Glossary
- Artifact
- Back flap
- Banding
- Binding
- Bitmap (.bmp)
- Bleed (Full Bleed)
- Casewrap (Case)
- CCITT compression
- CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black)
- Coil-bound (PlastiCoil)
- Composition
- Copyediting
- Copyright
- Copyright License
- Copyright Page
- Dots Per Inch (dpi)
- Download
- Drop shadow
- Encapsulated PostScript (.eps)
- Dust Jacket (Dust Cover)
- Endsheet (Endpaper)
- File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
- Flush
- Footer
- Format
- Graphics Interchange Format (.gif)
- Grayscale
- Gutter
- Header (or head margin)
- High contrast
- Hue
- ISBN (International Standard Book Number)
- Joint Photographic Experts Group (.jpg or .jpeg)
- Justification
- Keywords
- Landscape
- Lines Per Inch (LPI)
- Lossless Compression
- Lossy Compression
- LZW Compression
- Margin
- Overprint
- Page Count
- Pages Per Inch (PPI)
- Pagination
- Paper stock
- Paper Weight
- Perfect-bound
- Pixel
- Pixelated
- Pixels per inch (PPI)
- Point
- Portable Document Format (.pdf)
- Portable Network Graphic (.png)
- Portrait
- Preview
- Print on demand (POD)
- Proof
- Public Domain
- Raster Image Processor (RIP)
- Resolution
- RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
- Rich Text Format (RTF)
- Saddle-stitched
- Scaling
- Spine
- Spread
- Stock
- Tagged Image File Format (TIFF)
- Template
- Text Block
- Tint
- Title Page
- Toner
- Transparency
- Trim size
- Upload
- Variance
Artifact
A visible defect in a scanned image, usually caused by hardware or software limitations.
A defect in an image caused by repeated encoding/compressing of JPEG images.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:56:33 | Back to top
Back flap
The back part of a dust jacket that folds inward and contains copy continued from the front flap and/or a photo and biography of the author.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:13:10 | Back to top
Banding
An undesirable graphic effect in which a gradation contains visible stepping of shades.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:13:37 | Back to top
Binding
The fastening of assembled sheets or signatures along one edge (inside edge or inner margin) of a publication. The binding process also includes folding, gathering, trimming, stitching, gluing, and/or casing.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:56:22 | Back to top
Bitmap (.bmp)
A format for saving images, particularly black and white images, not recommended for use in manuscripts to be submitted to Lulu.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:14:01 | Back to top
Bleed (Full Bleed)
The portion of an image, line, or color that extends beyond the final page size.
Bleed is necessary for when you want images, lines or colors to go to the edge of the finished page. For example, a 6 x 9" page is created larger (6.25 x 9.25") and is centered .125"(1/8") around the finished page size. See the image below.
When creating a document with bleed keep in mind that important art and text should be .25"(1/4") from the edge of the finished page size. This will allow for trim variance as well as bleed. The variance is shown below from the blue dotted line to the orange dotted line.

Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:14:15 | Back to top
Casewrap (Case)
The most common type of binding for Hardcover books. Coated paper is attached to boards and then glued to the spine of a bound book.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:13:51 | Back to top
CCITT compression
Method for compressing monochrome bitmap images used by fax machines.
Not Recommended!
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:56:17 | Back to top
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black)
The colors of the subtractive color system, also known as process colors. This is the image mode ideal for traditional print.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:56:09 | Back to top
Coil-bound (PlastiCoil)
The most common type of binding for instructional manuals, cookbooks and calendars since it permits them to lie flat. Pages are held together with a round plastic coil inserted through holes punched along the inner margins of the pages.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:56:32 | Back to top
Composition
Formerly used to describe the process of hand-setting letterpress type, now used to describe the process of designing and laying out pages and sections of a manuscript.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:56:51 | Back to top
Copyediting
Includes checking spelling, grammar, punctuation, proper abbreviations, numbers and lists, and proper word usage in a manuscript, as well as the table of contents.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:57:09 | Back to top
Copyright
A form of intellectual property, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to that work's publication, distribution and adaptation for a certain time period. After the time period the work is said to enter the public domain. For information on U.S. copyright laws visit copyright.gov
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:57:21 | Back to top
Copyright License
Defines what other people are allowed to do with your work.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:57:31 | Back to top
Copyright Page
The page that typically appears after the title page, containing the artistic property protection (license). If the book has an ISBN then the ISBN number must also be included on this page.
Example:
© 2008 Lulu Author. All rights reserved.
ISBN 123-456-789-1
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:13:23 | Back to top
Dots Per Inch (dpi)
The physical density of pixels/dots in an image when printed. The higher the dpi the source image, the clearer and more detailed (up to a point) the output of the printer will be.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:57:52 | Back to top
Download
A file transferred from the Internet to your computer. The act of transferring a file from the Internet to your computer.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:58:11 | Back to top
Drop shadow
A graphic effect in which display type is repeated behind itself, creating a "shadow."
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:58:23 | Back to top
Encapsulated PostScript (.eps)
A document file format that contains PostScript information for high-resolution graphics.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:58:32 | Back to top
Dust Jacket (Dust Cover)
A separate paper wrapper that covers a casewrap book and protects the cover. Lulu Dust jacket casewraps are bound in navy blue linen.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:13:26 | Back to top
Endsheet (Endpaper)
A sheet of paper that attaches the inside pages of a hardcover book to the cover.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:58:44 | Back to top
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
A way to transfer files to and from websites without using a browser. Usually requires an FTP client.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:58:55 | Back to top
Flush
To align text or images along one edge of a page layout.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 17:00:22 | Back to top
Footer
An area in the bottom margin of a page, often containing the page number.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:13:39 | Back to top
Format
General physical appearance of a book or magazine, such as the typeface, binding, quality of paper, margins, etc.
The act of formatting.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 17:02:16 | Back to top
Graphics Interchange Format (.gif)
An image file format best suited for digital images with few colors, such as cartoon clip art. It also supports transparency and limited animation.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:13:24 | Back to top
Grayscale
The range of gray tones between black and white as displayed on a monitor or in an image.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:13:11 | Back to top
Gutter
The inner margins of two facing pages in a publication.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:13:10 | Back to top
Header (or head margin)
The top of a page above the headline or text.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:13:18 | Back to top
High contrast
A photographic reproduction that contains higher density levels than usual.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:13:38 | Back to top
Hue
The attribute of a color that distinguishes it from other colors.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:13:49 | Back to top
ISBN (International Standard Book Number)
A unique number provided by R.R. Bowker/Reed Reference Publishing and assigned by the publisher that identifies the binding, edition, and publisher of a book.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:57:46 | Back to top
Joint Photographic Experts Group (.jpg or .jpeg)
An image file format ideal for digital images with lots of colors, such as photographs.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 17:02:17 | Back to top
Justification
Aligning each line of a paragraph so that the edges of the text are straight along one or both margins.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:57:52 | Back to top
Keywords
Single words or short phrases that describe your book and help improve search results.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:14:02 | Back to top
Landscape
Landscape can describe an image or page that is wider than it is tall or the page orientation for a home printer. Lulu’s printers cannot print files in a landscape orientation. See http://athleticaid.com/yaquinapress/landscape for more info.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:57:23 | Back to top
Lines Per Inch (LPI)
The number of rows of halftone cells per inch, also referred to as screen frequency. The finer the frequency, the less noticeable the halftone dots.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:58:57 | Back to top
Lossless Compression
A method of compression in which very little data is lost when decompressed.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:58:57 | Back to top
Lossy Compression
A method of compression in which data is lost when decompressed.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:13:30 | Back to top
LZW Compression
A Lossless data compression algorithm designed to be fast to implement, but not the best option because it performs only limited analysis of the data.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:58:24 | Back to top
Margin
The white space surrounding the text or main content of a page.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:57:13 | Back to top
Overprint
In most cases, when two objects of different colors overlap they knockout -- they won't print on top of each other. To intentionally print one layer of ink on top of another is to overprint. Overprinting is sometimes used to avoid the need for trapping and avoid gaps between touching colors. Spot colors intended to designate the application of spot varnish are also set up to overprint.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:58:55 | Back to top
Page Count
Total number of pages in a book, counting both sides of each sheet of paper.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 17:02:16 | Back to top
Pages Per Inch (PPI)
Unit used to measure the thickness of paper.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:14:16 | Back to top
Pagination
The numbering of the pages. Odd page numbers are on the right side of the printed book, even page numbers are on the left.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:56:09 | Back to top
Paper stock
The paper used for printing a particular piece.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:58:50 | Back to top
Paper Weight
A system of measuring paper thickness.
The weight of one or more sheets of paper.
The U.S. System weighs 500 sheets of the paper type (text, cover, bond, etc.) Each of these paper types has its own "size" used to calculate the weight. 500 sheets of 25 x 38" Brand X text paper would be 80lb text paper. It is possible to weigh two sheets of the same paper using different sheet sizes come out with a different weight.
The Metric System measures all paper grades based on grams per square meter (gsm) of a single sheet of paper. With two weights like 250 gsm or 90 gsm, the 90 gsm is considered a text weight and the 250 gsm, a cover weight.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:59:07 | Back to top
Perfect-bound
The most common type of binding, usually for paperback books. Pages are gathered, one on top of another; then flexible adhesive is applied to the spine.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:56:21 | Back to top
Pixel
Common term for picture element, the smallest single component of a digital image or monitor.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:58:42 | Back to top
Pixelated
A displayed or printed image is said to be pixelated when the edges are jagged when they should be smooth. This happens when the image resolution (see DPI) is too low.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:56:33 | Back to top
Pixels per inch (PPI)
Or pixel density is the measurement of the resolution of computer displays, image scanners, or digital camera image sensors. Also can be used to describe the resolution of an image to be printed within a specified space.
Example: A 300 x 300 pixel image printed on a 1-inch square would have 300 pixels per inch.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:56:52 | Back to top
Point
A typographic unit of measure. Traditionally, there are 72.27, 72.29, or 72.3 points to the inch, depending on whom you ask. For the purpose of designating type sizes, most modern publishing applications use 72 points to the inch.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:57:12 | Back to top
Portable Document Format (.pdf)
A file format developed by Adobe to allow the creation and sharing of documents that will look and print the same on any machine.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:57:22 | Back to top
Portable Network Graphic (.png)
An bitmapped image file format that uses lossless compression.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:57:45 | Back to top
Portrait
Portrait can describe an image or page that is taller than it is wide or the page orientation for a home printer. Lulu’s printers cannot print files in a landscape orientation. See http://athleticaid.com/yaquinapress/landscape for more info.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:13:27 | Back to top
Preview
To look over your PDF to get an advance idea or impression of how it will print.
"Lulu Preview" Preview allows customers to see a sample of what they are purchasing.
"Preview" a Mac application for displaying PDFs and images.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:57:34 | Back to top
Print on demand (POD)
Printing, usually from a digital file to a digital printer, only when the object is needed and in the quantity required.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:57:34 | Back to top
Proof
A pre-publication printing intended for editorial use, or occasionally to be sent out for review.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:57:56 | Back to top
Public Domain
Intellectual Property which is not owned or controlled by anyone. These works are "public property" and available to use for any purpose.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:13:11 | Back to top
Raster Image Processor (RIP)
A device that takes the PDF we send to the printer and makes it into something the printer can understand.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:57:55 | Back to top
Resolution
Defines amount of detail and clarity in images, measured in dots per inch or pixels per inch.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:58:16 | Back to top
RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
The hues of the additive color system. This is the image mode ideal for digital images.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:58:24 | Back to top
Rich Text Format (RTF)
A universal document file format that is readable across operating systems and word processors. Unlike .txt, it offers limited formatting capabilities like bold and centered text.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:58:37 | Back to top
Saddle-stitched
The most common type of binding for booklets or comics. Folded sheets of paper are held together with staples along the spine of the book. Books are printed in multiples of 4 pages.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:58:56 | Back to top
Scaling
The process of determining the amount an image should be reduced or enlarged to fit a specified area.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:58:45 | Back to top
Spine
The backbone of a book. The spine displays the title and author of the book and is often the only part of the book that can be seen on a shelf.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 17:00:39 | Back to top
Spread
Often called two-page spread. Two adjoining facing pages in a book, featuring a single image (photograph or Artwork) or a themed group of images that span across the gutter.
At Lulu you cannot upload a PDF as spreads, you must have separate pages.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:13:00 | Back to top
Stock
The type of paper or other material that will be used for printing.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:57:46 | Back to top
Tagged Image File Format (TIFF)
A standard graphic format for the storage of high-resolution (greater than 72 dpi) scanned images that can be imported into a page layout program.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 17:02:16 | Back to top
Template
A pre-formatted document that is protected from overwriting and can be used repeatedly to create new documents.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:13:10 | Back to top
Text Block
Pages containing the content of a book (text, illustrations, etc.).
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:13:23 | Back to top
Tint
A solid color that has been screened back less than 100% to create a lighter shade of that particular color.
To screen a solid color back by less than 100% to make it lighter.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:13:38 | Back to top
Title Page
The page at or near the front which displays its title, author, publisher, date, etc.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:13:49 | Back to top
Toner
Imaging material used in laser printers, copiers, and other electrophotographic devices.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:14:02 | Back to top
Transparency
An effect applied to an object that causes it to appear transparent and allows objects below it to show through. A common Transparency is the drop shadow(reference drop shadow).
Layers in files will become transparencies when converted to PDF.
Transparencies cause white blocks or washed out colors when printed. The best practice is to flatten layers in all files when converting to PDF or right before converting to PDF.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:14:16 | Back to top
Trim size
The size of a page/book after it has been trimmed.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:56:10 | Back to top
Upload
To transfer a file from your computer to a website, like Lulu.com.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:56:38 | Back to top
Variance
Slight deviation or difference from the original form. In printing there is a possible difference from book to book or run to run of books. There is an acceptable 1/8th inch variance as well as an acceptable color variance.
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:56:33 | Back to top
Last updated: 2009-07-09 16:58:16


