Advertising Specialty: Useful or interesting article or merchandise, usually carrying an imprinted advertising or promotional message, given with no obligation. Also known as a giveaway, adcentive or promotional product.
Barrel: The writing instrument body which surrounds the ink cartridge.
Bleed: A printed image which extends beyond the trim edge of a sheet is known as a bleed.
Camera Ready: Any drawing, photos, illustration or lettering suitable for photographic reproduction.
Cloisart: Hot-stamp procedure where the desired logo/copy is foil hot-stamped on a solid brass or metal base, then covered with epoxy dome.
Cloisonne: Product in which a colored paste, made from ground glass, is applied to recessed areas, then fired at 1400 degrees and polished by stone and pumice to achieve brilliant color. Since gullies and ridges separate each individual color, fine lines between them are difficult to achieve.
Color Match: The process in which inks are blended to create a color closest to yours based on the Pantone Matching System (PMS). Exact color matches cannot be guaranteed and additional charges do apply.
Copy Change: An additional fee charged for changes to the imprint copy on a product at the time of proof approval or at the time or re-order.
Debossing: Depression of an image into a material such as paper, leather or suede, so the image sits below the product surface.
Decal: a picture, design, or label made to be transferred (as to glass) from specially prepared adhesive paper
Die: Mold into which molten metal, plastic or other material is forced to make a specific shape. Also, a tool of very hard material used to press a particular shape into or onto a softer material.
Die-Casting: Process where molten metal is injected into the cavity of a carved die.
Die-Cutting: Using sharp steel blades to cut shapes from printed sheets.
Die-Striking: Method of producing emblems and other flat specialties. A blank, cut from a metal sheet, is struck with a hammer that holds the die.
Digital Artwork: Artwork created using computer-assisted design software.
Digitize: to transform graphical input data into digital form for computer processing.
Drop Ship: Individual packaging, address and delivery of a product to a specific address, usually the recipient's or client's.
Engraving: Cutting an image into metal, wood or glass by one of three methods; computerized engraving, hand tracing or hand engraving.
Embossing: Raising of an image on a product, accomplished by pressing the material between concave and convex dies.
Embroidery: Art of creating and producing ornamental needlework consisting of designs worked on fabric with high luster threads either by hand or machine.
Design stitched onto fabric through the use of high speed, computer-controlled sewing machines.
End Quantity Pricing or EQP: the last column listed which offers the largest quantity and the lowest published price.
Etching: Imprinting method in which the product to be imaged is coated with a protective coating that resists acid. The image is then exposed, leaving bare metal and protected metal. The acid attacks only the exposed metal, leaving the image etched onto the surface.
Ferrule: The metal piece which attaches the eraser to the pencil.
Foil Stamp: The industrial printing process that we call "Foil Stamping" goes by many synonymous names including: hot stamping, hot foil stamping, gold stamping, gold blocking, dry stamping, dry printing, embossing and imprinting. What sets the foil stamping process apart from any other method of printing is its ability to apply a shiny metallic foil print. A brilliance that cannot be duplicated with ink, foil stamping is employed in a diverse range of consumer and industrial applications. Process in which a metal plate or die is heated and then pressed against foil into a surface, causing the pigments of the foil to transfer to the surface.
Fountain Pen: A pen filled from an external source and containing an ink reservoir that automatically feeds the writing point.
Four Color Process: Printing process that creates color productions by overprinting screens that individually print reds, yellows, blues and blacks of variable specified intensities.
Gel Ink: The latest in ink technology, gel ink offers smooth fluid writing.
Halftone: Engraving made by photographing through a glass screen that breaks the subject into small dots of varying intensities of gray, ranging from white to
black.
Hot Stamping: Dry imprinting process in which a design or type is set on a relief die that is subsequently impressed by heat and pressure onto the printing surface.
Imprint Area: The area on a product, with specific dimensions, in which the imprint is placed.
Imprint Color: The color used to print your logo and/or copy. Many products allow you to use multiple colors.
Laminated: Coated with clear plastic, or two separate sheets of paper joined together as a single sheet to provide a special thickness or varying colors from side to side.
Laser Engraving: Imprinting method by which art or lettering is cut into a
material by a laser beam that vaporizes the portion exposed through openings in a template.
Laser Engraving: Imprinting method by which art or lettering is cut into a material by a laser beam that vaporizes the portion exposed through openings in a template.
Lead Time: the amount of time quoted to complete your project. This is an approximation and will be finalized once your order is received and placed.
Less than Minimum: quantities less than the specified minimum set by the manufacturer. This is sometimes possible and will increase the unit prices and may require additional charges.
Offset Printing: Printing process in which a positive image is transferred to a rubber blanket in reverse, which in turn applies it to the surface to be printed, right reading.
Overrun/Underrun: number of products that more or less than what was originally ordered.
Pad Printing: Method of imprinting in which a recessed surface is covered with ink. When the plate is wiped clean, ink remains in the recessed area. A silicone pad then presses against the plate, pulls the ink out of the recesses and is pressed directly against the product.
Phantom Images: Any CMYK color build that can be printed as a percentage is called a phantom image. Logos, text, images and photographs can be printed as phantom images upon request. 10% is usually recommended to ensure writeability. This process is used when printing on paper.
Point Style: The tip of the writing instrument which determines the writing width.
(i.e. medium, fine or micro-fine).
PMS Color Chart (Pantone Matching System): Color scale used to precisely match colors for printing. Each hue has a coded number indicating instructions
for mixing inks to achieve that hue.
Personalization: To imprint the recipient's name on a particular product.
Plate: Rubber or metal image carrier that transfers ink to the printing surface.
Production Proof: a physical sample of the actual product itself printed per your order specifications and then sent for approval prior to going into production.
This is a costly process which can range anywhere from $25-$200 per item because it actually slows production at the factory to make the sample. It is however a good idea if you are running a large quantity and have the extra time to allow for this process. This will allow your complete and total satisfaction.
Production Time: the amount of time to produce and ship your order once we have received your complete order or proof approval.
Paper Proofs: Impression of type or artwork on paper so the correctness and quality of the material to be printed can be checked. The least expensive is a regular black and white faxed paper proof. The most expensive is an actual physical preproduction sample of the product itself.
Quantity Pricing: The price to which the items are discounted as the order increases in number. The more you order, the less you pay.
Screenprinting: Imprinting method in which the image is transferred to the printed surface by ink squeegeed through a stenciled screen stretched over a frame. Screens are treated with a light-sensitive emulsion, then film positives are put in contact with the screens and exposed to light. The light hardens the emulsion not covered by the film, leaving a soft area on the screen for the squeegee to force ink through. Also called silkscreening.
Set-Up Charge: Special charges added to certain products in a catalog. It covers the cost of preparing the type for the press and the actual printing. Also may be called screen charge or plate charge.
Sublimation: Dye transfer process where the image consists of a colored dye permanently embedded into the material surface of pores. Used to imprint messages, graphics and photographs on a variety of items, primarily
mouse pads, mugs, T-shirts, caps and trophy medals.
Trim: The parts that connect to the writing instrument. Trim typically includes the cap, clip, section, etc.