ISO 12637-4:2008

Graphic technology - Vocabulary - Part 4: Postpress terms

ISO 12637-4:2008 defines a set of postpress terms which may 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.

Technologie graphique — Vocabulaire — Partie 4: Termes de postimpression

Grafična tehnologija - Slovar - 4. del: Izrazi za grafično dodelavo

Ta del ISO 12637 opredeljuje sklop izrazov za grafično dodelavo, 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 07-May-2008
• ICS: 01.040.37 - Image technology (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 37.100.01 - Graphic technology in general
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 130 - Graphic technology
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 130/WG 1 - Terminology
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Start Date: 03-Jul-2024
• Completion Date: 13-Dec-2025
• Ref Project: SIST ISO 12637-4:2010 - Graphic technology - Vocabulary - Part 4: Postpress terms

Overview

ISO 12637-4:2008 is an international standard developed by ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 130 focused on graphic technology vocabulary, specifically defining postpress terms. This part of the ISO 12637 series provides clear, standardized terminology for processes and components used in the postpress stage of printing and binding. The document ensures consistency in language across international specifications, facilitating clear communication and translation across different languages without ambiguity.

The standard covers terms essential for describing finishing, binding, trimming, and protective processes that occur after printing, supporting manufacturers, designers, and technical professionals in the graphic arts and printing industries.

Key Topics

ISO 12637-4:2008 defines critical terms related to postpress operations including, but not limited to:

• Binding methods such as adhesive binding, perfect binding, stitching, and casing-in
• Book components including book block, cover, end paper, fly-leaf, jacket, and cover board
• Finishing processes like coating, gilding, embossing, debossing, foil stamping, varnishing, and laminating
• Cutting and folding operations including trimming, creasing, folding, and die cutting
• Assembly procedures such as gathering, collating, inserting, backlining, and jogging
• Special techniques including shrinkwrapping, milling, gauzing, and notch binding

The standard also defines various machinery and equipment involved, such as adhesive applicators, folders, and air tables, emphasizing the mechanical and chemical aspects of postpress.

Applications

The standardized vocabulary in ISO 12637-4:2008 is invaluable for a range of practical uses in graphic technology and printing workflows:

• Technical documentation and standards development: Serves as a reference when writing technical manuals, instructional materials, and international standards related to graphic technology.
• Printing and binding production management: Helps operators, engineers, and quality managers use consistent terms for postpress activities, enhancing accuracy in specifications and reducing errors.
• Product design and packaging: Facilitates communication between designers and manufacturers regarding finishing options such as lamination, embossing, or foil stamping for books, packaging, and promotional materials.
• Translation and international collaboration: Ensures clear, unambiguous cross-language communication in global supply chains by providing terms worded to avoid language-specific peculiarities.
• Educational resources: Used for training and teaching printing technology and graphic arts students to familiarize them with common postpress terms and procedures.

Related Standards

ISO 12637-4:2008 is part of a comprehensive vocabulary series for graphic technology developed by ISO/TC 130, including:

• ISO 12637-1: Fundamental terms - Basic vocabulary covering all stages of graphic technology.
• ISO 12637-2: Prepress terms - Terminology related to preparing files and materials for printing.
• ISO 12637-3: Printing terms - Definitions focused on printing processes themselves.
• ISO 12637-5: Screen printing terms - Terms specific to screen printing techniques.

These companion parts work together to provide a unified and internationally accepted terminology set for the entire graphic arts workflow from design and prepress through printing and postpress finishing.

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Keywords: ISO 12637-4, graphic technology vocabulary, postpress terms, binding, finishing processes, printing standards, bookbinding terminology, printing industry glossary, laminating, trimming, embossing, foil stamping, postpress finishing, international standards in printing

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 12637-4
First edition
2008-05-15
Graphic technology — Vocabulary —
Part 4:
Postpress terms
Technologie graphique — Vocabulaire —
Partie 4: Termes de postimpression

Reference number
©
ISO 2008
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 2008
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 [e-mail]
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2008 – 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 12637-4 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 2: Prepress terms
— Part 3: Printing terms
— Part 4: Postpress terms
— Part 5: Screen printing 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
ISO 12637 is to provide definitions that are rigorous, uncomplicated and which can be understood by all
concerned.
iv © ISO 2008 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 12637-4:2008(E)

Graphic technology — Vocabulary —
Part 4:
Postpress terms
1 Scope
This part of ISO 12637 defines a set of postpress terms which may 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.
2 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
2.1
adhesive applicator
converting device that applies different kinds of adhesives, using either cold-glue or hot-melt systems, to
create products such as magazines, paperbound books and packaging materials
2.2
adhesive binding
converting process used to join, by gluing individual pages or signatures and covers into a final product
2.3
air table
air-cushion device that supports the weight of the substrates during finishing operations such as cutting and
trimming
2.4
albumin
complex protein used for the preparation of glaze, the gilding substratum for the application of gold leaf on
book edges
2.5
backlining
strengthening of the book block spine with paper or fabric
NOTE See gauzing (2.37).
2.6
base coat
primer
coating applied to paper or other substrates to prepare and improve surface properties for further operations
like printing or coating
2.7
binding
method by which pages of a publication are held together
2.8
binding margin
edge of the signature or page along which the untrimmed book is stitched or glued
2.9
blank dummy
mock-up consisting of the substrate and cover material required for the book
2.10
book
set of blank, written or printed pages bound together in a cover
2.11
book block
part of a book, consisting of a trimmed and stitched or perfect bound untrimmed block of sheets, prior to the
application of the cover
2.12
book case
part of a book, consisting of two cardboard blanks, spine strip a
...

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2010
*UDILþQDWHKQRORJLMD6ORYDUGHO,]UD]L]DJUDILþQRGRGHODYR
Graphic technology - Vocabulary - Part 4: Postpress terms
Technologie graphique - Vocabulaire - Partie 4: Termes de postimpression
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ISO 12637-4:2008
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 12637-4
First edition
2008-05-15
Graphic technology — Vocabulary —
Part 4:
Postpress terms
Technologie graphique — Vocabulaire —
Partie 4: Termes de postimpression

Reference number
©
ISO 2008
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 2008
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 [e-mail]
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2008 – 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 12637-4 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 2: Prepress terms
— Part 3: Printing terms
— Part 4: Postpress terms
— Part 5: Screen printing 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
ISO 12637 is to provide definitions that are rigorous, uncomplicated and which can be understood by all
concerned.
iv © ISO 2008 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 12637-4:2008(E)

Graphic technology — Vocabulary —
Part 4:
Postpress terms
1 Scope
This part of ISO 12637 defines a set of postpress terms which may 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.
2 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
2.1
adhesive applicator
converting device that applies different kinds of adhesives, using either cold-glue or hot-melt systems, to
create products such as magazines, paperbound books and packaging materials
2.2
adhesive binding
converting process used to join, by gluing individual pages or signatures and covers into a final product
2.3
air table
air-cushion device that supports the weight of the substrates during finishing operations such as cutting and
trimming
2.4
albumin
complex protein used for the preparation of glaze, the gilding substratum for the application of gold leaf on
book edges
2.5
backlining
strengthening of the book block spine with paper or fabric
NOTE See gauzing (2.37).
2.6
base coat
primer
coating applied to paper or other substrates to prepare and improve surface properties for further operations
like printing or coating
2.7
binding
method by which pages of a publication are held together
2.8
binding margin
edge of the signature
...