DAT
A removable storage medium created from a magnetic tape with a storage capacity of up to 2 gb of data.
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Data Compression
The use of a specific computer algorithm to reduce the file size of electronic images and files
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Data Decompression
The use of a specific computer algorithm to expand a compressed file to it's original size
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Decorating
Printing or stamping a case, making it ready for use.
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Default Value
A program setting that comes stock from the software manufacturer, unless changed by the user this value will always be used by the application program
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Delete
To omit from copy or film. The delete mark ( ) is used to designate the material to be omitted.
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Densitometer
(1) In photography, a photoelectric instrument for measuring optical density or relative degree of light absorption or opacity of a subject.
(2) In printing, a reflection instrument used to measure the density and consistency of color throughout the run.
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Descender
The portion of a lower case letter that extends below the main body, such as in g, j, p, q, and y.
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Desktop Publisher
(1) A page layout application that integrates text and graphics on a microcomputer.
(2) One who uses a desktop publishing application.
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Desktop Publishing
Use of personal computers and software applications that allow integration of text and graphics with true typesetting standards. Frequently abbreviated as DTP.
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Device Driver
A printer driver. Ad program which functions as a translator, converting one devices' output into data that another device can understand.
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Didot
The European system of graphic arts measurements; twelve didot points equal one didot pica
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Die
A design, letters or pattern cut in metal for stamping book covers or for embossing; also called Stamping Die.
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Die Cutting
The use of sharp steel rules to cut special sizes and shapes, labels, boxes and containers from printed or unprinted materials.
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Die Negative
See: Engraver's Negative.
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Die Repro
Camera-ready copy of material to be stamped.
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Digital
A signal or display which varies between two extremes, either on or off, such as a clock which displays time by illuminating numbers. Computers are digital devices.
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Digital Deliverable
The return of files used for producing a printed product. In essence, this digital deliverable is a "digital negative". Digital deliverables can be requested as either "as printed" PostScript, or as corrected native application files.
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Digital Proof
A representation of the final image made from the data stored in a computer before plates or even negatives are made.
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Digitizer
A computer peripheral device that converts an analog signal (images or sound) into a digital signal. With an image, the digitizer sends position information to the computer, either on command from the user or at regular intervals.
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Dingbat
A typographical symbol or ornament such as bullets, arrows, and check marks; most common use is for decoration.
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Display File
The text as it appears on the screen or in a printout, with field tags and file markers invisible. Hypertext links are visible, because they are used to "jump" between related sections of the text.
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Display Type
(1) Typefaces designed for use in headlines or other non-text positions.
(2) Large sizes of any typeface, 14 points or larger, as distinct from body text sizes which usually extend up to 12 or 14 points.
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Display Type
Larger type, generally fourteen point and above
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DOI
Digital Object Identifier. A standardized code that identifies a whole or part of a document (e.g., book, chapter, figure, figure caption.) The degree of "granularization" is determined by the publisher.
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Dot
(1) The individual element of a halftone, created with a halftone screen.
(2) Not to be confused with a SPOT or PIXEL. A dot refers to a characteristic of a printing process. When pictures are printed they are made up from a series of dots called halftones. These dots vary in size to create the illusion of gray levels.
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Dot Etching
Color correction done on screened color separations by changing the sizes of halftone dots by hand, thereby changing the tone.
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Dot Gain
In printing, a defect in which dots print larger than they should, causing darker tones or colors.
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Dot Gain Scales
A series of fine screen numbers 0-9 in a coarse screen background; used to determine plate sharpness, resolution during platemaking and dot gain or plate wear on the press during printing.
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Dot Slurring
Smearing of halftone dots during printing.
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Dot Spread
In printing, a defect in which dots print larger than they should, causing darker tones or colors.
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Double Black Duotone
A two color halftone in which both plates are printed in black; also called Double Black Halftone Printing.
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Double Black Halftone Printing
See: Double Black Duotone.
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Double Page Spread
Any two facing pages on which the layout requires that copy on both pages match at the binding edge; copy which extends across the gutter margins.
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Double Thick Cover Stock
A cover stock composed of two sheets of 65 lb. cover stock laminated together.
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Double Varnish
Two applications of press varnish.
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Download
The process of copying data from a remote server to your computer
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Downsample
A method of reducing the resolution of an image by mathematically combining pixel arrays into a single value. The array of pixels is averaged and then this average is applied to the entire area.
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DPI (dots per inch)
The unit of measure for output resolution, the dpi refers to the number of dots that will fit in an inch. DPI is also used to measure the quality of input when using a scanner. The DPI in this case, becomes a square function measuring the dots both vertically as well as horizontally. Consequently, when an image is scanned in at 300 dpi, there are 90,000 dots or bits of electronic data (300 x 300) in every square inch.
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Draft
A sample copy of a document printed at a low dpi, used to check layout and text.
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Drilling
Punching of holes in folded sections, trimmed or untrimmed, or in finished books, which will permit their insertion over rings or posts in a binder.
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Drop Folio
A page number placed at the bottom of a page.
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Dropout Halftone
A halftone that contains no dots or details in the highlights; also called Highlight Halftone.
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DTD
Document Type Definition. An SGML construct associated with a class of documents that describes their syntax and their structure.
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DTP
See: Desktop Publishing.
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Dualtone
A halftone image reproduced using two colors.
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Dull Finish
A smooth surfaced paper with a low gloss finish.
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Dummy
(1) A preliminary layout showing the position of illustrations and text as they are to appear in the final reproduction.
(2) A set of blank pages made up in advance to show the size, shape, form and general style of a piece of printing. See: Bulking Dummy.
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Duotone
A two-color halftone reproduction from a one-color original, requiring two halftone negatives for opposite ends of the gray scale, one emphasizing highlights and the other emphasizing shadows. One plate usually is printed in dark ink, the other in a lighter one.
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Duplex Paper
A paper or cover stock with a different color, finish or texture on each side, usually produced by laminating two sheets.
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Dust Jacket
The printed or unprinted wrapper, usually paper, placed around a case bound book; also called Dust Cover, Dust Wrapper, Book Jacket or Jacket.
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Dye sublimation
A digital proofing technique that uses heat to transfer pigments from a doner sheet to a substrate
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Dylux
A fast, self-fixing photographic proofing paper that is sensitive on both sides. See: Bluelines.