Air Permeability

Also referred to as "porosity”. The ease with which pressurized air can flow through a sheet of paper. Typically measured by the Gurley or Sheffield porosity tests, which measure the volumetric flow of air through the paper thickness.

Air Pollution

The contamination of air around the plant due to the emission of gases, vapors, and particulate material in the atmosphere.

Airbrush

A compressed air tool that dispenses a fine midst of paint or ink; used in illustration and photo retouching.

Air-Dried Pulp

Pulp is described technically as air-dried when its moisture content is in equilibrium with the ambient atmosphere. Commercially, pulp is usually described as air-dried when the moisture content of the pulp is 10%.

Albion Press

A hand operated printing press made of iron.

Album Paper

A paper with an antique finish used for pages of photo albums.

Albumen Plate

Offset printing plate coated with light-sensitive albumen. It has a photosensitive coating.

Albumin Paper

A coated paper used in photography. The coating consists of albumin (egg whites) and ammonium chloride.

Algae

Micro-organic plant life that forms in paper mill water supplies.

Alkali Blue

Also called reflex blue. A pigment used in carbon black inks and varnishes to improve luster.

Alkali Proof

Paper that resists discoloration through contact with alkaline substances, such as soap. Glassine and waxed papers are used for such purposes.

Alkali Resistance

A tendency of paper not to be stained or discolored or to undergo a color change when brought in contact with alkaline products such as soap and adhesives.

Alkaline Paper

Paper manufactured under operating conditions with a pH greater than 7.0. Such papers have calcium carbonate as the filler and a synthetic material, compatible with the alkaline process, as a sizing agent. This process increases the longevity, bulk brightness, opacity, and printing characteristics of the paper without added cost.

Alkaline Papermaking

Paper manufactured under alkaline conditions, using additives, basic fillers like calcium carbonate and neutral size. The anti-aging properties in alkaline paper make it a choice for documents where permanence is required.

Alkaline Pulping

Pulping by alkaline solutions of sodium hydroxide, with or without sodium sulfide. Without sodium sulfide, it is called Soda process and with sodium sulfide, it is known as Kraft or Sulfate process.

Alkenyl Succinic Anhydride (ASA)

ASA is a sizing agent that increases paper's resistance to water penetration.

Alpha Pulp

A high alpha cellulose chemical pulp. It is also known as dissolving pulp.

Alternative Fiber

Alternative pulps to wood pulps used in papermaking.

Alum

A papermaking chemical used for precipitating rosin size onto pulp fibers to impart water-resistant properties to the paper. It is also known as paper maker’s alum or hydrated Aluminum Sulfate {Al2(SO4)3}.. It is responsible for introducing acid into the paper.

Aluminum Paper

Packaging paper made by mixing aluminum powder into the furnish or by coating or laminating the sheet with aluminum powder

Aluminum Foil Lamination

The combination of thin Aluminum foil with a paper backing used as a positive moisture barrier. Normal combination is Kraft backing with Aluminum foil laminated to the Kraft by means of asphalt, adhesive, or polyethylene.

Anaerobic Treatment

An effluent treatment system that uses microbes in the absence of oxygen to break down organic matter into methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide.

Aniline

Oil based solvent (quick drying) used in the preparation process of dyes and inks.

Animal Size

Glue and gelatin extracted from animal hides and used as a papermaking size.

Animal Sized

A technique of paper making which hardens the surface by passing the paper through a bath of animal glue or gelatin.

Announcements

Folded cards or envelopes that are generally used as stationery for social announcements.

Annual Renewable

Annually harvested crops such as hemp, esparto, bamboo, and cotton for use in papermaking.

Annual Vegetable Fiber Or Agricultural Residue Fiber

A source of fiber for pulp and papermaking such as wheat or rice straw or other fibrous by-products of agriculture.

Anti Rust Paper

Paper containing added substances, which give it the property of protecting the surfaces of ferrous metals against rusting.

Anti Tarnish Paper

Paper capable of protecting bright metallic surfaces against tarnishing.

Anti-Foam or Defoamer

Chemical additives used at wet-end to reduce or eliminate foam in white water.

Antiquarian

The largest available handmade paper (53 x 31 inches).

Antique Paper

A printing paper with a rough finish but good printing surface, used in book printing for its high volume characteristics. Antique papers having good bulk and opacity with rough or matte surface.

Antique Finish

A bulky paper with a rough surface used for book and cover stock.

Antique Glazed

A paper, which has a high finish on one side and an antique finish on the other.

Apparent Density

Weight per unit volume of a sheet of paper obtained by dividing the basis weight by the caliper (thickness). Typical values of apparent density range from 0.75 (in loosely formed or less dense papers) to 1.20 for highly bonded sheets.

Approach Flow System

The stock flow system from fan pump to headbox slice.

Apron

Sheet of oiled cloth, leather, or rubber, which bridges the gap between the breast box and the moving wire on a Fourdrinier machine.

Archival Paper

A paper with long-standing qualities, acid free, lignin and sulfur-free, usually with good color retention. Most commonly used for historic documents. The archival paper must be long lasting without causing deterioration to itself or other materials it may come into contact with.

Art-Lined Envelope

A colored or patterned envelope that is lined with an extra fine paper.

Art Paper

Paper, normally wood-free, suitable for 4-colour printing, evenly coated with a fine clay compound, which creates a hard smooth surface on one or both sides
 

Artificial Parchment

Woodfree paper produced by fine and extended grinding of chemical pulps and mixture of special additives. It is used for wrapping meat.

Artist's Paper

A high-grade paper for drawing, made with a close weave.

Ash

The mineral residue left after burning a sample of paper to determine the percentage of filler it contains.

Ash Content

Ratio of mass of residue after combustion to mass of sample (pulp/paper) before combustion

Auto chrome Paper

Coated papers that are regarded as exceptional for multi-colored printing jobs.

Azure

The light blue color used in the nomenclature of "laid" and "wove" papers.

Azure Laid Paper

A laid paper usually blue in color having a good writing surface.

Bleach

A chlorine solution used to whiten pulp in papermaking.

Bleach Plant

Area of a pulp mill where pulp is bleached.

Bleached Pulp

Pulp that has been bleached by means of chemical additives to make it suitable for white paper production.

Bleaching

Removal or reduction of color in pulp to improve its brightness.

Bleed

Ink that extends beyond the edges of a piece of paper is said to bleed off the sheet. In a printing project, usually a bleed will cost more to produce than a piece that does not bleed.

Blind Emboss

A design impression that is made without using inks or metal foils.

Blind Folio

A page that is counted in the overall counting of pages, but the number is not printed on the page.

Blind Image

A problem that arises in the lithography process when an image loses its ink receptivity and fails to print.

Blister

A defect on a paper surface often shaped like a human blister.

Blister Pack

This term describes a packaging system, which is a combination of board and plastics. The product is sealed to the board by a transparent plastics film. This system is often used for small products of difficult shapes and sizes.

Blistering

The process of separation of the paper’s coating from its surface, which appears in the form of eruptions. Usually caused by high drying temperatures, high paper moisture, or low internal bond strength.

Block

Illustrations or line art etched onto zinc or copper plates and used in letterpress printing.

Block Resistance

The resistance of coated papers to blocking. Refer Blocking.

Blocking

The adhesion of one coated sheet to another, causing paper tears or particles of the coating to shed away from the paper surface.

Blotting Board

A high absorbency paperboard.

Blotting Paper

Bulky, absorbent, filler-free paper, which is mostly produced from pure cotton in the form of bleached linters and from chemical pulp. The advent of the ball-point pen has greatly reduced its demand.

Blow-Through Drying Process

A system using dry steam or hot air that blows through the wire. The blow-through drying process enabled tissue products to be dried in much less time.

Blue Angel

A German eco-label. To achieve this, paper has to contain 100% post-consumer waste.

Board

The line of demarcation between paper and board is indeterminate. However, generally a thick, stiff paper or card usually made in several layers (or plies) with a substance normally varying from 150 to 500 g/m2, for certain grades even higher; widely used for packaging (e.g. folding cartons) and graphic applications.
 

Body Stock

Base stock, or coating raw stock for plain or decorated papers.

Bogus

Product made from wastepaper or other inferior materials in an imitation of higher-quality grades.

Bolts

The edges of folded sheets of paper, which are trimmed off in the final stages of production.

Bond Paper

A grade of durable writing, printing and typing paper made form bleached chemical wood pulps and cotton fibers. It is most commonly used for letterheads, stationery, business forms, etc.
 

Bond Strength

The strength of paper or board to withstand layer-to-layer separation. Paper with good bonding strength will not pick during the printing process.

Bone Dry (B.D.)

This term refers to the moisture-free conditions of pulp paper. It also refers to air containing no vapor.

Book Block

A term given the unfinished stage of bookmaking when the pages are folded, gathered, and stitched-in but not yet, cover bound.

Book Paper

Classification of paper that includes various grades and many finishes, among the grades being uncoated book paper and coated book paper used by printing establishments, publishers, etc. Made as wove or laid and can have finishes of antique, eggshell, machine, supercalendered, coated, dull, matte, or glossy.

Bottle Labeling Paper

A special body paper coated with an adhesive mixture. Must resist blocking under humid conditions.

Bound Galleys

The bound galley is used for promotional purposes and is frequently sent to book reviewers prior to printing the book.

Box Board

Paperboard used in the manufacture of boxes. May be made of wood pulp or wastepaper. May be plain, lined or clay coated.
 

Box Cover Paper

A wide variety of white, colored, coated, uncoated, flint glazed or embossed lightweight paper used expressly for covering paper boxes.

Box Enamel Paper

A glossy coated paper used to cover paper boxes.

Box Liners

A coated paper used on the inside of boxes, which are used for food.

Box Paper

Plain or coated papers usually colored and embossed.

Braille Paper

A smooth and high strength paper suitable for the production of raised dots needed to manufacture reading material for the blind.

Break

Total rupture of a web of paper during the manufacturing of printing process, which results in a tear from edge to edge.

Breaker

Reduces rags to smaller pieces for beating in a Hollander.

Breaking Length

A measurement of tensile strength of paper corrected for its basis weight. This represents the theoretical length of a uniform width of paper that, when suspended by one end, would break by its own weight.

Breast Roll

Roll number one over which a Fourdrinier wire passes.

Brightening

Addition of optical brighteners to the stock to make the pulp appear whiter

Brightness

Paper, paperboard, and pulp are measured through a lab test to determine the degree of reflectivity as measured by blue light to determine its brightness level. Paper brightness affects the legibility and contrast of printing. Printers, publishers, sellers refer to brightness which may be approximately by various photometers such as Photovolt, Elrepho, GE Brightness, Hunter Lab.
 

Bristol

A stiff, heavy paper with a caliper of 0.006” and more. Examples include bogus, folding, index, printing and wedding bristol, bristol covers, postcard and coated postcard.

Brittleness

A property of paper that causes it to break when subjected to binding, converting, finishing, folding, and handling. Factors, which contribute to brittleness are composition, moisture, drying and aging.

Broad Fold

A term given to the fold whereby paper is folded with the short side running with the grain.

Brocade

A type of heavily embossed paper.

Brochure

A pamphlet that is bound in booklet form.

Broke

Paper or board discarded during manufacture or converting of paper; usually repulped.

Broken Carton

A quantity of paper less than a full carton.

Broken Edges

Damaged edges of paper.

Broken Ream

Less than a full ream (500 sheets) of paper.

Bronzing

A printing method whereby special ink is applied to sheets and then a powder is applied producing a metallic effect.

Brownstock

The pulp obtained from the cooking process.

Brush Coated Paper

Paper that has been coated by off-machine brushes.

Brush Coating

A method of coating a web of paper in which the applied coating is distributed and smoothed by means of brushes.

Brush Finish

A high polish given to paper. It is obtained by running the dried or partially dried coated paper over a revolving drum provided with six or more rapidly revolving cylinder brushes, which contact the coated surface of the sheet.

Brush Glazing

Glazing of coated paper with the aid of brushes.

Brush Marks

Brush marks on the surface of brush coated paper due to improper application of the coating.

Buckle

An area of paper rolls where the paper is overly compressed and creates a buckle when it is wrapped.

Buckram

A coarse sized cloth used in the bookbinding process.

Buffering

The acid neutralization in paper by adding an alkaline substance (usually calcium carbonate or magnesium carbonate) into the paper pulp. The buffer acts as a protection from the acid in the paper or from pollution in the environment.

Bulk

A term used to define the number of pages per inch of a book relative to its basis weight. It is reciprocal of paper density. In the paper trade bulk is a more commonly used measure than density to indicating the "compactness" of paper. Also known as specific volume.

Bulk Product

A mass-produced product sold in large volumes without individual specifications, usually in compliance with a standard, e.g. Newsprint.

Bulking Board

Non-calendered board, lighter in weight per point of thickness.

Bulking Thickness

The thickness of a pack of sheets divided by the number of sheets in the pack.

Bulky Mechanical

A mechanical paper made to a specific caliper as opposed to a fixed grammage. This type of paper is used mainly for mass market paperback books.

Burnout

The loss of color during drying.

Burnt Paper

Paper, which is discolored and brittle, but otherwise, is intact.

Burst

An irregular separation or rupture through the paper or package

Burst Factor

The resistance of paper to rupture when pressure is applied to a side by a specified instrument.

Burst Index

The quotient of the bursting strength of a paper and its grammage in the conditioned state as defined in the standard method of test.

Burst Resistance

The resistance to bursting of a sheet of paper, paperboard of package when subject to impact or pressure normal to the surface.

Bursting Strength

The strength of paper in pounds per square inch, as measured by Mullen tester. This is also referred to as burst and pop strength.
 

Business Communications Paper

Paper for use in stationery, business forms, checks, copier papers, duplicating papers.

Business Form

Paper prepared to facilitate the entry of written information in a pre-determined format. Usually contains repetitive information to save preparation and reference time.

C

C1S

Coated on one side of the paper.

C2S

Coated on two sides of the paper.

Cable Paper

A strong paper used to wrap electrical cables.

Cadmium Yellow

A pigment made from cadmium sulfide and cadmium selenide.

Calcium Carbonate

A type of loading agent used in papermaking as filler or coating pigment to impart opacity to paper.

Calendar Board

A high-strength paperboard used for calendars and displays.

Calender Finished

Paper and paperboard that has been passed through a calendar to improve surface characteristics by application of pressure, friction, and moisture.

Calendar Rolls

A series of polished cast iron rolls at the end of a paper machine where the paper is passed between the rolls to increase its smoothness and gloss.

Calender

A on or off the paper machine device for smoothening, glazing, caliper reduction, and caliper leveling of the surface of the paper to improve the finish and reduce the printing roughness of the paper.

Calender Barring or Marks

Irregularly shaped bands across the paper web caused by damaged calender rolls.

Calender Blackening

Glazed translucent spots on paper surface caused by excessive calender roll heat, pressure, poor or excessive and uneven moisture level.

Calender Crushed

Paper that has been crushed in the calendering process.

Calender Dyed

Paper or paperboard that has been colored or stained at the calender stack.

Calender Finish

Finish imparted to paper by the calendering process.

Calender Marks

Marks left on the paper during the calendaring process. Calender blackening and barring are the two most common examples.

Calender Sizing

Sizing chemicals applied to paper sheet during the calendering process.

Calender Stack

A series of horizontal cast iron rolls at the end of a paper machine where the paper is passed between the rolls to increase its smoothness and gloss.

Calender Vellum Finish

Extra smooth vellum on paper surface imparted by calender rolls.

Calendered Paper

Paper that has been smoothed and polished between a set calender rolls. The effect produced by the calendering process is the result of friction combined with temperature and pressure.

Calendering

Operation carried out by means of calenders for improving the paper finish by increasing gloss and smoothness.

Caliper

The thickness of a sheet of paper, expressed as thousands of an inch (points or mils), or in microns. Uniform caliper is needed for good printing and for runnability in converting processes.

Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF)

The rate at which water drains from a pad of pulp, measured under standard test conditions.

Canvas Board

A paperboard (used for painting) with a surface of simulated canvas.

Capacity

In paper industry, the capacity of a machine or mill is usually stated in terms of tons per day or tons per year.

Capacity Utilization Rate

Indicates the efficiency (%) at which a mill or machine is operates.

Carbon Black

A pigment made up of elemental carbon and ash.

Carbon Paper

A grade of tissue paper coated with the mix of oils, dye (pigment), and wax. Paper coated with carbon, which release inks under pressure or impact for making duplicate copies with pen, typewriter, and business machines.

Carbonizing Paper

Lightweight, uncoated paper made from unbleached chemical and/or mechanical pulps. Its surface is coated with a carbon solvent or wax.

Carbonless Paper

Paper specially treated to provide copies without the use of interleaved carbon.
 

Card Stock

A heavy grammage paper also known as Cover. Used as covers of catalogs, brochures, books or business cards.

Cardboard

A thick, stiff paper produced by pasting multiple layers of paper together.

Carload

A quantity of paper shipped from a paper mill in one freight car.

Carton

A container usually of relatively thin carton or folding board manufactured by carton manufacturers. It is delivered to users in either flat or collapsed form.

Cartridge

A rough-finish paper used for wrapping.

Case

The stiff covers of a hardbound book.

Case Binding

Books bound using hard board (case) covers.

Casein

A byproduct of milk used as an adhesive in making coated papers.

Cases

Large corrugated boxes made of board, which are used as containers for packages. Cases are mainly used for transit and storage purposes.

Casing In

The process of placing a book in its case covers.

Cast Coated Paper

Coated paper that is pressure dried using a polished roller, which imparts enamel like gloss finish.

Cast Paper

Paper made by pouring pulp into a specially constructed mold.

Causticizing

Process in green liquor from sulphate (Kraft) pulping is converted to white liquor, thus allowing the cooking chemicals to be re-used.

Cellulose

The main constituent of the cell walls of all plants. All plants contain tissue that, when properly processed, will yield cellulose.

Cellulose Fibers

The fibrous raw material that results from breaking down the wood or plant materials through pulping or bleaching processes. It's the primary ingredient for making paper.

Cellulose Wadding

Soft crepe paper used in bundles or pads.

Chain Lines

Lines that appear on laid paper as a result of the wires (forming fabrics) of the papermaking machine. Also known as chain marks.

Chain Marks

Also called chain lines. Watermarks in paper that resemble impressions of a chain, running parallel to the grain of paper. These lines are normally found in laid papers.

Chalking

Chalking describes the quality of print on paper when the absorption of the paper is so great that it breaks up the ink image creating loose pigment dust.

Chart Paper

A smooth paper for chart and map printing, usually printed by offset litho.

Chemical Cellulose (Dissolving Pulp)

A highly-purified chemical pulp for conversion into chemical derivatives of cellulose and used mainly in the manufacture of viscose staple fiber, solvent spin fiber, and filament.

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

The amount of oxygen consumed in chemical oxidation of matter present in effluent. COD indicates the content of slowly degradable organic matter in the effluent.

Chemical Pulp

Pulp obtained by cooking wood chips in a chemical solution. Sulphite and sulphate (Kraft) are the two main processes.
 

Chemical Recovery

Collection, recovery, and regeneration of cooking chemicals so that they can be used again in the pulping process.

Chemi-Thermomechanical Pulp (CTMP)

Pulp produced by treating wood chips with chemicals (e.g. sodium sulphite) before mechanical defibration.

Chest

A storage tank for pulp, furnish, water, or other materials used in papermaking.

China Clay

A mineral (kaolin) used in papermaking as a filler and coating pigment. It consists of hydrated silicate of alumina.

Chip Board

An inexpensive and thick one-ply cardboard usually produced from waste paper. It is used for packaging purposes as well as a backing board for notepads etc.

Chipper-Canter

A machine used at sawmills to produce wood chips.

Chipping

A process in which horizontally or gravity-fed disc chippers convert the debarked logs into chips for pulping.

Chips

Wood chips produced by a chipper to produce pulp, fiberboard, and particleboard.

Chiri

A Japanese term for mulberry bark. Chiri is commonly used to refer to any paper with inclusions of mulberry bark in it.

Chlorine

Chlorine and its compounds are used in the pulp production process to create whiter, stronger paper. Pulp that is not bleached results in brown paper.

Chucks

Blocks inserted at the end of core to support a roll of paper on the roll stand.

CIE

Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage

CIE Color Value

A set of three color values (CIE or Hunter) used to designate color of paper, especially of white and near-white paper.

CIE Whiteness

Paper whiteness measured as per the CIE standards. It refers to measurements made under D65 illumination, which is a standard representation of outdoor daylight.

Cigar

A small-size cylindrical web defect of pulp or tissue pulling out of the web.

Cigarette Paper

A lightweight paper used in making cigarette. It is unsized and normally has a filler content of about 30%.

Coated Kraft Back Boards, CKB

Board consisting of either bleached chemical pulp or a mineral-coated top layer or both used for packaging food and non-food products.

Clamp Marks

Marks in sheets of paper caused by the clamps, which hold paper in position on a guillotine cutting machine.

Clarification

Separation of solid components from a solution.

Clarifier

A basin where sludge is removed from the treated effluent by settling process. There are two main types of clarifiers flotation and sedimentary.

Classifier

A classifier sorts and separates pulp fibers according to their length.

Clay

A mineral used as filler in papermaking and as a coating pigment.

Clay Coated Boxboard

A strong and easily-folded boxboard with clay coating used for making folding boxes.

Clear Cutting

A method of forest regeneration in which all trees in a given area are felled.

Clear-edge Carbon

Carbon paper with a narrow strip along the edges to provide a clean margin for gluing and handling.

Close Formation

Close formation refers to the uniform density in a sheet of paper.

Closed-Cycle Mill

A concept in which all liquid effluents from a pulp mill are recovered, practically eliminating water pollution by the mill.

Closure Mechanism

Methods of creating a box shape or sealing a box.

Cloth Finish

Surface finish produced by pressing the linen cloth against the paper during the manufacturing process.

Cloth-Lined Paper

Paper combined with cloth, on one or both sides.

Cloud Finish

An effect obtained when the white pulp is dropped on a web of colored paper.

Cloudy Formation

Cloudy formation is opposite of close formation and indicates unevenness and lack of uniformity of fiber structure in a sheet of paper.

Carboxymethylcellulose

A water-soluble cellulose polymer used as a thickening agent in foods and detergents.

Coarse Screen

Halftone screens used in newsprint.

Coat Weight

The grammage of a coating layer, expressed in g/m2.

Coated

Paper and paperboards that have been coated with materials such as clay or pigment and an adhesive.

Coated Fine Paper

Coated paper made from chemical pulp. Also referred to as coated free sheet.

Coated Offset

A paper coated on both sides with high resistance to picking. It's suitable for offset printing.

Coated Paper

Paper that has been coated with pigment and binder with a coat weight of 7.5 g/m2 or higher. Coated papers have a higher opacity and better ink holdout than uncoated papers.
 

Coated Seconds

Paper or paperboard inferior to desired quality, but still suitable for other usage. Coated seconds are usually sold at lower prices.

Coaters

Coaters are used to apply coatings to paper after the paper sheet has been formed and dried.

Coating Color Kitchen

Department in a paper mill where coating color is prepared and mixed.

Coating Lump

A piece of dried coating redeposited onto the web of paper.

Coating Mottle

Variation in gloss of a coated calender sheet. A good-coated sheet has relatively uniform gloss after calendering.

Coating Pick

The process of lifting or removal of coating particles from the base sheet during calendering or printing.

Coating Piling

Piling caused by loose particles separating from a coated sheet of paper.

Coating Pits

Coating pits refer to the microscopic holes in the coating air bubbles.

Coating Skip

Irregularly shaped areas on a sheet of paper where the coating layer is absent.

Coating Splash

Spots of excess coating on a coated sheet of paper.

Cockle

A rippling effect in paper caused by drying at a lower tension. It can be created as a desired effect or can be an unwanted result of improper drying.

Cockle (Crinkle)

Formation of ripples on a sheet of paper caused by uneven moisture or tension during the drying process.

Cold Pressed

Textured surface produced by pressing the paper through unheated rollers.

Cold Spot Carbonizing Ink

Material coated on the back of forms selectively. It's an ink, which can be applied cold to normal printing equipment.

Cold-Set Inks

Inks that are in solid state but melt in the hot press and solidify when they come in contact with paper.

Collate

To gather sheets or signatures together in their correct order.

Collected Household Paper

Waste paper collected from households.

Collotype Paper

A printing paper, which is durable enough to withstand excess moisture from the collotype printing process.

Color Fastness

Capacity of dyed paper to retain its original color or to resist fading under influence of heat and light.

Color Lump

Impressed mark on paper caused by a defect, which appears on calender rolls.

Color Match

Color quality when there is no significant difference in color hue between two samples when viewed under standard illumination.

Color Progression

The order in which different color inks are laid down on the paper.

Color Separation

Process of separating each of the three primary colors by optically filtering the image.

Color Strength

A term referring to the relative amount of pigmentation in an ink.

Colorimetry

Using Colorimeter, a given solid color may be quantified by analyzing physical color data.

Combination Board

Cylinder-made, multi-layered paperboard with layers from different pulps.

Combined Deinking

Deinking process combining flotation and washing processes.

Commercial Match

Manufacturing a paper to meet the specifications of a sample of paper provided to the manufacturer.

Commercial Register

Color registration measured within plus or minus one row of dots.

Commodity Papers

A generic term used to classify average quality paper grades (such as bond and offset) produced in high volume on big paper machines.

Communication Papers

A term used to describe paper grades (such as bond, writing and xerographic) used by printers and publishers in production of books, magazines, newspapers, etc.

Compressibility

Compressibility describes a paper's capacity to be squeezed (upon flat surfaces) and returned to its prior state. It is an important property of paper when stacks of paper are placed under compression. It is also known as Cushion.

Computer Output Paper

A grade of writing paper with strength and good printing surface. It's also known as "form bond”.

Conditioned Paper

Paper which has been treated in the mill by exposure to hot, moist air to increase the moisture content of the paper for achieving achieve an optimum flatness and stability.

Conditioning

Allowing paper adjust to the surrounding atmosphere until its moisture content is equal to atmospheric moisture content. This process provides for optimum performance on printing presses.

Coniferous

Trees, which are usually evergreen and classified as softwood, such as pines and firs.

Consistency

Dry solids content (%) of pulp present in a pulp slurry

Construction Paper

A grade paper manufactured in a wide range of colors. This high grammage paper is most often used in elementary schools for cutouts and other artwork.

Contact Print

A print made from contact of a sensitive surface to a negative or positive photograph.

Containerboard

Corrugated board used to make boxes and other containers for shipping materials.

Contaminant

Any material that reduces the quality of paper for recycling or makes it unrecyclable. Contaminants include metal, stickies, foil, glass, plastic, food, hazardous waste, and synthetic fabrics.

Continuous Cooking

A method in Kraft pulping in which raw material is continuously fed into a continuous digester at one end and the pulp and black liquor are removed from the other end of the digester.

Contraries

Contraries are unwanted pieces of materials present in a sheet of paper.

Conversion Coating

Off-machine coating is sometimes referred to as conversion coating.

Converter

A company that converts paper from its original form to usable products such as adding machine rolls, coated papers, and envelopes etc.

Converting

The converting process changes the big rolls of papers into useable paper products. Through rewinding, cutting, creping, embossing, printing, coating and other process, the sheet is transformed into napkins, facial tissue, packaging, etc.

Converting Paper

Paper converted from its original state into a new product such as adding machine rolls, coated papers, envelopes, notebooks etc.

Cooking

A process of treating raw material with chemicals under pressure and heat to produce pulp from which the paper is made.

Cooking Liquor

A chemical solution used to cook wood chips during the pulping process.

Copier/Laser Paper

A grade of low grammage, good quality, and dimensionally stable paper used in photocopying.

Copying Paper

Copying paper is an uncoated woodfree or a mechanical grade white or colored paper usually available in A4 and A3 size.

Cord

Volume measurement of pulpwood indicating a pile measuring 4 ft. x 4 ft. x 8 ft., equaling 128 ft.

Core

The tube, usually of paperboard, on which the paper is wound.

Core Cards

A record of specifications included by the manufacturer in each shipment of paper.

Core Damage (Core burn out)

Mechanical damage to the ends of a core, which has resulted from the core chucks tearing into the core ends.

Core Damage (Crushed Core)

A compressed core that is no longer round.

Core Plug

Thick disc placed inside a core to prevent core from being crushed during handling.

Core Slippage

Displacement of the core from its intended position relative to the rolled paper.

Core Waste

Core waste is the paper left on a roll after most of the paper has been used.

Coreboard

Board manufactured from recovered papers to produce paper cores.

Corewood

Wood located in the centre of the trunk and often darker in color than the surrounding wood

Corner Marks

Marks on a final printed sheet that indicates the trim lines or register.

Corner Stub

Used primarily on continuous forms to assist in manual carbon extraction when the form has been burst.

Correspondence Envelope

A flat case, rectangular in shape and made from one sheet of paper. The sheet is folded to provide a plain front and back consisting of four overlapping flaps.

Correspondence Papers

Refers to writing papers with attractive finish.

Corrugated Board

Corrugated board is manufactured by gluing two flat layers of paper (liner) with a rippled layer of corrugating medium (fluting) in the middle.

Corrugated Board – Double Wall

The structure formed by three flat facings and two intermediate corrugated medium.

Corrugated Board – Single Face

The structure formed by one corrugated member glued to one flat facing.

Corrugated Board – Single Wall

The structure formed by one corrugated inner member glued between two flat facings. It's also known as Double Face.

Corrugated Cardboard

Layers of paper glued together with a ruffled or grooved inner liner. This is the material, which makes corrugated cardboard boxes.

Corrugated Fiberboard

Consists of one or more sheets of fluted paper stuck to a flat sheet(s) of paper.

Corrugating Medium

Paperboard made from chemical and semi-chemical pulp, or waste paper, that is converted to a corrugated board by passing it through corrugating cylinders.

Corrugator (Corrugating Machine)

A machine that is fed the webs of corrugating medium and linerboard and flutes the medium and pastes the liner to make corrugated products.

Cotton

Cotton is the purest form of cellulose produced in nature and it requires the least amount of processing before it can be used. Cotton fibers are strong and flexible and suitable for producing fine papers.

Cotton Content Paper

Papers utilizing cotton fabrics and cotton linters as a raw material.

Cotton Linters

Short cotton fibers remaining on cotton seed after the ginning process. Cotton linters are used as raw material to produce pulp for papers.

Couch Marks

Defects or shadows appearing in a regular pattern on paper. Couch marks are caused by the irregular removal of water on the wet-end of the paper machine.

Couch Roll

A vacuum roll under the forming fabric. Holes in the couch roll suck out water from the stock and a felt usually picks the wet sheet off the fabric.

Coucher

A person who transfers the newly-formed sheets of paper from hand moulds to felt blankets.

Cover Paper

A term applied to a grade of paper used for covers of brochures and catalogues etc.

Crack

A fissure in the paper caused by break in the coating surface during the converting processes such as printing.

Crackle

The noise produced from a sheet of paper when it is shaken.

Crash Finish

Paper embossed at the mill to resemble coarse linen.

Crash Perforation

Perforation cut through plies of a collated set of business forms. It's normally done on a collator.

Crayon Paper

Paper used for crayons or watercolor. Crayon paper is a heavy board with a glazed surface on one side and rough finish on the other.

Crease

An impression or crease in corrugated or solid fiberboard is used to locate and facilitate folding.

Crepe Paper

A high elasticity paper produced by crowding the web sheet over a roll with a doctor blade.

Crimping

Creasing the bindery edges of ledger sheets to help them open more freely.

Crocking

Rubbing off the dye from the surface of a paper.

Cropping

Trimming original photographs to smaller size.

Cross

A T-shaped wooden tool used to remove paper from ropes in a drying loft.

Cross Direction (CD)

Direction at right angle to the flow on a paper machine. It's also known as the direction across the grain. Paper is weaker and more sensitive to changes in relative humidity in the cross direction than the grain or machine direction.

Cross Grain Fold

A fold at a right angle to the direction of the grain (or the machine direction) in the paper.

Cross Perforations

In continuous forms, perforations cutting at right angles to the web direction.

Crushed Roll

Defective roll as a result of stacking rolls on end in an excessively high pile, which causes the lower ends of the lower rolls to fail in the axial direction.

Crystallography

This is a science of analyzing crystalline structure of materials. In the paper industry, it usually refers to the study of cellulose. A high crystalline structure means less swelling of the fibers.

CTMP

Chemi-Thermo Mechanical Pulping is a pressurized refining process, which is preceded by the addition of sulphite. Bleached CTMP pulp is known as BCTMP.

Cupstock

Plastic-coated board for paper cup production, suitable for cold or hot beverages.

Curl

Deformation of a sheet of paper into the form of a cylinder. It is usually caused by nonuniform distribution of strains and stresses throughout the paper sheet as a result of uneven internal moisture and conditioning.

Cut

Rupture of sheet in a defined region, not extending to tear the sheet into two pieces.

Cut-Off

A term used in web press printing to describe the point at which a sheet of paper is cut from the roll.

Cut-Size

Fine paper cut to specific end-use dimensions on a guillotine or rotary type paper trimmer. Usually it refers to business or writing papers that have been cut to dimensions of 8-1/2 x 11 and 8-1/2 x 14 or 11 x 17 inches.

Cutter

A machine (a cross cutter or square cutter) that cuts rolls of paper into sheets for further trimming to finished basic size.

Cutter Broke

Waste and trimmed paper edges from the cutting operation. This broke is reused as pulp for manufacturing paper.

Cutter Dust

Cutter dust to small particles of fiber and paper dust that result from the cutting operation. The dust adheres to the edges of paper and can work itself into the pile of paper and onto the paper surface to cause trouble during its printing.

Cut-to-register

A term used for watermark papers to indicate that the paper has been cut to allow the watermark to appear in a predetermined position on the finished sheet.

Cyan

One of the subtractive primary colors, the hue of which is used for cyan process ink, one of the four-color process inks. Cyan reflects blue and green light and absorbs red light.

Cylinder

A term usually applied to different types of rolls or drums on a paper machine such as dryers.

Cylinder Board

Paperboard made on a cylinder machine.

Cylinder Dried

Describes the paper, which is dried by passing it against the heated iron rolls.

Cylinder Gap

The gap in the cylinders of a press where the grippers or blanket clamps is housed. In printing, space between the ends of a plate wrapped around the press cylinders.

Cylinder Machine

The type of paper machine that makes paper by partially immersing rotating cylinders in vats of pulp stock. Paper is formed as the cylinder turns and water drains from it.

Cylindrical Casting

Stereotyped cast into a curved mat to produce a casting suitable for use on a rotary press.

CYMK

Colors used in printing to reproduce color photos. The colors are Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (or Key Color).

D

Dahlgren

A dampening system for printing presses, which utilizes more alcohol (25%), and less water and reduces the amount of paper that is spoiled.

Damask Paper

Writing paper with a finish resembling linen.

Damp Streaks

Streaks caused by uneven pressing or drying.

Dampeners

In lithography, cloth-covered parchment paper or rubber rollers that distribute the dampening to the press plate.

Dampening

An essential part of the printing process in which a cloth covered rubber rollers distributes the dampening solution to the plate.

Damping Roller

The roller on a printing machine, which applies the moisture directly to the printing plate.

Dancer Rolls

A weighted roller that rides on the web between the roll of paper and the meeting unit to take up slack and keep the web at uniform tension. It is also know as rider roller.

Dandy Roll

Dandy roll is a cylinder covered with a woven wire cloth and mounted on a paper machine. It is used to improve formation and to apply watermarks.

Daphne

A plant known as the 'Nepal paper plant' used as a source of fiber for papermaking.

Debarking

A process in which most or all of the bark is removed from the logs before feeding the logs into the chipper, or into the grinder.

Debarking Drum

Large rotating cylinder in which pulpwood logs are tumbled against one another to remove the bark.

Debossing

A process in which an image is recessed into the paper.

Decalcomania Paper

A transfer paper designed to permit transfer of printed surface to objects such as china, glass, etc. Also known as a decal.

Deciduous

Tree species that annually sheds its leaves during the Fall season. Hardwoods such as maple, chestnut, birch, and poplar are the examples of deciduous trees.

Deckle

1) A wooden frame that defines the edges of the sheet in handmade papermaking. 2) A strap or board on the wet-end of a paper machine that determines the width of the paper web.

Deckle Edge

The rough or feathered edge of paper. Fuzzy edges of handmade papers are simulated in mould-made and machine-made papers by a jet of water. Handmade papers have four deckle edges, while mould-made and machine-made papers have two.

Deckle Fill

Also known as machine fill. The maximum width of paper machine taken up for making paper. For economic reasons, it should approach as far as possible — to the maximum trimmed width of the machine.

Deckle Frame

A wooden frame that rests on the top of a mold during the papermaking process. It acts as a barrier to keep the pulp with in the mold.

Deckle Slip

Strip of wood fixed to the underside of the deckle to stop the pulp from creeping.

Deckle Stain

Paper that is colored or tinted along the deckle edge.

Defects

Irregularities in finished paper that reduce the appearance or cause weaknesses in the sheet.

Defibration

Separation of wood fibers by mechanical or chemical means.

Defoamer

A defoamer is a chemical added to a liquid to reduce or eliminate the foaming tendency of the liquid.

Defoliation

Premature loss of leaves due to airborne pollution or other factors interfering with vital processes in trees.

Deinkability

The suitability of recovered paper for deinking process.

De-Inked Paper Stock

Recycled paper from which the ink has been removed by chemical and mechanical means to produce clean fibers.

De-Inked Pulp

A waste paper pulp prepared by a combination of mechanical disintegration and chemical treatment to remove ink from recycled paper.

Deinking

A process in which most of the ink, filler, and contaminants are removed from recovered paper.

Deinking Loss

Loss of useful material from the pulp during the deinking process. The loss could range between 10-40%.

Delamination

Parting of layers of a sheet of paper through the plane of the sheet.

Delignification

Removal of lignin from wood fibers (cellulose and hemi-cellulose). Lignin binds wood fibers together. Delignification primarily takes place during the pulping process.

Demy

A term for a standard sized printing paper measuring 17.5 x 22.5 in.

Densimeter

Equipment used to analyze the porosity of paper.

Densitometer

A photoelectric instrument used to measure the density of colored ink or print density.

Density

Density or specific gravity of paper is it weight per unit volume, obtained by dividing the basis weight by caliper. Paper density (in g/cm2) expresses how compact the paper is.

Deposit

Mass of airborne pollutants deposited on a unit area of land or water in a given time (in grams per square meter per year).

Deresination

A method of reducing the resin (pitch) content of wood prior to cooking either by storage or using bleaching chemicals.

Descender

A term that describes that portion of lower case letters which extends below the main body of the letter, as in "p".

Desensitize

Coating surface of a carbonless paper with desensitizing ink to inhibit image transfer.

Devil

Machine for removing dust and dirt from rags or esparto grass (also known as a willow).

Diazo

A light-sensitive coal tar product used as a coating on presensitized plates as well as overlay proofs.

Die

An engraved stamp used for impressing an image or design.

Die Cuttability

Suitability of paper or paperboard for die cutting into blanks of a given shape.

Die Cutting

A method of using sharp steel ruled stamps or rollers to cut various shapes i.e. labels, boxes, image shapes. Male and female dies are used to cut paper or board in desired shapes.

Die Stamping

An intaglio process for printing from images engraved into copper or steel plates.

Die Wiping Paper

A type of paper used to clean surface of printing plates in the intaglio process.

Die-Cut

A cut made with a special punching blade instead of with a conventional rotary knife.

Die-Cut Paper

Paper cut with a special punching blade rather than a conventional rotary blade.

Dielectric Papers

A type of paper, which is free of any metallic elements that might conduct electricity.

Dielectric Strength

The degree to which paper resists penetration of an electric charge.

Digest

A common size in publication (about 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" in size).

Digester

A cylindrical pressure vessel used to treat wood chips with chemicals under elevated pressure and temperature to produce pulp for papermaking. Digesters can be stationary or revolving, horizontal or upright, cylindrical or spherical.

Digester House

A section in a pulp mill, which houses digesters.

Digital Printing

A printing process that allows printing directly from electronic images without the need for film or color separations.

Digital Printing Machine

Printing machine that prints direct from a computer data file onto paper, using the same image transfer techniques as are used in copiers and printers.

Digital Printing Paper

Paper or board specially designed to be used in digital printing machines.

Digital Proof

Color separation data is digitally stored and then exposed to color photographic paper creating a picture of the final product before it is actually printed.

Dimensional Stability

The degree to which a paper will maintain its size and shape when subjected to changes in moisture content and relative humidity.

Din 6738

An international standard that guarantees the paper for permanence with a life expectancy of at least 100 years.

Dioxin

A carcinogenic contaminant generated when chlorine is used in bleaching wood pulp.

DIP

Deinked Pulp – a pulp produced from deinked wastepaper.

Diploma

A fine paper made specifically for the printing of diplomas, certificates, and documents. Its main properties are durability and permanence.

Diploma Parchment

Paper made from cotton fibers. It resembles animal parchment and is surface sized with high quality animal glue.

Direct Cooking

Pulping process in which heating is achieved by blowing steam into the cooking liquor.

Directory Papers

A lightweight and uncoated groundwood paper used for printing telephone directories and catalogues.

Dirt

Foreign material, which has a color in contrast to that of the paper. An instrument, The Papric Counter, is used in laboratories to identify dirt specks.

Disc Refiner

A machine, which uses rotating discs or plates for refining pulp during the stock preparation process.

Dished

A pile or stack of paper lying concave rather than flat.

Disperging

Disperging is used in the treatment of recycled fibers. It reduces impurities in recycled paper to such a small size that they are no longer detrimental to paper quality.

Dispersion

The separation of a substance into the smallest possible particles using another substance (the medium). Used in papermaking to homogenize pulp properties and remove impurities.

Display Board

Paperboard used for display advertising.

Display Type

Any type that stands out from the rest of the type on a page, which attracts attention of the reader.

Dissolving Pulp

A high-purity chemical pulp of special quality. It has a high alpha-cellulose content (usually 90% or more). Dissolving pulp is used for producing acetate and viscose fibers.

Distribution Rollers

In the printing process, the rubber coated rollers responsible for the distribution of ink from the fountain to the ink drum.

Distributor

A company, which purchases paper from a paper mill for resale to end-users.

Doctor

A blade-like device, which scrapes off excess liquid or fibers off a roller to help maintain a smooth surface.

Doctor Blade

1. In papermaking, a device that cleans the surface of paper machine rolls.2. A term in gravure printing which refers to the knife-edge that runs along the printing cylinder. Its function is to wipe the excess ink away from the non-printing areas.

Document Paper

Document paper has a high ageing resistance. It is usually made from chemical pulp and may also contain rags.

Dog Ear

A small fold that occurs on the corner of the paper during the papermaking or converting process.

Dot Gain

A printing problem where dots print larger than desired, creating darker tones, or color imbalances.

Dot Matrix Printing

Impact printing where each character is made up of a pattern of dots synchronized by computer control. During printing the print head strikes against a ribbon to print on the paper surface.

Dots Per Inch (DPI)

A reference for the resolution of a printed or screened image. Higher numbers mean higher resolution or more dots composing an image.

Double Calendered

A type of paper passed through two calenders.

Double Cap

Trade term for size 17" x 28" available in business papers.

Double Coated

A sheet that has been coated twice on the same side. Not to be confused with a paper sheet coated on both sides.

Double Deckle

Machine-made papers having a deckle edge on two edges of the sheet.

Double Fold

Resistance of paper to repeated folding/unfolding. Folding endurance is important for currency, blue print, record papers, ledger, map etc where resistance against repeated folding/unfolding is required.

Double Imprint Unit

Two sets of printing cylinders that permit imprint to be altered as press continues to run at full speed.

Double Sizing

The process of applying size a second time after first sizing has been dried.

Double Wall Corrugated Board

A type of corrugated board, which has two layers of fluting and three facings.

Doubling

The unintentional printing of two images slightly out of register.

Downtime

When a paper machine is stopped for repairs, it is referred as 'down'. Downtime can occur due to mechanical failure, change of grades in production etc.

Drain

Volume of wood removed from the forest in a given time.

Drainage

Removal of water at the paper machine wet-end while the paper sheet is consolidating.

Drainage Foils

Drainage foils are tapered foils placed under the wire at a slight angle so that when the wire runs over them at high speeds, suction is created and the water from the wet stock is separated efficiently.

Draw-Down

A method used by ink makers to determine the color, quality, and tone of ink. The method involves an application of a thin film of ink using a spatula or blade to measure the ink's color shade and characteristics.

Drawing Paper

A good quality, dull-finished paper strong enough to take erasures. They have a low opacity and wash-fast.

Drier

A term that describes additives to ink which speed up the drying process.

Drill

The actual drilling of holes into paper for ring or comb binding.

Drop Out

In printing, halftone with no screen dots in the highlights or background.

Drumhead Manila

A type of rope papers. Usually available in 24" x 36" size.

Dry Coating

A coating method in which a binder is applied to the paper surface followed by dry coating pigment.

Dry Creping

Creping of a paper web when it's dry.

Dry Cylinder Machine

In a dry cylinder machine, pulp is poured onto the surface of the cylinder and the water drains away through the cover on the cylinder.

Dry Finish

Paper and paperboard get a dry finish when calendered without the use of water.

Dry Offset

A method of printing from a relief plate without the use of any fountain solution.

Dry Solids

Dry solids is defined as the mass of dried sample as a percentage of the mass of original sample.

Dry Strength

Mechanical strength of a dry sheet of paper indicated by its mechanical properties such as tensile strength, tearing resistance, and folding endurance.

Dry-end

The part of a paper making machine where the paper passes through steam-heated drying cylinders. The dry end can also consist of calenders, cutters, slitter, and reels.

Dryers

A series of large cylindrical steam-heated rolls that dry the paper web.

Drying Loft

A large airy room in which sheets of handmade paper are hung or laid to dry.

Dual Distributor, Dual House, or Dual Merchant

A paper distribution firm, which deals in fine and industrial papers.

Ductor Roller

The roller between the inking and the dampening rollers.

Dull Coated

Paper is said to be dull coated when it registers a gloss test reading of less than 55%. Characteristically, dull coated or finished paper has a smooth surface and is low in gloss. Dull coated paper is also known as dull finish paper.

Dull Finish

Paper is said to be dull coated or matte finish when it registers a gloss test reading of less than 55%. Dull coated papers have a smooth surface a low gloss. Dull coated paper is also known as dull finish paper.

Dummy

A page or a set of pages assembled in the exact position, form and style desired for the finished piece of printed work. Used as a model or sample for the printer.

Dunnage

Load securement.  Loose packing material used to protect a cargo from damage during transport.  Transit protection products.

Duotone

A two-color halftone reproduction generated from a one-color photo.

Duplex Board

Duplex board used for packaging purposes consists of two layers, mostly made from waste paper pulp.

Duplex Coating

The process of coating both sides of a paper sheet at the same time.

Duplex Cutting

The process of converting a web of paper into sheets on a cutting machine so that two different lengths of sheet can be cut at the same time.

Duplex Paper

Paper which has a different color or finish on each side.

Duplex Paper/Board

Paper or paperboard consisting of two layers of different furnishes composition.

Duplexed

When paper is printed on both sides of the sheet.

Duplicating Stencil Paper

A thin, strong, lightweight paper made from long-fibred stock, suitably impregnated or coated such as with oil. This paper is used for preparation of Stencil.

Duplicator

A machine for making copies with the aid of a specially prepared duplicating master.

Durability

The degree to which paper retains its original qualities.

Dust

Small particles of paper, fibers, or coating materials may arise at calendering, slitting, and sheet trimming.

Dutch

Any deckle edged paper, originally produced in the Netherlands.

Dye Based Ink

Any ink that acquires its color by the use of aniline pigments or dyes.

E

ECF

Elemental Chlorine Free – papermaking pulp bleached without the use of elemental chlorine. ECF bleaching process uses chlorine dioxide in combination with oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium hydroxide.

ECF Paper

Paper made with ECF wood pulps.

Eco-Label

A label granted to products that pollute the environment less than similar products used for the same purpose.

Edge Chains

Extra chain lines running on the outer edge of short sides of the mould for extra strength.

Edge Crush Test

A test to evaluate the compression strength of containerboard used to manufacture corrugated shipping boxes.

Edge Protectors

A heavy board used to protect the ends of rolls during shipment and storing.

EF

English Finish – A finish between machine-finished and supercalendered papers.

Effluent

The liquid waste of industrial processing. Effluents of the papermaking process usually include a small amount of suspend solids and dissolved chemicals.

Effluent Treatment

Effluent treatment usually consists of two processes: 1) Primary treatment process removes suspended solids from effluent. 2) Secondary treatment process reduces the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and toxicity of effluent.

Eggshell Finish

A relatively rough finish of paper surface that resembles an eggshell achieved by bypassing the calendering process. A special felt is used to mark the surface before the paper is dried.

Elastic Strength

The ability of paper or paperboard to resist stress acting in the plane of the sample.

Electronic Proof

A process of generating a prepress proof in which paper is electronically exposed to the color separation negatives. The paper is passed through the electrically charged pigmented toners resulting in the finished proof.

Electrostatic Copy Paper

A smooth-finished and medium-weight bond paper made from chemical pulps. This paper is generally treated with a zinc-oxide coating material.

Electrostatic Precipitator

Equipment used to clean up flue and process gases. Removes 99.5-99.8% of dust particles emitted from recovery boilers, lime kilns and bark-fired boilers

Elliptical Dot

Halftone screens in which the dots are actually elongated to produce improved middle tones.

Elmendorf Tear Test

A test to determine a paper’s resistance to tearing.

Embossed Finish

Paper with a raised or depressed surface resembling cloth, leather, wood, or other patterns.

Embossing

A method of paper finishing whereby a pattern is pressed into the paper. Produced on a special embossing machine after the paper has dried to create finishes such as linen.

Emission

Discharge of polluting substances to air, land, or water.

Emulsification

The mixing of two distinct solutions that do not mix such as a fountain solution, which is water-based and ink which is oil based.

Emulsion Coating

Coating of paper with an emulsion containing plastic or resin.

Enamel

A term that describes a glossy coating on paper. Also, a general term for clay coating on papers.

End-Leaf Paper

A strong and fine quality paper used for binding a book's contents to its cover. It can be either plain or coated and sometimes colored or marbled,

Endsheet

Attaching the final sheet of a signature of a book to the binding.

Engine Sizing

Addition of chemicals to papermaking stock to impart water resistance to paper. It is sometimes known as internal sizing.

English Opacity Book

Paper used in books and catalogs when a lightweight paper of high opacity is required. Usually made from chemical wood pulp and fillers, it ensures maximum opacity.

Engraving

Printing by the intaglio process. Ink is applied to the paper under extreme pressure resulting in a printing surface being raised. Uses include fine letterheads and wedding invitations.

Envelope Lining Paper

Tissue paper that decorates and lines envelopes of fine stationery papers.

Envelope Paper

Envelop papers are opaque, writable, and printable and must have a high folding strength. Envelope paper can be made from chemical or mechanical pulps. They can be machine glazed or calendered, white or colored.

Enzyme Bleaching

A bleaching technique in which cooked and oxygen-delignified chemical pulp is treated with enzymes prior to final bleaching. Enzyme bleaching allows pulp to be bleached without chlorine chemicals.

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency.

Equilibrium Moisture Content

The moisture content of paper that has reached a balance with the surrounding atmosphere. Under the equilibrium condition, paper can neither absorb nor release moisture.

Equivalent Weights

A system of comparing papers of different sizes and basis weights. It uses a mathematical equation to compare paper weights with different sizes and basis weights.

Erasability

A quality of paper that assures a clean erasure. Erasability is achieved by excessive pulp refining resulting in firmly bonded fibers and a hard surface.

Esparto

A North African grass, which makes a soft, ink receptive paper sheet. It is also found in Spain.

Etch

The process of producing an image on a plate by the use of acid.

Evaporation Plant

Unit used at pulp mills to concentrate spent liquor to make it suitable for burning and subsequent chemicals recovery.

Expansivity

The degree to which paper changes its dimensions for a given change in relative humidity.

Exposure

That stage of the photographic process where the image is produced on the light sensitive coating.

Extended Cooking

Method of cooking pulp to a low lignin-content. Extended cooking reduces the bleaching chemicals demand.

Extender

A white pigment added to a colored pigment to reduce its intensity and improve its working qualities.

Extrusion

A method of laminating paper and paperboard.

Extrusion Coating

A method of coating a web of paper with resins, plastics, or similar hot-melt compounds.

F

F&G

A term in the binding process referring to folding and gathering.

Fabric Press

Fabric press uses absorbent felt to absorb moisture from the sheet in combination with nips that squeeze the water out. The felt must be squeezed dry again before it picks up a new section of sheet.

Facsimile Master

Material consisting of solid or fluid carbon combined with master paper for heat or transfer posting machines.

Fan Fold

Paper folding that looks like an accordion or fan, the folds being alternating and parallel.

Fanning

Momentary separation of the press sheets by hand riffling so that fresh air is allowed to sweep over the surface of each sheet.

Fast Color

Color that is not affected by light, acids, alkalis or other external stimulus.

FBB

Folding Boxboard – a multi-layer coated board with an outer layer of Kraft pulp and the middle layer of mechanical pulp. It is used primarily for consumer cartons for packaging of dry and moist foods, cigarettes and other consumer products. Also used in the graphic industry for catalogue covers, postcards and folders, etc.

Feather Edge

Edging similar to a deckle edge, a thin rough edge on carbon paper.

Feathering

The tendency of ink to spread along the paper fibers so that the image produced does not have sharp, clean edges.

Featherweight

A term indicating extreme lightness in proportion to bulk. Also used to identify lightweight book papers and thin opaque writing papers; airmail papers.

Featherweight Book Paper

Paper for novels, where good bulk is required for a precise number of pages.

Feed Rollers

Rubber wheels that hold the sheet of paper in position and move it from the feed pile to the grippers.

Feeder

The section of a press, which separates the sheets and feeds them into position for printing.

Feel

A term expressing an individual's impression of a paper's finish.

Felt

A woven and endless conveyor belt that receives papers from the Fourdrinier wire and delivers it to the drier. It is traditionally made of wool but frequently of a combination of two or more of the fibers like wool, cotton, and synthetic fibers.

Felt and Wire Sides

Refers to the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of paper made on conventional Fourdrinier paper machines.

Felt Finish

Surface characteristics of paper achieved by using woven wool or synthetic felts with distinctive patterns to create a similar texture in the finish sheets.

Felt Mark

A mark or pattern on paper or paperboard produced by press or drier felt. The mark may be wanted or unwanted and special effects can be introduced in this way.

Felt Side

The top side of the paper, usually recommended for best printing results. The top side of felt is preferred for printing because it contains more filler.

Felts

A material woven from either cotton or wool with a raised surface, which supports the wet sheet of paper during pressing.

Fermentation

An old method of preparing rags for the beater. In this method, piles of wet rags were allowed to heat up and rot before they were used for papermaking.

Festoon Drying

Drying of paper by festooning it on poles.

Fiber

The slender, thread-like cellulose structures that form a sheet of paper. Fibers used in papermaking come primarily from wood and recovered paper. Cotton is also used to make certain products.

Fiber Loss

Unwanted loss of fibers in pulp and paper processing.

Fiber Orientation

Refers to the alignment of fibers in a paper sheet.

Fiberboard

A type of board made from defibrated wood chips on wet-lap forming machine. Fiberboard is used as a building board.

Fiberline

The machines and process systems involved in converting wood chips into pulp. A typical fiberline steps can include cooking, washing, screening, knot separation, refining, and bleaching.

Fibrillation

A structural change occurring in the walls of chemical pulp fibers during beating. Fibrillation refers to loosening the fibrillae during the mechanical process of beating the fibers in preparation for papermaking.

Fill

The maximum width of paper that can be made on a given paper machine.

Filled Bristol

A board made on a cylinder machine. The middle layer of filled bristols is of different fiber than the outside layers.

Filler

Non-oxidizing clays or minerals added to the pulp to improve paper properties such as opacity and smoothness. Addition of fillers reduces the cost too as fillers are less expensive than fibers.

Filler Content

Ratio of material originating from filler and coating chemicals to original mass of pulp.

Filling

The practice of adding minerals to the pulp furnish in the beater that increases printability and other desirable characteristics of the paper. Also known as loading.

Filling In

A fault in printing where the ink fills in the fine line or halftone dot areas.

Film

Used to make the printing plates with. Output from an image setter or taken with a camera.

Film Coat

Any thinly coated paper stock. Also known as wash coat.

Film Coating

A light film pigmented coating is applied to the paper at the size press of the paper machine to improve the smoothness of uncoated book grades.

Filter Paper

Unsized paper made from chemical pulp. Filtration rate and selectivity are the important requirements for a good performance of filter papers.

Fine Merchant, Fine Paper Distributor

A paper distribution company sells and distributions fine printing papers only.

Fine Paper

Paper usually produced from bleached chemical pulp for printing and writing purposes. Fine papers usually contain less than 10% mechanical pulp.

Fines

Small fragments of fibers produced generally produced during the refining process.

Finish

Finish refers to the surface characteristics of paper. A high finish refers to a smooth surface. A low finish refers to a relatively rough and toothy surface.

Finishing

Processes that occur after the papermaking operations and prior to the shipment of paper from the mill. These processes include supercalendering, slitting, rewinding, trimming, sorting, etc.,

Finishing Broke

Discarded paper resulting from finishing operation such as trimming etc.

Fish Eye

Round, transparent spots on the surface of coated paper or paperboard.

Flag

A paper strip protruding from a roll or skid of paper. May be used to mark a splice in a roll of paper.

Flame Resistant Paper

Flame resistant papers are non-flammable and to a certain extent incombustible too.

Flaps

The closing members of a fiberboard box.

Flat

The assemblage of negatives and positives, which are used as a composite image to create the printing plate.

Flat Form

A completed box, which has not been erected. This is a conventional method of delivering boxes to end users.

Flats

Paper delivered by a paper mill in flat sheets, usually larger than 17" x 22" in size.

Flexographic Printing

A printing process using a rubber or plastic plate with a raised image area. The plate is mounted to a rotary cylinder. When the cylinder is inked, it prints the image onto paper through light pressure.

Flexography

Letterpress printing using relief plates on direct presses. This process of printing uses rubber plates and special aniline inks.

Flint Paper

A high-glaze and brightly-colored paper coated on one side.

Floating Load

Paper loaded into a freight car in a manner that allows it the freedom to shift slightly without getting damaged in transit.

Flocculation

Refers to formation of flocks or fiber bundles.

Flocked Paper

Decorative paper with a velvet-like smooth and unglazed surface.

Flong

Absorbent paperboard, which when impressed and dried becomes a matrix for preparing stereotypes.

Flooding

In printing, when the ink flows onto a printing plate because the ink fountain has been set improperly.

Flotation Deinking

Deinking process for recycled papers in which air is blown into a fiber suspension. Ink particles adhere to the air bubbles and rise to the surface, where they are removed.

Flow

In reference to printing ink, the ability of an ink to spread over the press rollers.

Flue Gas Scrubber

An equipment for removing impurities from flue gases by dissolving them in aqueous solution.

Fluff

Fluff consists mainly of individual fibers, particles of fillers, particles of sizing agents.

Fluff Pulp

Kraft or CTMP pulp with a cotton-like appearance. It is used for absorbent materials such as nappies and feminine hygiene products.

Fluid Ink

Ink with a low viscosity. Also called liquid ink.

Fluorescence

A property of fluorescent dyes, which enhances paper's brightness in normal lighting.

Fluorescent Dye

A dyestuff, which improves the brightness of paper. Also known as Optical Bleaching Agent (OBA).

Fluorescent Paper

Paper with a high reflectance, resulting from colored, light-emitting dyes that reflect white light.

Flush Cover

A bound book or booklet having the cover trimmed to the same size as the text.

Fluting

The rippled middle layer in corrugated board, produced generally from recycled fiber.

Flying Pastor

A device used to splice rolls of paper during the converting or printing process without having to stop the equipment.

Foam Spots

Small spots on the finished paper that are a result of foaming during the formation or coating process.

Fodder Pulp

Protein produced from pulp mill spent liquors and sometimes used as animal feeds.

Foil Paper

Paper coated with either aluminum or bronze powder finish, or leaf finish.

Foils

Tapered strips of plastic fitted under the moving wire of a Fourdrinier machine to scrape off excess water for a quicker drainage of water.

Fold

A term used to describe how sheets are folded; single fold, double fold, centerfold, and gatefold.

Fold Marks

A short line printed on business forms indicating where they may be folded.

Folder

A device at delivery end of a press or collator to fold continuous forms.

Folding Boxboard

A multi-layer coated board with an outer layer of Kraft pulp and the middle layer of mechanical pulp. It is used primarily for consumer cartons for packaging of dry and moist foods, cigarettes and other consumer products. Also used in the graphic industry for catalogue covers, postcards and folders, etc.

Folding Bristol

Bristol board with good folding ability and printability.

Folding Endurance

A test used to measure the number of times a strip of paper or board can be bent, creased, and folded before rupture. Folding strength is important in many printing applications such as books, maps, pamphlets, and manuals.

Folio

A ream or sheet in its full size. When used in connection with books, means the sheet has been folded once, producing four pages.

Form Rollers

The rollers that come into direct contact with the plate of a printing press.

Formation

The uniformity of the distribution of fibers in a sheet of paper, which influences the appearance, strength, and mottle of the paper. Formation is judged by transmitting light through the sheet and looking at its structure and degree of uniformity. Paper with good formation prints with less mottling and has more uniform opacity.

Fountain Solution (Dampening Solution)

In lithography, water based chemical solution used to dampen the place and keep non-image areas from accepting ink. Traditionally contained gum arabic, acid, and defoamer.

Four Color Process

The usual process of printing full color photos.

Fourdrinier

A machine that receives the pulp slurry in the papermaking process for removing water from the slurry and transferring the web to the press section of the paper machine. The machine takes its name after the Fourdrinier brothers who financed its early development. The machine was developed by Louis Robert.

Fourdrinier Wire

Continuously traveling and endless metal or plastic mesh belt on which the paper is formed.

Free Pulp

The pulp from which the water drains easily.

Free Sheet

Paper made from chemical pulp and contains no or minimal amount of mechanical pulp. It is generally of a higher quality, a high density, and is less absorbent.