Print Publishing Industry Terminology

“We offered a $25,000 advance split 1/3 on signing, 1/3 on D&A, 1/3 on pub”; “The advance hasn’t earned out yet”; “Big advance to secure world rights.”

“Specify gloss aqueous on the cover”; “Matte AQ to avoid glare”; “AQ will reduce fingerprinting.”

“Marketing is shifting budget to backlist”; “A strong backlist smooths cash flow”; “We’ll add a new cover to refresh backlist sales.”

“Place the Bookland EAN-13 on the back cover with a $27.99 add-on”; “The barcode must be 100% size with good contrast”; “Retailers scan the EAN to receive metadata.”

“Assign two BISACs, primary first”; “Change BISAC to HISTORY / MILITARY to improve placement”; “BISACs flow via ONIX feeds.”

“Please add 1/8-inch bleed all around”; “Full-bleed photos”; “The PDF failed preflight due to missing bleed.”

“Cloth-over-boards case with foil on spine”; “Smyth-sewn case binding for durability”; “Endsheets match the case color.”

“Convert RGB images to CMYK”; “Avoid 4-color small text—use 100K”; “Press is calibrated to a CMYK profile.”

“Use 115 gsm matte coated for photo sections”; “Gloss coated for maximum pop”; “Coated stock lowers dot gain.”

“Add the copyright notice © 2025 Publisher, Inc.”; “We must clear image copyrights”; “Copyright assignment vs license.”

“Short digital run of 250 copies”; “Move long-run to offset”; “Color POD for backlist.”

“We’re moving to a full-service distributor”; “Distributor requires ONIX v3.0”; “FOB distributor’s warehouse.”

“Images must be 300 DPI at trim”; “Low-res (96 DPI) web art won’t print well”; “Check effective DPI after scaling.”

“Compensate for 20% TVI on uncoated”; “Use G7 curves to control dot gain”; “Proofs simulate TVI.”

“Add French fold on the jacket”; “Jacket copy will feature reviews”; “Spot UV on the jacket image.”

“Second edition with new foreword”; “Revised edition vs reprint”; “Assign a new ISBN for the paperback edition.”

“Printed endsheets with a map”; “Endsheets color matched to case”; “Tear in the endpaper at the hinge.”

“Spring frontlist catalog”; “Frontlist lead title with big co-op”; “Balancing frontlist and backlist revenue.”

“Specify grain long for 6×9”; “Wrong grain caused buckling”; “Printer confirmed grain direction.”

“Increase gutter for perfect binding”; “Keep folios out of the gutter”; “Two-page spread crosses the gutter.”

“Tag images with the correct CMYK profile”; “Use GRACoL/FOGRA profiles”; “Proof to the printer’s ICC.”

“16-page signature imposition”; “Work-and-turn layout”; “Check imposition before plating.”

“Published under our literary imprint”; “Imprint branding on the spine”; “Shift the title to a YA imprint.”

“Assign separate ISBNs for hardcover and paperback”; “978/979 Bookland prefixes”; “Barcode encodes the ISBN.”

“Magazine ISSN on the masthead”; “Apply for an ISSN with the national center”; “Print ISSN vs online ISSN.”

“Set a $18.99 list price”; “Royalty on list vs net”; “Price change requires a new barcode add-on.”

“Move color interiors to offset at 5,000+”; “Four-color offset on coated stock”; “Schedule plates and makeready time.”

“Declare the title OOP and revert rights”; “POD keeps it from going OOP”; “OOP status triggers reversion.”

“Logo in Pantone 186 C”; “Convert spot to CMYK for 4-color only”; “Add a fifth spot color on the jacket.”

“Export PDF/X-1a from InDesign”; “Printer accepts PDF/X-1a:2001”; “Preflight flagged RGB in the PDF.”

“6×9 perfect-bound trade paperback”; “Increase spine width for heavier stock”; “Switch to PUR for durability.”

“Shift deep backlist to POD”; “POD unit cost is higher, but no warehousing”; “Use POD to test demand.”

“Preflight failed: RGB images detected”; “Add missing bleeds and re-export”; “Printer’s preflight report is clean.”

“Initial print run of 10,000”; “Reforecast requires a second run”; “Unit cost drops at 5k+ run sizes.”

“Client signed the contract proof”; “Press will match the proof within tolerance”; “Soft proof via calibrated monitor.”

“Supply logos as vector PDF/AI/SVG”; “Raster at 300 ppi at final size”; “Don’t enlarge low-res rasters.”

“30% reserve in the first two royalty periods”; “Release of reserve next statement”; “High returns increased the reserve.”

“Plan a 25% returns rate”; “Co-op drove sell-in but returns spiked”; “Returns processing at the distributor.”

“Trigger a reprint at 500 on hand”; “File is reprint-ready”; “Combine reprint with price change.”

“Use rich black for large solids”; “Keep small text 100K only”; “Barcode must be pure black.”

“We sold translation rights in German”; “Subsidiary rights split 50/50 net”; “Retain serial rights for excerpts.”

“10% of list on hardcover”; “8%/10%/12% escalators by copy break”; “15% of net on trade paperback.”

“Saddle-stitch the 32-page catalog”; “Watch for page creep”; “Max page count depends on stock thickness.”

“Two 16-page signatures per form”; “Alter imposition to fix a signature error”; “Signature count drives spine width.”

“The title P&L breaks even at 7,500 units”; “Increase print cost changes the P&L”; “Rights income improves the P&L.”

“Standard trade discount 50–55%”; “Specialty accounts at 40%”; “Royalty on net receipts after discount.”

“Choose 6×9 trade trim”; “Allow 0.125-inch bleed beyond trim”; “Trim change impacts spine width.”

“Spot UV on the title lettering”; “UV is glossier than AQ”; “Avoid cracking by scoring before folding.”

“70# uncoated text for interiors”; “Expect softer images on uncoated”; “Choose uncoated for a literary aesthetic.”

“Agent granted world rights to the publisher”; “Retain translation rights”; “Higher advance for full world rights.”