adhesives, and used extensively in the coating of release liners. Refer NS & LM.

SILICONE ADHESIVE

Adhesive compounds of this base have remarkable stability through a wide temperature range. Chief limitations for present use are their high temperature cure, and sensitivity to aliphatic and aromatic fuels; pressure sensitive adhesive which permits bonding to difficult surfaces; outstanding high temperature and low temperature performance; highly resistant to oxidation, ozone and corona radiation and has good dielectric properties. Refer LM.

SILICONE COATING

A unique polymer system which can be a very effective release coating.

SILICONE STAIN TEST

A water based stain used to test silicone coating coverage and continuity on the die cut paper release liners.

SINGLE FACED

Where adhesive is applied to one side of a carrier, as in self-wound laminating films and tapes.

SIZE – See PRIMER

SIZE PRESS

Section of paper machine where surface treatments, such as a starch solution, are applied to the paper to give it special qualities.

SKELETON – See MATRIX

SKID

Wooden or plastic platform on which most materials are now shipped. Not usually a full sized pallet, but undersized in height from the ground.

SKIPPING

Missing print, tints or coatings on a substrate due to dry-in of ink or coatings in the cells of the anilox roller.

SKIPS

Areas wherein the adhesive or the release coating are missing from the lamination.

SLIP ADDITIVE
Additive to inks or varnishes to effect improved slip or lubricating qualities.

SLIP SHEET OR INTERLINER

Interleave layer of material utilised to assist converting thin, unmanageable materials. This layer is later removed.

SLIT

To cut rolls of labelstock to specified widths. Either rotary (scissor action) or Stationery (razor or air) knives or blades are used with mechanical unwinding and rewinding devices that are controlled to ensure that correct tracking and tension of the roll from the master reel to the converted widths takes place. Most Labelstock converters purchase their stock – pre-slit by the Labelstock Manufacturers.

SLIT BACK – See SPLIT BACK

SLIT FACE – See SPLIT FACE

SLITTER

A machine to cut roll labelstock in the long direction and rewind onto useable core diameters. Three types are used: 1> Razor blade slitter. 2> Shear slitter 3> Score slitter

SLOT

A cut made in a material of a specific size and location. May have the face material removed when used to feed through imprinters.

SLUG

Old term – a strip of linotype or Ludlow (printers’ type letters in one piece – lead). New term – small piece of flexographic printing plate used to print variable information.

SMOOTHNESS TEST

The relative smoothness of paper is determined in a precision instrument which, under closely controlled circumstances, measures the length of time for a specified volume of air to pass the surfaces of the samples being tested. The result is expressed in seconds and fractions thereof.

SMUDGE RESISTANCE

Resistance of a printed paper surface to ink blurring or smearing and thus related to the absorption of the paper. Refer NS, LM & IM.

SOFT DOT

A dot is referred to as ‘soft’ when the halo surrounding it is excessive and almost equals the area of the dot itself.

SOLIDS CONTENT

The percentage weight of non-volatile components in an ink, coating or adhesive.

SOLVENT

A chemical substance capable of thinning or reducing the viscosity of ink, coating or adhesive. Specifically, a solvent is a liquid that dissolves another substance.

SOLVENT ADHESIVE

Adhesive components that are dissolved in a variety of organic solvents for coating. Rubber or acrylic based systems can be coated this way. Refer LM.

SOLVENT-FREE

The absence of any solvent in an ink, coating or adhesive.

SOLVENT RESISTANCE

The resistance of a pressure sensitive label to the action of specific organic liquids. May apply to either adhesive, printing or the labelstock. Refer LM & IM.

SOLVENT RETENTION

The solvent that remains in the adhesive or ink. If the adhesive is not thoroughly dried, solvent retention could reduce the efficiency of the adhesive. If all the solvent is not removed from the ink, the retentive portions will tend to keep the ink soft. Refer LM & IM.

SOLVENTLESS SILICONE

A silicone release coating applied without the use of any organic solvent or water. Also known as 100 percent solids silicone. Refer LM.

SPACE

The lighter element of a bar code formed by the background between bars.

SPECIFIC ADHESION

The force required to remove a pressure sensitive adhesive from a specific product under specified conditions. Also the relative tendency of adhesives to form bonds on specific surfaces. Some may be permanent on one surface and removable from another. Refer NS & LM.

SPECIFIC GRAVITY

The ratio of the weight of a specimen to the weight of an equal volume of water.

SPLICE

A method of joining webs to produce an operational continuous web. Refer NS & LM.

SPLIT BACK

Slits in the release liner to facilitate its removal by hand.

SPLIT FACE

Slits in face of pressure sensitive product usually for the purpose of facilitating removal from the release coated backing (liner).

SPLIT LINER – See SPLIT BACK

SPOT LABEL

Label that does not extend completely around can or bottle. Usually confined to less than half the circumference.

SPOT VARNISH – See PATTERN VARNISH

SPREAD

The enlargement of a printed image from a printing plate to the printed image. Also a photographic spread of artwork to achieve required ink bleeds or traps.

SPREADS AND CHOKES – See CHOKES and SPREADS

SPUNBOUND OLEFIN

Describes a synthetic plastic material formed by the random distribution of very fine continuous fibres which are selfbonded by heat and pressure.

SQUEEZE-OUT

The flow of excess adhesive or coating when pressure is applied. Can be caused by very tightly wound rolls of labelstock or converted labels. Refer NS & LM.

STABILISE

To increase the steadiness of a film, keep it from changing or fluctuating. Usually vinyl films are stabilised by laminating a polyester to one or both sides of the vinyl.

STABILISED KRAFT

Term used to describe paper that is treated to provide moisture resistance and dimensional stability. Refer NS & LM.

STABILISER

An ingredient used in formulation of some plastics, especially elastomers, to assist in maintaining the physical and chemical properties of the compounded materials at their initial values throughout the processing and service life of the material.

STACK PRESS

Flexographic press where the printing stations are placed one above the other, each with its own impression roller.

STACKER

Device on the tale-off end of a press that automatically stacks sheeted or single labels.

STAIN RESISTANCE

The ability of a label to be applied to a surface without discolouring that surface. Also the ability of a printed label to resist staining due to exposure to the product being labelled.

STAINING

A discolouration of a surface caused by adhesive residue.

STANDARD CONDITION

The condition reached by a specimen when it has attained equilibrium under a specified temperature and humidity; usually 73 F +/- 2 degrees and 50 +/- 3% RH.

START/STOP CHARACTER

A bar code character that provides the scanner with start or stop reading instructions as well as code orientation. The start character is normally at the left hand side end of a ‘picket fence’ oriented code. The stop character is normally at the right hand end.

STATIC

Electrical charges generated when handling materials which cause those materials to cling together. Static charges can jump (earth) to humans or equipment causing shock or fire if solvent is present. With reference to films, static causes them to cling to one another or to other insulating surfaces.

STATIC ELECTRICITY

A build-up electrical charge on the surface of a substrate or other surfaces, usually induced by friction and usually under low atmospheric humidity conditions.

STATIC ELIMINATOR

A device for neutralising static electricity.

STATIC NEUTRALISER

On printing presses, it is an attachment designed to remove static electricity from paper to avoid ink set-off and trouble with the feeding of the paper. On flexographic presses, static can cause problems when sheeting takes place at the delivery end of the machine.

STEEL-TO-STEEL LABEL – See ANVIL CUT or SHEETED LABELS

STEP AND REPEAT

The act of or equipment for the positioning and exposing multiple complete images onto film in preparation for plate making. ie. If a job is printed 16 up (2 across web x 8 down) and positioned to fit a die, then to prepare one image 16 times in registered position is called to ‘step and repeat’.

STEPPED ANVIL – See UNDERCUT ANVIL

STICK

To stick. Designating adhesion or stickiness (tack).

STICKYBACK

Double faced adhesive coated material used for mounting printing plates to the cylinder, or flat-bed cutting dies to the platen. Refer NS & LM.

STIFFNESS

The measure or degree of resistance to bending stress of a material.

STOCK

Paper or other material to be converted. Also called substrate.

STORAGE STABILITY

The ability of a material to be stored under normal conditions of temperature and humidity without change in its properties. Refer NS & LM.

STRETCH/SHRINK FACTORS

Calculations of dimensional change which occur in rubber plate moulding and mounting and photopolymer plate mounting when applied to the plate cylinder.

STOCHASTIC (Screening) – Also known as Crystal Raster and Diamond Screening.

Non conventional screening. No moire pattern and the dot is measured in microns. There is no set pattern or angle to the screen, and the plates are used to increase detail and give a sharper image to a screen image. Usually utilised with four (4) colour tone printing.

STRIATION

A fine streaky pattern of parallel lines, usually in the cross direction of the web travel.

STRIKE-THROUGH

The penetration of the adhesive or ink through the substrate.

STRINGINESS

A condition of the adhesive in which it feels very soft and mushy, and on close examination relatively ling ‘strings’ of adhesive can be pulled out of the adhesive.

STRIP COATED – See PATTERN COATED

STRIPPED

When separate pieces of film are taped together to create the complete printing image. Also refers to die cut labels from which the matrix has been removed.

STRIPPER PLATE – See PEELER PLATE

STRIPPING

The removal of the face material (usually with the adhesive) outside and around the die cut shape of the label, around a roller which assists the matrix on its way to be re-wound.

STUB ROLL

A short roll of face material or pressure sensitive label stock.

STYRENE – See POLYSTYRENE

A liquid unsaturated hydrocarbon (C8H8).

SUBSTRATE

The surface to which a label is applied, adherend. Converters also refer to the face stock being printed as the substrate. Refer NS & LM.

SUBSURFACE PRINTING

Printing the underside of a transparent film. Ultimately the ink will be sandwiched between the film that was printed and the film or surface to which it is applied.

SULFITE

Acid process of cooking pulp. Also the pulp cooked by this process.

SUNLIGHT RESISTANCE

The ability of a material to resist the deteriorating effects of sunlight especially those wavelengths in the ultraviolet and the Infrared ends of the spectrum. Refer IM.

SUNLIGHT RESISTANT ADHESIVE

An adhesive which contains an inhibitor to resist destruction by ultraviolet rays. Refer LM.

SUPER CALENDER (Paper)

A calender stack used to alter the surface properties and appearance of a paper. It is constructed on the same general principle as a calender, except that alternate chilled cast-iron and soft rollers are used in the super calender. The soft rollers are constructed of highly compressed cotton or paper. It is not part of the paper machine, whereas the regular calender stack is.

SURFACE COATED (Paper)

A term applied to any paper which has one or both sides coated with a pigment, clay or other suitable material. Refer LM.

SURFACE PREPARATION

The physical and chemical methods used to prepare a surface for further processing.

SURFACE RESISTIVITY

The electrical resistance of a material between the two opposite points of a unit of its surface.

SURFACE SIZED

Paper that has been treated with starch or other sizing material at the size press of the paper machine. This term is used interchangeably with the term ‘tub-sized’ although ‘tub-size’ more properly refers to surface sizing applied as a separate operation where the paper is immersed in a tub of sizing (starch or glue), after which it passes between squeeze rollers and is air dried.

SURFACE TENSION

The property, due to molecular forces, by which all liquids through contraction of the surface, tend to bring the contained volume into a form having the least area. If an ink is to be compatible with a substrate, the surface tension of the ink must approximate that of the substrate. Refer LM & IM.

SURFACE TREATING – See PRIMER, SIZING and CORONA DISCHARGE

SURFACTANTS

A coined word used in industry to include all surface active agents.

SYMBOL LENGTH

The length of a symbol measured from the beginning of the quiet area adjacent to the start character to the end of the quiet area adjacent to the stop character.

SYNTHETIC RESIN

Resins prepared by chemical means.

SYNTHETIC RUBBER

Elastomer manufactured by a chemical process as distinguished from natural rubber obtained from trees.

SYNTHETICS

Those materials developed and manufactured through chemistry, which tend to replace natural products.

T

TACK
The property of a pressure sensitive label which causes it to adhere to a surface instantly with a minimum of pressure and contact time. It is the feeling of stickiness obtained when the surface of an adhesive is touched or when a label is applied to a surface and quickly pulled away.

TACK RANGE
The time during which an adhesive remains sticky. Refer NS & LM.

TACKIFIER

An additive used to improve the stickiness or tack of an adhesive.

TACKINESS
The stickiness of the adhesive.

TAG LABEL

Labels on heavy paper or tag stock with die cut holes so labels can be folded over a packaging material as in a header or hanger label.

TAGS

Any identification that is only partially affixed to the product. System tags: converted through roll fed production equipment. Merchandise tags: converted through narrow web roll fed production equipment.

TAMPER-EVIDENT LABEL

A pressure sensitive construction made of material which will partially destruct when tampered with. Used on a variety of items including packages, library books, bottles and important documents.

TAMPERPROOF

Destructible. A pressure sensitive material which can not be removed intact from a substrate thus making reuse of the label impossible.

TAPE

A single faced, self wound, adhesive coated substrate wound on spools for consumer use.

TAPPI

Technical Association of the Paper and Pulp Industry. USA

TARNISHPROOF LABEL

Refers to a pressure sensitive label being free of substances that will discolour or blemish copper or silver.

TEAR STRENGTH

Force required to tear a specimen under standardised conditions, with an instrument designed to measure the force required, by simulating usage conditions under which tearing might be accomplished. Refer NS & LM.

TEAR TAB

An additional area of face stock attached by the release liner to a pressure sensitive label produced in single form to facilitate removal of the release liner.

TEDLAR

Du Pont’s trademark for bi-axially oriented polyvinyl fluoride. One of the most durable, chemical resistant, protective films.

TEETH PER INCH – (TPI)

Denotes the number of cuts per inch in a perforation blade. Refer Die Manufacturers for TPI availability.

TELESCOPING

Transverse slipping of successive winds of a roll of material so that the edge is conical rather than flat.

TENSILE STRENGTH

The force parallel to the plane of the specimen required to break a given width and length of stock under specified conditions. Refer NS & LM.

TENSION

The mechanical control of unwinding or rewinding paper, film, foil and other roll materials. The stress caused by a force operating to extend, stretch or pull apart. Not that paper can, if the machine tension is not controlled correctly, grow in length.

TENSION RELEASE

Loss of tension within a roll of material, usually occurs when there is an actual shrinkage of the adhesive. Once this happens, register control is not possible and the roll must be rewound to re-establish tension.

THERIMAGE

A method of container decoration that utilises pressure and heat to transfer the image from a carrier to the surface of a container.

THERMAL

Refers to the use of heat in any process. Ie. Hot foil stamping. Thermal transfer etc.

THERMAL PROOF

A computer generated colour proof utilising coarse screens, etc., to simulate a finished design. Not useable as artwork. Refer NS.

THERMAL TRANSFER PAPER

A face paper or pressure sensitive paper specifically designed to accept heat activated ink from the ribbon of a thermal transfer printer. A simple test to discover whether paper is thermal transfer or not, is to hold a flame close to the paper surface – if it blackens or discolours – it is thermal paper. Refer LM.

THERMOGRAPHIC

A printing method utilising heat to achieve an image.

THERMOGRAPHIC PAPER – See THERMAL TRANSFER PAPER

THERMOSET

The property of an adhesive normally fluid to set or become rigid and non-meltable when heated.

THICKNESS

The distance from one surface of either tape, label or adhesive to the other, usually expressed in mils, microns or thousandths of an inch. This is normally measured under slight pressure with a special gauge. Refer NS & LM.

THIXOTROPIC

Describes materials which exhibit thixotropy.

THIXOTROPY

The ability of gel like liquids to ‘thin out’ when under shear forces or when agitated.

THREAD

In a press or coating machine, the routing of a web between the various rollers or other parts of the machine – ‘thread up’ or ‘web up’ are two other terms commonly used.

TIE

A term used to denote the uncut portion of the perforation.

TIE COAT

One layer of a coating used to improve the adhesion of ink or other coatings to follow. Also called ‘Primer’ and ‘Barrier Coat’.

TIGHT RELEASE

The level of adhesion between the release liner and the adhesive on a pressure sensitive material, when the liner is difficult to remove. Refer NS & LM.

TINTS

Even tone areas (strengths) of a solid colour.

TOLERANCE

A specified range that products must fall within. Refer NS & LM & IM & O.

TOOLING

Usually refers to die cutters, butt cutters, etc., used to cut out the labels. Mostly used to refer to all tooling necessary to produce the finished product; blocks and die cutters.

TOOTH COUNT

Refers to the actual number of teeth there are on the gear which is attached to the dies and printing cylinders. Each tooth count refers to a separate and actual repeat length. Ie. 96 teeth at 1/8″ = 12″ repeat.

TOP LAMINATION – See OVERLAMINATING

TOPCOAT

A surface treatment or coating on a material which enhances ink receptivity. Also refers to protective coating.

TORSION

Stress caused by twisting a material.

TOXICITY

The degree or intensity of virulence of a substrate judged to be injurious to living tissue; poisonous.

TPI – See TEETH PER INCH – See GEAR CHART at back of Glossary.

TRACKING

The manner in which a web travels through rotary equipment.

TRACTOR FEED – See PIN FEED

TRANSFER ADHESIVE SANDWICH

Pressure sensitive adhesive coated between two release liners with a release differential, so that the release liners can be peeled away successively, in order that the adhesive alone can be applied to a substrate. Refer NS & LM.

TRANSFER ROLLER

Plain or engraved roller rotating in contact with another plain roller or doctor blade transferring variable amounts of ink in a flexographic inking system.

TRANSFER TAPE

A pressure sensitive adhesive, unsupported, applied to a two-sided differentially release coated liner. Refer NS & LM.

TRANSLUCENCY

Ability to transmit diffused light without being fully transparent. Refer NS.

TRANSLUCENT

Transmitting light in a diffuse manner so that objects beyond cannot be clearly distinguished; partially transparent. Refer NS & LM.

Special Note: Translucent and transparent are names often confused for similar but different outcomes.

TRANSPARENCY

Colour or monochrome photographic positive on a transparent base (film). Also that property of a material which transmits light rays so that objects can be clearly seen through it. Refer NS & LM.

TRANSPARENT

Transmitting light without appreciable scattering so that objects beyond are clearly distinguishable. Refer NS & LM.

TRANSPARENT LABEL

A pressure sensitive label whose face material, adhesive and protective coatings, transmit light so that objects can be seen through it. Also called ‘No label look’. Refer NS & LM.

TRANSVERSE DIRECTION

The direction of a labelstock from left to right, from side to side, as opposed to the web direction; cross direction. Refer LM.

TRAPPING

The overlapping of various colours in a design to prevent their separating and not touching as a result of registration variables during printing. The condition of printing ink on ink, making sure the first down ink is dry when the next one is printed over it to properly hide the first colour down. This can also be achieved by printing each successive colour after Ultra Violet curing, and in the case of oil based inks, each colour with a decreased viscosity.

TRIM

The normal edge waste from a master roll of labelstock. A term used to describe an action on the press ‘trim’ the paper, ‘trim’ the edge.

TRIM MARKS – See CROP MARKS

In printing, marks placed on the copy, and sometimes printed, to indicate the edge of the label where it will be cut.

TUNNEL – (Drying)

The compartment through which a web passes for drying after printing.

TUNNELLING

A condition caused by incomplete bonding of laminates, characterised by release of longitudinal portions of the substrate and deformation of these portions to form tunnel-like structures.

TURN BAR – See TURNING BARS

TURNING BARS

An arrangement of stationery bars on a press, which guide the web in such a manner that it is turned front to back, and will be printed on the reverse side by the printing units located subsequent to the turn(ing) bars. Often used to produce sheet labels where the liner is printed with instructions or tradenames, then the labelstock is turned right side up so that the labelstock surface can receive the die cut.

TYVEK

Du Pont’s trademark for spun bonded polyolefin material frequently used as a face material where very high tensile strength is required. Often used for snow ski tickets.

U

UL

Underwriters’ Laboratories. USA.

ULTIMATE ADHESION

The maximum adhesion possible from a pressure sensitive adhesive. Refer LM.

ULTIMATE STRENGTH

The maximum stress a material is capable of withstanding under specified load or tension. Refer NS & LM.

ULTRA VIOLET – ULTRAVIOLET – UV

Zone of visible radiation(s) beyond the violet end of the spectrum of visible radiations. Since UV wave lengths are shorter than the visible, their photons have more energy, enough to initiate some chemical reactions. Radiation from a source such as a high pressure mercury vapour lamp made of quartz, emits UV light in the 315 to 400 nanometre range (just below visible light). This light is used to trigger a chemical reaction in the ink on a press, and causes the ink to cure. Curing time is usually 1/40th of 1 second. Refer IM.

UNBLEACHED

A term applied to paper or pulp which has not been treated with bleaching agents.

UNDER CURE

Degree of cure less than optimum. May be evidenced by tackiness, softness, off-colour or inferior physical properties of a coating.

UNDERCUT ANVIL – Also STEPPED ANVIL

Die station base roller that has had the ‘bearer’ area diameter reduced in order to allow the blades of a rotary die to cut deeper than was originally intended.

UNDERCUT PLATE CYLINDER – See PLATE CYLINDER

UNDER-RUN

Production or delivery of labels which falls short of the quantity specified by the client order. Refer NS.

UNWIND

Mandrel and brake device from which a roll of labelstock is unwound and fed into a web press.

UNWIND ADHESION

The force required to unwind self wound laminating film from a roll under prescribed conditions.

UPC SYMBOLS – See BAR CODES

UV – See ULTRA VIOLET

The part of the spectrum wherein the wavelength of light is shorter than that of visible light.

UV CURING

A system which uses ultra violet rays to affect a curing process.

UV INHIBITOR

A chemical additive that increases resistance to degradation caused by UV light.

UV INK

Solvent-less, 100% solids ink that is cured by ultra violet radiation and then becomes chemically inert. Refer IM.

UV RESISTANCE

The ability of any material to withstand extended exposure to sunlight without degradation, hardening or excessive discolouration.

UV STABILISER

Any chemical compound which, when mixed with a thermoplastic resin, selectively absorbs UV rays.

UV VARNISH

Lacquer or varnish usually applied over printed web used as a protective layer that is cured by exposure to a high intensity UV light source. Refer IM.

V

VARNISH

A thin, clear coating of mixtures of natural and synthetic resins and drying oils applied to a printed web for protection or appearance. In ink making, it can be part of the ink’s vehicle or carrier. Refer IM.

VEHICLE

In printing inks, the fluid component which serves as the dispersant for the pigment and gives the ink flow (carrier). Refer IM.

VIGNETTE

An illustration in which the background fades gradually until it blends into the unprinted area.

VINYL

Synthetic plastic product which can be made in film, sheet or other forms. Vinyls can be manufactured in rigid or flexible constructions. Generally more flexible and formable than polyesters. Also known as PVC or polyvinyl chloride. A tough durable plastic film having excellent resistance to oils, chemicals and many solvents. It has excellent abrasion resistance. It can also be coloured. Its high stretch is due to the addition of a plasticiser.

VISCOMETER

An instrument for measuring the viscosity or resistance to flow. Refer IM.

VISCOSITY

Resistance to flow. It is related to the properties of tack and yield value; the flow rate. Refer IM.

VOID

An area of a coated film which does not have a coating. An adhesive skip; adhesive void.

VULCANISING

Cross linking an adhesive substance by the application of heat and catalysts.

W

WAND SCANNER – See LIGHT PEN

WARM COLOUR

A colour that appears to be on the reddish side.

WASHUP

The step in press make-ready of cleaning the ink rollers, plates and ink fountains of a printing press.

WASTE – See MATRIX

WATER SOLUBLE ADHESIVE

A pressure sensitive adhesive in which all components are water soluble. Refer LM.

WATERBORNE ADHESIVE

A dispersion of fine particles in another liquid. Many pressure sensitive adhesives are waterborne or emulsion adhesives. Refer LM.

WEATHERABILITY

Ability of a pressure sensitive label to withstand the effects of outdoor weathering, including time. Refer NS & LM.

WEATHEROMETER

A testing machine designed for evaluating the ability of a pressure sensitive label to withstand various simulated weather conditions. Refer NS & LM.

WEAVING

A poorly wound roll of labels (or other material) in which the individual layers of the labels are not in proper alignment with the other layers.

WEB

The paper, foil, film or other flexible material, from a roll, as it moves through the machine in the process of being formed or in the process of being converted or printed etc.

WEB DIRECTION – See MACHINE DIRECTION

WEB GUIDE

A device which keeps the web travelling straight and true through the press.

WEB PRESS

A press which prints from rolls (or webs) of materials such as pressure sensitive.

WEB TENSION

The amount of pull or tension applied in the direction of travel of a web of paper through a web press. Poor control of web tension will result in register problems, ‘growing’ paper, fan-folding difficulties and sheeting problems.

WET STRENGTH

The tensile strength of paper when it is wetted after manufacture.

WETTING

The relative ability of a liquid adhesive to display interfacial affinity for an adherend and to flow uniformly over the adherend surface.

WETTING AGENT

A preparation usually added to aqueous solutions to facilitate their spreading or increase their ability to evenly wet or penetrate a surface.

WHIP – See BOUNCE (Roller)

WHICKING

Tendency of a liquid to ‘travel’ through paper. Refers to absorption of moisture into paper through the raw edge.

WIRE SIDE

That side of a paper which has come into contact with the wire of the paper machine during the process of manufacture.

WRAP-AROUND LABEL

Label that extends completely around a bottle, can or other product, and as well as adhering to the product, it tips onto itself to completely seal (overlaps).

WRINKLES

Small creases or folds in a smooth surface.

X

XENERGY

Term used to describe a radiation curing process for silicone coatings.

XEROGRAPHY

A method of printing in which negatively charged ink powder is attracted to a positively charged metal plate or cylinder, from which it is transferred to the printing surface by electrostatic attraction.

XEROX

Trade name for machine that first employed the Xerography method of printing.

Y

YELLOWING

A change manifested by a gradual colour change in the original appearance of a pressure sensitive face material, characterised by the development of yellowish and brownish hues.

YIELD

Number of square meters of film or paper per kilo.

Glossary

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