ISO 12637-1:2006
(Main)Graphic technology — Vocabulary — Part 1: Fundamental terms
Graphic technology — Vocabulary — Part 1: Fundamental terms
ISO 12637-1:2006 defines a set of fundamental terms that can be used in the drafting of other International Standards for graphic technology. In order to facilitate their translation into other languages, the definitions are worded so as to avoid, where possible, any peculiarity attached to one language. The entries in ISO 12637-1:2006 are arranged alphabetically.
Technologie graphique — Vocabulaire — Partie 1: Termes fondamentaux
Grafična tehnologija - Slovar - 1. del: Temeljni izrazi
Ta del ISO 12637 opredeljuje sklop temeljnih izrazov, ki se lahko uporabljajo pri pripravi osnutkov drugih mednarodnih standardov za grafično tehnologijo. Z namenom, olajšati njihove prevode v druge jezike, se definicije glasijo tako, da se, kjer je to mogoče, izogne kakršni koli posebnosti, ki velja za posamezni jezik. Navedbe v tem delu ISO 12637 so razvrščene po abecedi.
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2010
*UDILþQDWHKQRORJLMD6ORYDUGHO 7HPHOMQLL]UD]L
Graphic technology - Vocabulary - Part 1: Fundamental terms
Technologie graphique - Vocabulaire - Partie 1: Termes fondamentaux
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ISO 12637-1:2006
ICS:
01.040.37 Slikovna tehnologija (Slovarji) Image technology
(Vocabularies)
37.100.01 *UDILþQDWHKQRORJLMDQD Graphic technology in
VSORãQR general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 12637-1
First edition
2006-02-01
Graphic technology — Vocabulary —
Part 1:
Fundamental terms
Technologie graphique — Vocabulaire —
Partie 1: Termes fondamentaux
Reference number
©
ISO 2006
PDF disclaimer
This PDF file may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, this file may be printed or viewed but
shall not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading this file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create this PDF file can be found in the General Info relative to the file; the PDF-creation
parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the file is suitable for use by ISO member bodies. In
the unlikely event that a problem relating to it is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the address given below.
© ISO 2006
The reproduction of the terms and definitions contained in this International Standard is permitted in teaching manuals, instruction
booklets, technical publications and journals for strictly educational or implementation purposes. The conditions for such reproduction are:
that no modifications are made to the terms and definitions; that such reproduction is not permitted for dictionaries or similar publications
offered for sale; and that this International Standard is referenced as the source document.
With the sole exceptions noted above, no other part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2006 – All rights reserved
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 12637-1 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 130, Graphic technology.
ISO 12637 consists of the following parts, under the general title Graphic technology — Vocabulary:
Part 1: Fundamental terms
Part 5: Screen printing terms
The following parts are under preparation:
Part 2: Prepress terms
Part 3: Printing terms
Part 4: Postpress terms
Introduction
Documentation gives rise to numerous international exchanges of both intellectual and material nature. These
exchanges often become difficult, either because of the great variety of terms used in various fields or
languages to express the same concept, or because of the absence of, or the imprecision of, useful concepts.
To avoid misunderstandings due to this situation and to facilitate such exchanges, it is advisable to select
terms to be used in various languages or in various countries to express the same concept, and to establish
definitions providing satisfactory equivalents for the various terms in different languages.
The purpose of this part of ISO 12637 is to provide definitions in English that are rigorous, uncomplicated and
which can be understood by all concerned. The scope of each concept defined has been chosen to provide a
definition that is suitable for general application within graphic technology. Graphic technology includes the
processes of design through the final printed product. In those circumstances, where a restricted application is
concerned, the definition may need to be more specific. Additional definitions are included where necessary to
exemplify the terms shown in Figure 1.
The intention of this part of ISO 12637 is to define fundamental terminology due to the enormous changes
brought about by digital processes/methods within the graphic field.
Present technology is addressed to traditional printing systems and processes while the model proposed in
the following pages contemplates the peculiarities of the new technologies as well.
Graphic technology has been divided into three workflow stages: prepress, printing and postpress.
In prepress, analog and digital technologies begin with original design concepts and end up with the
preparation of image carriers that can be validated by proofing.
The distinction between reprographic and printed copies of original images, based mainly on qualitative
criteria, has been substituted by the presumption that all graphic original reproduction methods can be
considered printing processes.
With a view to creating a structure that can include all present graphic systems and processes/methods and
adapt itself to the needs of future technologies, without becoming rapidly obsolete, ISO 12637 separated
printing systems into three groups according to the techniques employed in each and every one and
established parameters so as to determine the relationships of the various processes/methods to their
respective systems.
The first group, called “forme-based printing technology”, includes the so called traditional or conventional
processes/methods that use inked formes to reproduce original images onto substrates.
The second group, called “formeless printing technology”, dispenses with those specific image carriers and
uses ink-jet, thermal-transfer and electrographic systems to reproduce original images onto substrates.
The third group, named “inkless printing technology”, does away with image carriers and printing inks and
employs specially prepared substrates and chemical or physical reactions produced by various ways of
applied energy to reproduce original images on their surface.
In the postpress stage of this part of ISO 12637, finishing is considered a technology, whose systems are
responsible for the general surface properties of blank and printed substrates and their definite sizes.
Converting is viewed as a technology whose systems are capable of transforming the purely physical form of
blank and printed substrates into consumer products.
The fundamental terms deal specifically with the workflow stages of graphic technology and its final product,
hard-copy printed matter. Digital processes/methods and virtual images are considered only as intermediate
by-products.
iv © ISO 2006 – All rights reserved
Figure 1 — Structure of fundamental terms
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 12637-1:2006(E)
Graphic technology — Vocabulary —
Part 1:
Fundamental terms
Scope
This part of ISO 12637 defines a set of fundamental terms that can be used in the drafting of other
International Standards for graphic technology. In order to facilitate their translation into other languages, the
definitions are worded so as to avoid, where possible, any peculiarity attached to one language. The entries in
this part of ISO 12637 are arranged alphabetically.
Terms and definitions
analog technology
representation, transmission and reproduction of visual data in unbroken succession, such as in
continuous-tone art, films and photographic images
NOTE In common practice, analog processes (sometimes called conventional processes) are differentiated from digital
methods, as their original images are computed and written only once to produce reuseable physical carriers in
forme-based printing technology.
assembly
〈analog〉 prepress process used to join photographic negatives or positives of individual image elements into
film flats following layout and imposition directives to reproduce images in forme-based printing technology
assembly
〈digital〉 prepress process used to place all original texts and illustrative material in their proper position
according to layout directives, within a digital page file to reproduce images by forme-based, formeless, and
inkless printing technologies
computer to electronic media
process in which computers store original image data for reproduction onto any kind of substrate
computer to forme
process in which computers interface with printing formes to reproduce original images onto substrates
computer to image carrier
process in which computers interface with image carriers to reproduce original images onto substrates
computer to substrate
process in which computers interface with substrates to reproduce original images onto their surfaces
continuous ink-jet printing
formeless process using high-frequency vibrations to break up a stream of liquid ink into electrostatically
charged droplets deflected and positioned by electric fields controlled by digital data, to reproduce images
directly onto a substrate
converting
technology using systems including die-cutting, gluing, binding and other methods, to create consumer
products other than plain blank or printed substrates
design concept
prepress process used to convert a visual message addressed to a target audience into an original, following
briefing directives and the requirements of graphic production
diazo printing
inkless photochemical process using substrates, coated with non-silver light sensitive compounds, and
exposed by ultraviolet illumination through transparencies of image areas, that are developed either by heat or
by ammonia vapours
digital technology
representation, transmission and reproduction of visual data in discrete steps, such as in half-tone art, films
and photographic images
NOTE In common practice, digital processes are differentiated from analog methods as the number of times their
original images are computed and rewritten is identical with the number of their printed copies, reproduced in
forme-based, formeless, and inkless technologies.
direct printing
image transfer from an image carrier to a substrate
distributing
technology using systems used to label, wrap and transfer printed products to their destination, employing
on-line or off-line processes
drop-on-demand printing
formeless process using mechanisms controlled by digital data, to expel only the ink droplets required to
reproduce image areas onto a substrate
elcographic printing
formeless process that uses an electrolytic mechanism controlled by digital data, to coagulate polymeric inks
and develop original images on a cylinder that transfers them onto substrates by cold pressure
electrochemical printing
system using chemical reactions induced by electrical energy controlled by digital data, to reproduce images
from digital data onto specially coated substrates using processes such as spark discharge printing
electronic engraving
process that uses optical or mechanical means to generate image and non-image areas onto relief or recess
printing formes
2 © ISO 2006 – All rights reserved
electrophotographic printing
formeless process using photoconductive, electrostatically charged image carriers where the latent image
(based on either analog or digital data) is created by exposure, made visible by the use of electrophotographic
ink, transferred and fused onto a substrate
electrostatic printing
system employing electrostatically charged image carriers or specially coated substrates to reproduce images
in latent form made visible by the use of electrographic ink using processes such as electrophotographic, ion
deposition or magnetographic printing
file transmission
information transfer using various methods to move digital data between locations
finishing
technology using systems including cutting, trimming, embossing and other methods to create, enhance and
preserve tactile and visual surface qualities of blank and printed substrates and to determine their form and
dimensions
flexographic printing
forme-based process/method using flexible relief formes where the raised inked areas reproduce images onto
a substrate with either high or low viscosity solvent-based or water-based inks
forme
physical image carrie
...
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 12637-1
First edition
2006-02-01
Graphic technology — Vocabulary —
Part 1:
Fundamental terms
Technologie graphique — Vocabulaire —
Partie 1: Termes fondamentaux
Reference number
©
ISO 2006
PDF disclaimer
This PDF file may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, this file may be printed or viewed but
shall not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading this file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create this PDF file can be found in the General Info relative to the file; the PDF-creation
parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the file is suitable for use by ISO member bodies. In
the unlikely event that a problem relating to it is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the address given below.
© ISO 2006
The reproduction of the terms and definitions contained in this International Standard is permitted in teaching manuals, instruction
booklets, technical publications and journals for strictly educational or implementation purposes. The conditions for such reproduction are:
that no modifications are made to the terms and definitions; that such reproduction is not permitted for dictionaries or similar publications
offered for sale; and that this International Standard is referenced as the source document.
With the sole exceptions noted above, no other part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2006 – All rights reserved
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 12637-1 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 130, Graphic technology.
ISO 12637 consists of the following parts, under the general title Graphic technology — Vocabulary:
Part 1: Fundamental terms
Part 5: Screen printing terms
The following parts are under preparation:
Part 2: Prepress terms
Part 3: Printing terms
Part 4: Postpress terms
Introduction
Documentation gives rise to numerous international exchanges of both intellectual and material nature. These
exchanges often become difficult, either because of the great variety of terms used in various fields or
languages to express the same concept, or because of the absence of, or the imprecision of, useful concepts.
To avoid misunderstandings due to this situation and to facilitate such exchanges, it is advisable to select
terms to be used in various languages or in various countries to express the same concept, and to establish
definitions providing satisfactory equivalents for the various terms in different languages.
The purpose of this part of ISO 12637 is to provide definitions in English that are rigorous, uncomplicated and
which can be understood by all concerned. The scope of each concept defined has been chosen to provide a
definition that is suitable for general application within graphic technology. Graphic technology includes the
processes of design through the final printed product. In those circumstances, where a restricted application is
concerned, the definition may need to be more specific. Additional definitions are included where necessary to
exemplify the terms shown in Figure 1.
The intention of this part of ISO 12637 is to define fundamental terminology due to the enormous changes
brought about by digital processes/methods within the graphic field.
Present technology is addressed to traditional printing systems and processes while the model proposed in
the following pages contemplates the peculiarities of the new technologies as well.
Graphic technology has been divided into three workflow stages: prepress, printing and postpress.
In prepress, analog and digital technologies begin with original design concepts and end up with the
preparation of image carriers that can be validated by proofing.
The distinction between reprographic and printed copies of original images, based mainly on qualitative
criteria, has been substituted by the presumption that all graphic original reproduction methods can be
considered printing processes.
With a view to creating a structure that can include all present graphic systems and processes/methods and
adapt itself to the needs of future technologies, without becoming rapidly obsolete, ISO 12637 separated
printing systems into three groups according to the techniques employed in each and every one and
established parameters so as to determine the relationships of the various processes/methods to their
respective systems.
The first group, called “forme-based printing technology”, includes the so called traditional or conventional
processes/methods that use inked formes to reproduce original images onto substrates.
The second group, called “formeless printing technology”, dispenses with those specific image carriers and
uses ink-jet, thermal-transfer and electrographic systems to reproduce original images onto substrates.
The third group, named “inkless printing technology”, does away with image carriers and printing inks and
employs specially prepared substrates and chemical or physical reactions produced by various ways of
applied energy to reproduce original images on their surface.
In the postpress stage of this part of ISO 12637, finishing is considered a technology, whose systems are
responsible for the general surface properties of blank and printed substrates and their definite sizes.
Converting is viewed as a technology whose systems are capable of transforming the purely physical form of
blank and printed substrates into consumer products.
The fundamental terms deal specifically with the workflow stages of graphic technology and its final product,
hard-copy printed matter. Digital processes/methods and virtual images are considered only as intermediate
by-products.
iv © ISO 2006 – All rights reserved
Figure 1 — Structure of fundamental terms
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 12637-1:2006(E)
Graphic technology — Vocabulary —
Part 1:
Fundamental terms
Scope
This part of ISO 12637 defines a set of fundamental terms that can be used in the drafting of other
International Standards for graphic technology. In order to facilitate their translation into other languages, the
definitions are worded so as to avoid, where possible, any peculiarity attached to one language. The entries in
this part of ISO 12637 are arranged alphabetically.
Terms and definitions
analog technology
representation, transmission and reproduction of visual data in unbroken succession, such as in
continuous-tone art, films and photographic images
NOTE In common practice, analog processes (sometimes called conventional processes) are differentiated from digital
methods, as their original images are computed and written only once to produce reuseable physical carriers in
forme-based printing technology.
assembly
〈analog〉 prepress process used to join photographic negatives or positives of individual image elements into
film flats following layout and imposition directives to reproduce images in forme-based printing technology
assembly
〈digital〉 prepress process used to place all original texts and illustrative material in their proper position
according to layout directives, within a digital page file to reproduce images by forme-based, formeless, and
inkless printing technologies
computer to electronic media
process in which computers store original image data for reproduction onto any kind of substrate
computer to forme
process in which computers interface with printing formes to reproduce original images onto substrates
computer to image carrier
process in which computers interface with image carriers to reproduce original images onto substrates
computer to substrate
process in which computers interface with substrates to reproduce original images onto their surfaces
continuous ink-jet printing
formeless process using high-frequency vibrations to break up a stream of liquid ink into electrostatically
charged droplets deflected and positioned by electric fields controlled by digital data, to reproduce images
directly onto a substrate
converting
technology using systems including die-cutting, gluing, binding and other methods, to create consumer
products other than plain blank or printed substrates
design concept
prepress process used to convert a visual message addressed to a target audience into an original, following
briefing directives and the requirements of graphic production
diazo printing
inkless photochemical process using substrates, coated with non-silver light sensitive compounds, and
exposed by ultraviolet illumination through transparencies of image areas, that are developed either by heat or
by ammonia vapours
digital technology
representation, transmission and reproduction of visual data in discrete steps, such as in half-tone art, films
and photographic images
NOTE In common practice, digital processes are differentiated from analog methods as the number of times their
original images are computed and rewritten is identical with the number of their printed copies, reproduced in
forme-based, formeless, and inkless technologies.
direct printing
image transfer from an image carrier to a substrate
distributing
technology using systems used to label, wrap and transfer printed products to their destination, employing
on-line or off-line processes
drop-on-demand printing
formeless process using mechanisms controlled by digital data, to expel only the ink droplets required to
reproduce image areas onto a substrate
elcographic printing
formeless process that uses an electrolytic mechanism controlled by digital data, to coagulate polymeric inks
and develop original images on a cylinder that transfers them onto substrates by cold pressure
electrochemical printing
system using chemical reactions induced by electrical energy controlled by digital data, to reproduce images
from digital data onto specially coated substrates using processes such as spark discharge printing
electronic engraving
process that uses optical or mechanical means to generate image and non-image areas onto relief or recess
printing formes
2 © ISO 2006 – All rights reserved
electrophotographic printing
formeless process using photoconductive, electrostatically charged image carriers where the latent image
(based on either analog or digital data) is created by exposure, made visible by the use of electrophotographic
ink, transferred and fused onto a substrate
electrostatic printing
system employing electrostatically charged image carriers or specially coated substrates to reproduce images
in latent form made visible by the use of electrographic ink using processes such as electrophotographic, ion
deposition or magnetographic printing
file transmission
information transfer using various methods to move digital data between locations
finishing
technology using systems including cutting, trimming, embossing and other methods to create, enhance and
preserve tactile and visual surface qualities of blank and printed substrates and to determine their form and
dimensions
flexographic printing
forme-based process/method using flexible relief formes where the raised inked areas reproduce images onto
a substrate with either high or low viscosity solvent-based or water-based inks
forme
physical image carrier of a forme-based printing process, capable of reproducing only the image areas of the
original to which it was initially exposed
NOTE Examples of formes are gravure image cylinders, lithographic plates and screen stencils.
forme-based printing
technology employed in the reproduction of originals whose inked images are transferred directly or indirectly
from formes onto a substrate using relief, planographic, recess or permeographic systems
formeless printing
technology employed in the reproduction of originals whose inked images are transferred directly, or indirectly
onto a substrate without the necessity of printing formes using systems, such as ink-jet, thermal-transfer and
electrostatic printing
forme making
prepress workflow stage for the production of printing formes specific to each printing process, nature of
original images to be reproduced, type of presses, ink properties and substrate quality as well as pressrun
lengths
NOTE Forme imaging can b
...
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 12637-1
First edition
2006-02-01
Graphic technology — Vocabulary —
Part 1:
Fundamental terms
Technologie graphique — Vocabulaire —
Partie 1: Termes fondamentaux
Reference number
©
ISO 2006
PDF disclaimer
This PDF file may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, this file may be printed or viewed but
shall not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading this file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create this PDF file can be found in the General Info relative to the file; the PDF-creation
parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the file is suitable for use by ISO member bodies. In
the unlikely event that a problem relating to it is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the address given below.
© ISO 2006
The reproduction of the terms and definitions contained in this International Standard is permitted in teaching manuals, instruction
booklets, technical publications and journals for strictly educational or implementation purposes. The conditions for such reproduction are:
that no modifications are made to the terms and definitions; that such reproduction is not permitted for dictionaries or similar publications
offered for sale; and that this International Standard is referenced as the source document.
With the sole exceptions noted above, no other part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2006 – All rights reserved
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 12637-1 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 130, Graphic technology.
ISO 12637 consists of the following parts, under the general title Graphic technology — Vocabulary:
Part 1: Fundamental terms
Part 5: Screen printing terms
The following parts are under preparation:
Part 2: Prepress terms
Part 3: Printing terms
Part 4: Postpress terms
Introduction
Documentation gives rise to numerous international exchanges of both intellectual and material nature. These
exchanges often become difficult, either because of the great variety of terms used in various fields or
languages to express the same concept, or because of the absence of, or the imprecision of, useful concepts.
To avoid misunderstandings due to this situation and to facilitate such exchanges, it is advisable to select
terms to be used in various languages or in various countries to express the same concept, and to establish
definitions providing satisfactory equivalents for the various terms in different languages.
The purpose of this part of ISO 12637 is to provide definitions in English that are rigorous, uncomplicated and
which can be understood by all concerned. The scope of each concept defined has been chosen to provide a
definition that is suitable for general application within graphic technology. Graphic technology includes the
processes of design through the final printed product. In those circumstances, where a restricted application is
concerned, the definition may need to be more specific. Additional definitions are included where necessary to
exemplify the terms shown in Figure 1.
The intention of this part of ISO 12637 is to define fundamental terminology due to the enormous changes
brought about by digital processes/methods within the graphic field.
Present technology is addressed to traditional printing systems and processes while the model proposed in
the following pages contemplates the peculiarities of the new technologies as well.
Graphic technology has been divided into three workflow stages: prepress, printing and postpress.
In prepress, analog and digital technologies begin with original design concepts and end up with the
preparation of image carriers that can be validated by proofing.
The distinction between reprographic and printed copies of original images, based mainly on qualitative
criteria, has been substituted by the presumption that all graphic original reproduction methods can be
considered printing processes.
With a view to creating a structure that can include all present graphic systems and processes/methods and
adapt itself to the needs of future technologies, without becoming rapidly obsolete, ISO 12637 separated
printing systems into three groups according to the techniques employed in each and every one and
established parameters so as to determine the relationships of the various processes/methods to their
respective systems.
The first group, called “forme-based printing technology”, includes the so called traditional or conventional
processes/methods that use inked formes to reproduce original images onto substrates.
The second group, called “formeless printing technology”, dispenses with those specific image carriers and
uses ink-jet, thermal-transfer and electrographic systems to reproduce original images onto substrates.
The third group, named “inkless printing technology”, does away with image carriers and printing inks and
employs specially prepared substrates and chemical or physical reactions produced by various ways of
applied energy to reproduce original images on their surface.
In the postpress stage of this part of ISO 12637, finishing is considered a technology, whose systems are
responsible for the general surface properties of blank and printed substrates and their definite sizes.
Converting is viewed as a technology whose systems are capable of transforming the purely physical form of
blank and printed substrates into consumer products.
The fundamental terms deal specifically with the workflow stages of graphic technology and its final product,
hard-copy printed matter. Digital processes/methods and virtual images are considered only as intermediate
by-products.
iv © ISO 2006 – All rights reserved
Figure 1 — Structure of fundamental terms
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 12637-1:2006(E)
Graphic technology — Vocabulary —
Part 1:
Fundamental terms
Scope
This part of ISO 12637 defines a set of fundamental terms that can be used in the drafting of other
International Standards for graphic technology. In order to facilitate their translation into other languages, the
definitions are worded so as to avoid, where possible, any peculiarity attached to one language. The entries in
this part of ISO 12637 are arranged alphabetically.
Terms and definitions
analog technology
representation, transmission and reproduction of visual data in unbroken succession, such as in
continuous-tone art, films and photographic images
NOTE In common practice, analog processes (sometimes called conventional processes) are differentiated from digital
methods, as their original images are computed and written only once to produce reuseable physical carriers in
forme-based printing technology.
assembly
〈analog〉 prepress process used to join photographic negatives or positives of individual image elements into
film flats following layout and imposition directives to reproduce images in forme-based printing technology
assembly
〈digital〉 prepress process used to place all original texts and illustrative material in their proper position
according to layout directives, within a digital page file to reproduce images by forme-based, formeless, and
inkless printing technologies
computer to electronic media
process in which computers store original image data for reproduction onto any kind of substrate
computer to forme
process in which computers interface with printing formes to reproduce original images onto substrates
computer to image carrier
process in which computers interface with image carriers to reproduce original images onto substrates
computer to substrate
process in which computers interface with substrates to reproduce original images onto their surfaces
continuous ink-jet printing
formeless process using high-frequency vibrations to break up a stream of liquid ink into electrostatically
charged droplets deflected and positioned by electric fields controlled by digital data, to reproduce images
directly onto a substrate
converting
technology using systems including die-cutting, gluing, binding and other methods, to create consumer
products other than plain blank or printed substrates
design concept
prepress process used to convert a visual message addressed to a target audience into an original, following
briefing directives and the requirements of graphic production
diazo printing
inkless photochemical process using substrates, coated with non-silver light sensitive compounds, and
exposed by ultraviolet illumination through transparencies of image areas, that are developed either by heat or
by ammonia vapours
digital technology
representation, transmission and reproduction of visual data in discrete steps, such as in half-tone art, films
and photographic images
NOTE In common practice, digital processes are differentiated from analog methods as the number of times their
original images are computed and rewritten is identical with the number of their printed copies, reproduced in
forme-based, formeless, and inkless technologies.
direct printing
image transfer from an image carrier to a substrate
distributing
technology using systems used to label, wrap and transfer printed products to their destination, employing
on-line or off-line processes
drop-on-demand printing
formeless process using mechanisms controlled by digital data, to expel only the ink droplets required to
reproduce image areas onto a substrate
elcographic printing
formeless process that uses an electrolytic mechanism controlled by digital data, to coagulate polymeric inks
and develop original images on a cylinder that transfers them onto substrates by cold pressure
electrochemical printing
system using chemical reactions induced by electrical energy controlled by digital data, to reproduce images
from digital data onto specially coated substrates using processes such as spark discharge printing
electronic engraving
process that uses optical or mechanical means to generate image and non-image areas onto relief or recess
printing formes
2 © ISO 2006 – All rights reserved
electrophotographic printing
formeless process using photoconductive, electrostatically charged image carriers where the latent image
(based on either analog or digital data) is created by exposure, made visible by the use of electrophotographic
ink, transferred and fused onto a substrate
electrostatic printing
system employing electrostatically charged image carriers or specially coated substrates to reproduce images
in latent form made visible by the use of electrographic ink using processes such as electrophotographic, ion
deposition or magnetographic printing
file transmission
information transfer using various methods to move digital data between locations
finishing
technology using systems including cutting, trimming, embossing and other methods to create, enhance and
preserve tactile and visual surface qualities of blank and printed substrates and to determine their form and
dimensions
flexographic printing
forme-based process/method using flexible relief formes where the raised inked areas reproduce images onto
a substrate with either high or low viscosity solvent-based or water-based inks
forme
physical image carrier of a forme-based printing process, capable of reproducing only the image areas of the
original to which it was initially exposed
NOTE Examples of formes are gravure image cylinders, lithographic plates and screen stencils.
forme-based printing
technology employed in the reproduction of originals whose inked images are transferred directly or indirectly
from formes onto a substrate using relief, planographic, recess or permeographic systems
formeless printing
technology employed in the reproduction of originals whose inked images are transferred directly, or indirectly
onto a substrate without the necessity of printing formes using systems, such as ink-jet, thermal-transfer and
electrostatic printing
forme making
prepress workflow stage for the production of printing formes specific to each printing process, nature of
original images to be reproduced, type of presses, ink properties and substrate quality as well as pressrun
lengths
NOTE Forme imaging can b
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