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Glossary
for Copier Terms, Printer Terms and Paper Terms
A
B C D E
F G H I J
K L M N O
P Q R S
T U V W
X Y Z
AFP
AFP
stands for "Advanced Function Presentation." It is a hardware &
software architecture and a language that
describes text & graphics. It is understood by many printers that are used
in mainframe environments. It was invented
by IBM. AFP is also known as "AFPDS ("Advanced Function
Presentation Data Stream").
AUTOMATIC
EXPOSURE CONTROL
Automatically
adjusts the amount of light necessary to properly expose the selected
original. (i.e.: colored paper, poor
quality original)
ANALOG
COPIER
Lens
and mirrors are the components of the conventional analog copier that
transfers the scanned image to a
photoconductor. The mirrors direct the light through the lens and then to the
drum.
AUTOMATIC
DOCUMENT FEEDER (ADF)
A
device that holds a stack of originals and feeds them automatically, one at a
time to the exposure glass for
scanning/copying.
AUTOMATIC
START
Allows
the user to enter copy functions/commands during the warm-up period. After
warm-up is completed, copying will begin automatically.
BATES
STAMPING
Primarily
used in legal applications, Bates Stamping is the numbering of the legal
documents. This was done by hand in the past with a numbering machine
manufactured by the Bates Manufacturing Company. The numbers on the
documents came to be known by the name of the company and "Bates
Stamping" came to mean the process of placing the "Bates
Numbers" on the pages. When large numbers of documents are involved, this
can be done automatically by printers or during the scanning process.
CONTINUOUS
COPIES
Ability
to make copy after copy without the operator having to press the start key at
the end of each copy cycle. The number of continuous copies, varies by model.
CONTINUOUS
MODE
Enables
copier to continue producing photocopies until it runs out of paper.
COPY
SIZE
Both
the minimum and maximum copy area, and paper size that the copier can utilize.
CONSOLE
COPIER
The
dimensions , weight or design of these units prohibit desktop support;
consequently, these units are free standing and feature built-in consoles.
CPM
Copies
Per Minute.
DESKTOP
COPIER
The
dimensions , weight or design of these units allow them t be supported by a
desk or optional stand.
DEVELOPER
The
substance that carries the toner in the developer unit. Through the friction
of the developer the toner particles are charged, which will cause attraction
to the oppositely charged drum.
DEVELOPMENT
Process
by which toner is applied to the image on the photoconductor drum.
DIGITAL
COPIER
Digital
copiers scan and digitize originals before reproducing them (as opposed to
using the analogue "light lens"
method) essentially, they are converting images to computerized data. All
multifunctional copiers are digital, though not all digital copiers are
multifunctional.
Digital
copiers use an array of sensors that scan the image of a document and prepare
it for digital processing.
Scanner can utilize two types of scanning technologies, CCD (charge-coupled
device) or CIS (contact image sensor). A CCD scanner uses a series of
mirrors and a lens to move the image onto a light-sensitive CCD chip, while a
CIS scanner uses a single row of LED sensor that are positioned a millimeter
or two below the document along the full width of the scanner.
DJDE
Dynamic
Job Descriptor Entry (DJDE) is a production printer language developed by
Xerox Corporation primarily to
map data to forms. It combines print data stream specification, variable data
printing and forms development. The
output is targeted at Xerox laser printers. Resources, including forms, fonts,
graphics and logos were developed with a
variety of tools provided by many different companies. These were stored at
the printer. When the print data stream
was sent from the host to the printer, commands in the data stream referenced
resources stored at the printer. The
printers were generally directly connected to the host computer usually via
Channel.
DRUM
The
heart of a copier on which the image is formed. It consists of an aluminum
core with multiple layers of light and
charge sensitive material such as selenium, or an organic based material.
DUPLEX
Duplexing
is the process of printing, copying or scanning images on both sides of a
piece of paper.
ELECTRONIC
SORTING (E-SORT)
Sorting
is done is accomplished by the computer within the copier so no external trays.
In other word if you are making two copies of a five page document a copier
that does electronic sorting will produce pages 1,2,3,4,5 and then 1,2,3,4,5
unlike a copier that does not electronically sort that would produce pages
1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5.
ENERGY
SAVE MODE
An
energy conserving feature where after copying and a preset time period, the
copier automatically goes into a
standby mode in which partial fusing heat is maintained so that a full warm-up
period is not necessary for the next copy job.
ENLARGEMENT
Ability
to increase the size of the image of the original on a photocopy.
EPS
Encapsulated
Post Script, a known file format usually used to transfer post script
information from one program to
another.
FIRST
COPY TIME
Time
required from when the start key is pressed to the time the first copy arrives
at the exit tray.
FUSING
Process
used to permanently affix the toner particles to the copy paper. Most
commonly, heat and pressure applied by a heat lamp inside two rollers.
IMPOSITION
Imposition
is the process of:
* modifying the position, orientation, and printing order of the individual
pages in a document, and
* grouping collections of individual pages together on larger sheets of paper
or film
so that the pages are arranged properly for printing on a particular printing
press and for binding with a particular
binding system.
IPDS
IPDS
stands for "Intelligent Printer Data Streams." It is a language that
contains the information necessary to identify, monitor, and control the
functions of certain kinds of printers that are used in mainframe
environments. This information includes the characteristics of the printer,
its resolution, what resources it has, whether it has sufficient memory, and
whether it receives and prints a job.
IFPDS was invented by IBM. It is part of IBM's AFP architecture.
MANUAL
BYPASS
Allows
the user to copy on to different paper stock, without changing paper cassettes
or trays. Also used for two-sided copying.
MAXIMUM
ORIGINAL SIZE
Largest
original that can be placed on the glass and copied.
MAXIMUM
COPY SIZE
Largest
size paper that can be put through the machine.
MAXIMUM
/ MINIMUM PAPER WEIGHTS
Paper
weights that are recommended for use in the copier.
METACODE
Metacode
is a language that describes text & graphics and is understood by many
Xerox printers, some current OCE
and Heidelberg printers. Metacode is the standard print language of
Xerox LPS printers.
MULTI-COPY
Greatest
number of copies that the copier can be programmed to produce, from one
original. Note: differs by model.
MULTI-COPY
SPEED
Number
of copies per minute produced from one original in a continuous run after the
first copy exits. This is also the maximum copy output speed of the machine.
NIC
NIC
stands for “Network Interface Card”. A NIC allows a digital copier
or printer to become a network printer.
OCR
OCR
stands for "Optical Character Recognition." It is a computerized
process that enables you to convert a paper
document into a computer file that you can search and manipulate using a word
processor.
An OCR system reads text from paper, translates the images of letters,
numbers, punctuation marks, etc. into a text-based form, and creates a
computer file that contains the translated information. The computer file that
gets created contains fonts and ASCII codes.
All OCR systems include a machine called a "scanner." This is a
device with a clear glass surface on it and a camera
inside it. You put a document face-down on the glass and the camera inside the
scanner takes a picture of the
document and stores that picture in the form of a bitmap file (also known as
an "image file"). Then, the OCR software in your computer uses its
intelligence to examine the patterns of dots in the image file and creates a
file that contains text that is represented as fonts and ASCII codes.
With most OCR systems, the image file that is created by the scanner is
discarded after the final file (the file containing the fonts and ASCII codes)
has been created.
OFFSET
PRINTING
A
method of printing in which the image on the plate is transferred to the final
substrate via an intermediate surface.
OPTICS
Lens
and Mirrors: These are the components of the conventional analog copier that
convey the scanned image from
the glass to the photoconductor drum. The mirrors direct the light through the
lens (for focusing or magnification) to the drum.
PAPER
CAPACITY
Maximum
amount of paper, copier can store in the paper tray.
PAPER
TRAY
Removable
cassette, where blank paper is stored for copying.
PAPER
TERMS
BRIGHTNESS
- In relation to paper quality, this provides a measurement of the
luminosity and degree of whiteness of a sheet. It is expressed as a percentage
representing the proportion of light reflected compared to the amount of light
emitted.
CALIPER
- The distance between one surface of a paper and the other. It is
measured in micrometers.
CARBONLESS
COPY PAPER - This consists of two sheets of paper; the underside of the
top sheet is coated with
colorless dye in minute gelatin capsules; the underneath sheet is coated with
a reactive chemical which turns blue or black when mixed with the colorless
dye; pressure from a pen or typewriter on the top sheet causes the gelatin
capsules to break, the dye and chemical mix and the blue or black copy appears
on the bottom sheet.
COATED
PAPER - Special type of paper which has undergone a specific surface
treatment to give it a good
smoothness. In general it is covered with a thin layer of clay or chalk which
gives it a better printing quality and avoids the fuzziness that is associated
with some papers.
CUT
SIZES - Paper sizes used with office machines and small presses.
GLOSS
- Gloss can refer to the reflectivity of paper itself or of the printed
result on it. Gloss of paper is measured by using a Gardner gloss meter, which
measures reflected light at an angle of 75°, and is expressed in Gardner
gloss
units - the higher the number, the glossier the paper surface.
GRAIN
- The fibers in a web of paper naturally take up an alignment
roughly parallel to the direction of travel of the web on the paper making
machine; this becomes the grain direction. When cut, the paper’s grain
direction may be parallel either to the long edge of the finished sheet (when
it is called long grain) or the short edge (short grain).
Papers are normally stocked in long grain form, short grain being supplied to
special order. The grain direction affects the stiffness in a particular
dimension and must be taken into account when planning a job which needs to be
folded, as paper usually folds easier with the grain.
NCR
- No Carbon Required. This expression, which was introduced by the
National Cash Register company (which
formerly owned the patents), has now been superseded by the term Carbonless
(q.v.).
OPACITY
- The extent to which a paper is capable of obscuring matter printed on
the verso or on an underlying page or other surface.
PERFECTING
- Printing both sides of the substrate at the same pass through a printing
machine.
REAM
- A unit of measurement for sheets of paper; normally 500.
SIZING
- This process can either be applied on the surface of the sheet or
in the sheet: in the first case starch is
applied to the surface to increase its strength and to resist the penetration
of oil-based inks (this process is carried out at the size press, which is
about two-thirds of the way down the dry end); in the second case chemicals
are added to the stock at the pulping stage before the sheet is formed: this
is called internal or engine sizing and its purpose is to stop penetration of
water-based inks into the sheet.
SMOOTHNESS
- The surface smoothness of paper is measured by the Bendtsen smoothness
test. Also know as
Sheffield. The test measures the amount of air escaping between an
annular ring and the material surface, and results are measured in ml/min.
Papers having a value higher than 50 are usually referred to as Matt, below 50
as Silk (sometimes called Satin or Velvet).
VELLUM
PAPER - Vellum paper - strong, tough and of high class appearance -
is made to imitate the fine smooth
finish of a parchment made from animal skin. Vellum paper is often used for
certificates.
PAPER
SIZE
US
and Canada Paper Size (Inches)
Invoice 5 1/2 x 8 1/2
Letter 8 1/2 x 11
Legal 8 1/2 x 14
Ledger 11 x 17
PCL
PCL
stands for "Printer Control Language." PCL was invented by
Hewlett-Packard Corporation, and it is a language
that is used for describing the text and graphics in documents. Technically,
PCL is known as a "page-description
language." Because PCL was invented by Hewlett-Packard Corporation,
it is also known as "HP-PCL." Files that
contain documents described in the PCL language are normally called "PCL
files"; hence, PCL is known as a file format as well as a language.
PDF
PDF
stands for Portable Document Format. It is a file format that describes the
text and graphics in documents. It was invented by Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Because it describes the text and graphics in documents, PDF is
considered to be a page-description language. Note, however, that PDF is quite
different from other page-description languages (such as PostScript and PCL)
because — unlike other page-description languages — PDF can do much more
than simply describe the appearance of a document. Software that supports PDF
viewing (such as the Adobe Acrobat software) understands the PDF format.
PDL
A
page-description language (PDL) is a computer language that describes the text
and graphics in a document.
Printers and RIPs understand page-description languages. There are
only a few page-description languages that are in widespread use today.
Perhaps the best-known page-description languages are:
· AFP (invented by IBM)
· PCL (invented by Hewlett-Packard
Corporation)
· PDF (invented by Adobe Systems
Incorporated)
· PostScript (also invented by
Adobe Systems Incorporated)
Usually, AFP, PostScript, or PCL is used when you are printing a document on
paper; and PDF is used when you want a file that can be viewed on the screen
by using 1) the Adobe Acrobat software, 2) a Web browser that is capable of
displaying PDF files, or 3) some other software application that lets you view
PDF files. However, you can also print PDF files on paper; and these days,
more and more people are generating PDF output (as opposed to AFP, PCL, or
PostScript output) for printing hard-copy documents.
PHOTO
MODE
The
ability of the copier to copy halftones or photographs more clearly
PLATEN
The
platen (or exposure glass) is the plate of glass upon which the original is
placed for copying. There are two types of platens:
MOVING
The
platen moves from side to side, carrying the original over the optics. Copiers
with moving platens usually have
speeds of less than 20 copies per minute.
STATIONARY
The
platen remains stationary while an internal scanning device moves from side to
side to copy the original. This
feature usually makes a machine physically larger but gives user the option of
adding a document feeder, which cannot be used on a copier with a moving
platen.
Note: When determining the amount of space needed for a copier, the user must
take into account whether or not, they need to allow extra room for the moving
platen.
PPML
PPML
stands for Personalized Print Markup Language. PPML is an XML-based
language for variable-data printing.
PPML was developed by The Digital Printing Initiative (PODi). PODi,
formerly known as the Print On Demand Initiative, is a not-for-profit
multi-vendor initiative that's working to develop the market for digital
printing.
POSTSCRIPT
PostScript
is a language that is used for describing the text and graphics in documents.
PostScript was invented by
Adobe Systems Incorporated. Technically, PostScript is known as a
"page-description language." Files that contain
documents described in the PostScript language are normally called
"PostScript files"; hence, PostScript is known as a file format as
well as a language. Most laser printers and imagesetters understand the
PostScript language. The
Adobe Acrobat Distiller software also understands the PostScript language.
RASTERIZATION
Rasterization
is the process of converting code that describes text and graphics into the
format that is required by a printer's "print engine," which is the
machinery that actually puts marks on a page. Rasterization is performed
by a "raster image processor," also known as a RIP. With some
systems, the RIP is a computer that is inside the printer itself. If you print
your documents on a desktop printer such as a Hewlett Packard LaserJet or a
Lexmark Optra, your RIP is probably inside the printer. With other
systems, the RIP is separate from the printer. For example, if your company
uses a Xerox DocuTech printer, the RIP is probably a software program that
runs on a Unix computer or a Windows computer that is separate from but
connected to the printer. The code that gets converted (i.e., rasterized)
is known as "page-description-language code."
REDUCTION
Function
which allows the operator to decrease the size of the image on the copy paper.
RIP
RIP
stands for "Raster Image Processor." A RIP is a device or a software
program that converts page-description-
language code to the format required by the print engine in a printer or
imagesetter. (The print engine is the machinery that actually makes marks on a
page.)
SCAN
ONCE PRINT MANY (SOPM)
Single
scan systems scans the document once and prints multiple copies.
SINGLE
DOCUMENT FEEDER (SPF)
The
document must be manually pulled through the feed mechanism each time a copy
is needed.
SORTER
A
device which is added to the copier for use when producing collated copies.
TONER
Plastic-carbon
based substance that forms the image on the paper. Toner is part of a
mono-component, or dual-
component developing system. It has the appearance of a dry powder.
VARIABLE
DATA PRINTING
"Variable-data
printing" is a form of on-demand printing in which all the documents in a
print run are similar but not
identical. For example, if you are printing personalized letters to be mailed
to your customers, each document probably
has the same basic layout, but there is a different customer name and address
on each letter.
When you use your word-processing software to do a mail merge, you are doing a
simple form of variable-data printing.
These days, variable-data printing can go far beyond printing different names
and addresses on a document. There
are systems that let you insert different graphics into a document, change the
layout and/or the number of pages, print
a unique bar code on each document, use color extensively. . . and more.
The concept of creating variable-data documents has been extended to non-paper
documents such as PDF
documents and HTML documents. The term "variable-data printing and
publishing" (or just "variable-data publishing")
encompasses both paper documents and on-line documents.
Variable-data printing and publishing is known by several other names. Some of
them are:
* personalized printing
* personalized publishing
* personalization
* customized printing
* customized publishing
* database publishing
* one-to-one (1:1) communication
* one-to-one (1:1) publishing.
Because variable-data printing/publishing systems are often used to create
documents for promoting and selling
products & services, the terms
* direct marketing
* one-to-one (1:1) marketing
are often used in connection with variable-data printing/publishing
technology.
WARM-UP
TIME
Amount
of time required for the copier to become operable after being switched on.
XML
"XML"
stands for "Extensible Markup Language. You can think of XML as a method
for describing information so that
computers (and humans) can understand it easily.
ZOOM
"Zoom"
reduction or enlargement modes may be selected by the operator in 1%
increments. Magnification percentages (+/-) typically range from 65% to 155%.
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