Resources
Abrasion is the loss of material from a surface caused by friction or repeated contact with another surface. In material, paper, and packaging applications, abrasion commonly occurs during handling, converting, or transport. This phenomenon can affect surface appearance, durability, and overall performance of the final product.
Abrasion is the loss of material from a surface caused by friction or repeated contact with another surface. In material, paper, and packaging applications, abrasion commonly occurs during handling, converting, or transport. This phenomenon can affect surface appearance, durability, and overall performance of the final product.
Abrasion resistance refers to a material’s ability to withstand surface wear, scratching, or rubbing without visible damage. In paper and packaging applications, it is a critical property during printing, converting, and end use. Higher abrasion resistance helps maintain surface quality, print integrity, and product durability.
Absorbency is the ability of a material to take up and retain liquids or moisture within its structure. In paper, coatings, and porous materials, absorbency influences ink behavior, adhesion, and drying performance. This property plays an important role in material selection and end-use functionality.
Accelerated aging is a testing method in which materials are exposed to controlled environmental conditions to simulate the effects of long-term aging in a shorter time. It is commonly used to evaluate durability, stability, and performance changes in pressure-sensitive materials and other industrial products.
An accordion fold is a folding method in which each fold is made in the opposite direction of the previous one, creating a pleated structure. This folding technique is commonly used in paper and printed materials to allow compact storage while enabling easy expansion and readability.
Acetate is a transparent sheet material placed over original artwork or printed layouts to add instructions, markings, or color indications. In graphic and printing applications, it allows designers and production teams to communicate adjustments without altering the original material.
Acid-free paper is manufactured without acidic or acid-forming chemicals, resulting in improved stability over time. This type of paper resists yellowing and degradation, making it suitable for archival, printing, and applications where long-term durability and preservation are required.
Acrylic is a synthetic polymer known for its excellent aging, stability, and performance characteristics. In industrial applications, acrylic materials can be formulated for use as adhesives, coatings, or saturants, depending on their composition and intended functional properties.
An acrylic adhesive is a pressure-sensitive, viscoelastic formulation based on acrylic polymers, often modified with tackifying additives. These adhesives are widely used due to their versatility, strong adhesion, and resistance to aging, and can be engineered to achieve a wide range of performance properties.
Additive color is produced by light falling onto a surface, combining the primary colors red, green, and blue. In imaging, television, and computer displays, additive color determines the visual perception of all colors. Proper understanding of additive color is essential in design, display calibration, and color reproduction processes.
Adhesion failure occurs when two materials separate at their interface rather than within one material. In industrial, packaging, and tape applications, adhesion failure can compromise product performance and durability. Identifying and preventing adhesion failure ensures reliability and quality in end-use applications.
Adhesion to self measures the force required to remove a tape from its own backing after being reapplied. This property is critical for pressure-sensitive tapes and labels to ensure proper handling and storage without compromising performance.
Adhesion is the bond formed between a pressure-sensitive adhesive and a substrate, influenced by surface energy and adhesive composition. The strength and durability of adhesion are key factors in tape, label, and packaging applications, affecting product reliability and long-term performance.
An adhesive is a material used to bond two or more objects solely through surface contact. Industrial adhesives include acrylic, rubber-based, silicone, urethane, heat-activated, and specialty formulations, each designed for specific applications such as coatings, tapes, or binding processes.
Adhesive binding is a thread-free method of securing loose leaves into a solid text block. Commonly used in bookbinding, manuals, and publications, this method ensures durable assembly while maintaining flexibility and professional appearance.
Adhesive bleed occurs when adhesive oozes or spreads beyond the intended area of a pressure-sensitive material. In printing, labeling, or industrial applications, controlling adhesive bleed is essential to maintain surface quality, alignment, and aesthetic integrity.
Adhesive residue refers to adhesive remaining on a substrate after removal of a self-adhesive material. Excess residue can affect subsequent coatings, printing, or surface performance, making residue control critical in industrial, packaging, and labeling applications.
Adhesive tapes are materials coated with pressure-sensitive adhesives on substrates such as polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, foils, fabrics, or medical-grade materials. They are engineered for diverse applications including packaging, medical, industrial, and graphic uses, offering specific adhesion, durability, and performance properties.
Adhesive transfer occurs when adhesive moves from its normal position on a tape to the substrate during unwind or removal. This can create tacky areas and affect product performance. Controlling adhesive transfer is essential in pressure-sensitive applications, packaging, and industrial processes to maintain surface quality and reliability.
Adhesive transfer tape is an unsupported pressure-sensitive tape consisting of adhesive and release liners. It is used in sealing, graphic attachment, and splicing applications. The tape’s adhesive formulation and release liner design ensure controlled bonding, precise placement, and strong performance in industrial and commercial uses.
Additive colors are produced by combining different colors of light, primarily red, green, and blue. This process allows creation of all visible colors and is fundamental in displays, screens, and imaging devices. Understanding additive colors is critical for color reproduction, display calibration, and visual design applications.
Aging is the irreversible change in material properties over time due to environmental exposure. It can occur naturally or be accelerated through testing. Monitoring aging is critical in packaging, adhesives, and industrial materials to predict performance, durability, and product lifespan under real-world conditions.
Alignment refers to the positioning of elements relative to a reference line, either horizontal or vertical. Proper alignment ensures consistent layout, readability, and professional appearance in printing, design, and graphic applications. Misalignment can affect visual quality and user perception.
An altar fold, also known as gatefold or window fold, is a folding technique where a sheet forms two flaps that open from either side. This method is commonly used in brochures, invitations, and packaging to create visual impact while allowing compact storage and easy expansion.
Alteration refers to any change requested by a customer after artwork or copy has been submitted to a printer or service bureau. Changes can involve text, specifications, or design elements. Managing alterations is critical to ensure production accuracy, quality control, and customer satisfaction.
An anodized plate is a lithographic printing plate treated with an aluminum oxide barrier. This barrier prevents chemical breakdown during press operation, ensuring optimal performance, durability, and consistent image quality in lithography and printing processes.
Application temperature refers to the range at which adhesive tapes or coatings can be effectively applied. Maintaining proper application temperature ensures optimal adhesion, bond strength, and performance, particularly in industrial, packaging, and pressure-sensitive adhesive applications.
An apron is the white margin area around text or illustrations that forms part of a foldout. It is commonly used in printing, brochures, and foldout materials to maintain layout integrity, prevent interference with fold lines, and enhance overall visual presentation.
Aqua tint is a printing process that uses recessed areas of a plate to produce graded and even tones. Commonly applied in fine art, illustrations, and specialty printing, aqua tint allows precise tonal control and smooth transitions in printed images.
Aqueous coating is a clear, water-based finish applied to printed materials to protect surfaces and enhance appearance. It improves durability, resists dirt and fingerprints, and provides a high-gloss finish for postcards, brochures, catalogs, and business cards while maintaining visual quality.
An aerometer, also known as a hydrometer or spindle, measures the density of liquids, often used in printing to determine alcohol concentration in water-based process solutions. Accurate measurements ensure consistent ink performance, drying, and overall print quality.
Artwork refers to the original materials, including photos, graphics, text, or digital files, used to prepare a printed piece. Proper artwork preparation is essential for accurate reproduction, quality control, and smooth production across all printing and copying processes.
An assembled view shows a drawing or illustration in its completed or whole format. This perspective helps designers, printers, and production teams verify layout, alignment, and overall visual composition before final production or printing.
Autochrome paper is a high-quality coated paper designed for multi-colored printing applications. Its surface allows accurate color reproduction, sharp image detail, and excellent print stability, making it suitable for premium printing projects.
Backing, or carrier, is a thin, flexible material such as film, paper, cloth, or metal foil to which adhesive is applied. The choice of backing influences tape performance, flexibility, and application, and it is critical in industrial, packaging, and pressure-sensitive adhesive products.
A barcode is a machine-readable code of narrow and wide, dark and light stripes that represent numbers or letters. Commonly used for product identification, inventory management, and logistics, barcodes ensure accurate tracking, labeling, and automated data processing in retail and industrial applications.
Bi-directional refers to strapping tapes with reinforcing filaments running both lengthwise and crosswise, typically woven. This construction enhances strength, stability, and durability, making the tape suitable for securing heavy loads, packaging, and applications requiring multidirectional support.
Bleeding occurs when a coloring liquid, such as paint or ink, penetrates through tape onto the surface beneath. Controlling bleeding is critical in masking, painting, and printing applications to ensure clean edges, accurate colors, and high-quality finishes.
A blemish is a mark, deformity, or defect that impairs the appearance of a material or product. Identifying and preventing blemishes is important in printing, packaging, and product manufacturing to maintain aesthetic quality and customer satisfaction.
Blind embossing is a paper processing stage in the print process where male and female dies are used to generate an impression in the paper under high pressure. Embossing with raised motifs is known as high embossing and embossing with sunken motifs as deep embossing. There are also multi-stage embossing procedures where the motif has different levels, and relief embossing which creates a spatial effect with three-dimensional profiles. High embossing can also be simulated by applying and melting special powder materials.
Book printing refers to the production of books and brochures that primarily contain text, with minimal imagery. This printing method emphasizes readability, consistent typography, and durable binding suitable for educational, commercial, or literary publications.
Bond describes the union of materials using adhesives, often strengthened by vulcanization or other processes. Proper bonding ensures material integrity, durability, and functional performance in packaging, industrial components, and adhesive-based assemblies.
Bonding tapes are double-sided pressure-sensitive tapes designed to join mating surfaces, ranging from permanent to repositionable. They are used with metal, wood, foam, paper, and film substrates, with adhesives including acrylic, rubber, or conductive types, providing versatile bonding solutions.
Bulky paper is a thick, soft, and elastic stock, also known as thick printing paper. It provides added volume, texture, and durability, making it suitable for premium brochures, publications, and specialty printing projects requiring a substantial feel.
A 3M trademark name for self-adhering urethane rubber shapes that reduce slipping, mute noise, and absorb impact. Designed for indoor use only, they protect surfaces, prevent damage, and improve safety in industrial, office, and equipment applications.
A carrier is the web stock or backing material that supports a pressure-sensitive adhesive. It is commonly used in double-coated or double-faced tape constructions. The carrier provides dimensional stability, handling ease, and influences the mechanical and application performance of the adhesive system.
Cellulose wrapping paper is a paper stock composed of at least 65% primary pulp, such as sulfite or groundwood pulp, and up to 30% wastepaper. It is commonly used for wrapping and packaging applications where flexibility, printability, and cost efficiency are required.
Chemical resistance refers to the ability of a pressure-sensitive material to withstand chemical exposure without degrading. This property is critical in industrial, medical, and automotive applications where adhesives or tapes may encounter solvents, oils, or cleaning agents.
Closed cell describes a flexible cellular material whose individual cells are sealed and non-interconnecting. This structure provides resistance to moisture absorption, improved insulation properties, and enhanced durability, making closed-cell materials ideal for sealing, cushioning, and insulation applications.
Coated paper is treated with a surface layer of pigments, binders, and additives to improve gloss, whiteness, and printability. Coatings can range from high-gloss to matte finishes. This paper type is widely used in offset, gravure, and commercial printing for superior image quality.
A coating is a layer of material applied to a surface to enhance appearance, protection, or performance. In printing and converting, coatings improve durability, print quality, resistance to wear, and visual characteristics such as gloss or texture.
Color density describes the optical density of printed color areas and is used to monitor print quality and consistency. Measured with densitometers, color density allows comparison of ink strength within the same hue and is essential for color control in printing processes.
Color depth, also known as bit depth, refers to the number of bits used to represent the color information of a single pixel. Higher color depth enables more accurate color representation, smoother gradients, and improved image quality in digital graphics and printing workflows.
Color management is the process of controlling color reproduction throughout a digital production workflow. By using device-specific color profiles, it ensures consistent color appearance from scanners and monitors to printing presses, even when different color spaces are involved.
A color profile defines how a device such as a scanner, monitor, printer, or press reproduces color relative to a device-independent color space like CIELAB. Accurate profiles are essential for reliable color management and are often created using specialized measuring instruments.
A color proof is a preliminary print used to verify color accuracy before final production. It offers a cost-effective alternative to press proofs and relies on a properly calibrated color management system that accounts for the press, inks, and paper used.
A compound is a mixture of polymers and additional ingredients formulated to create a usable material. Compounds are engineered to achieve specific physical, chemical, or mechanical properties for adhesives, coatings, and industrial applications.
Conductive describes a material’s ability to transmit heat or electricity. Conductive materials are commonly used in electronics, shielding, grounding, and thermal management applications where efficient energy transfer is required.
Conformability is the ability of a tape or material to adapt closely to curved, rough, or irregular surfaces without creasing or lifting. High conformability ensures consistent contact, improved adhesion, and reliable performance on complex shapes.
A converter, or fabricator, processes raw materials into intermediate or finished products using equipment such as printing presses, coating, laminating, and slitting machines. Converters play a key role in transforming material webs into functional commercial products.
A co-polymer is a polymer formed by chemically combining two different monomers. This structure allows manufacturers to tailor material properties such as flexibility, strength, adhesion, or resistance to environmental factors.
Copper foil tapes use conductive metal foils such as copper, aluminum, brass, or stainless steel. They provide electrical and thermal conductivity and are widely used in electronics, medical devices, construction, transportation, and EMI/RFI shielding applications.
Corona treatment is a surface modification process that uses high-voltage electrical discharge to increase surface energy. It improves ink, adhesive, and coating adhesion on low-energy materials such as polyethylene and polypropylene films.
Cut refers to the distance between successive cuts or parallel faces of items produced by repetitive slicing, such as rods, tubes, or lathe-cut components. Accurate cutting is essential for dimensional consistency in manufacturing processes.
Cuts indicate the number of individual rolls slit from a master roll. This measurement is commonly used in converting and slitting operations to define production output and material yield.
Delamination is the separation of a backing into two or more distinct layers. It can also refer to separation between multiple laminated backings or between reinforcing filaments and the backing of filament-reinforced tapes, negatively affecting structural integrity and adhesive performance.
Density is a material’s mass per unit volume. In films and tapes, density influences coverage, weight, and performance. Lower-density materials can provide greater coverage per unit weight, which is important for efficiency, cost control, and application-specific requirements.
A die is a precision metal tool, often circular with inner and outer cutting edges, used to form or shape materials through processes such as extrusion, cutting, or stamping. Dies are essential in manufacturing for producing consistent, repeatable component shapes.
Die-cutting is a manufacturing process used to cut specific shapes, patterns, or designs from pressure-sensitive tapes and other materials. Custom-made dies allow precise, repeatable cutting for labels, gaskets, mounting solutions, and specialized adhesive products.
Dielectric strength measures an insulating material’s ability to resist electrical breakdown under voltage stress. Expressed in volts per mil of thickness, it indicates the maximum voltage a material can withstand before failure, making it critical for electrical and electronic applications.
Differential adhesive refers to double-sided tapes where each side exhibits a different level of adhesion. This design allows controlled bonding, repositioning, or clean removal on one surface while maintaining strong adhesion on the other.
Digital printing transfers image data directly from a computer to the printing surface without the use of plates or film. It enables fast turnaround, cost-effective short runs, personalization, and print-on-demand, making it ideal for variable data and customized printing applications.
Dimensional stability describes a tape or material’s ability to maintain its size and shape under varying conditions such as temperature changes, humidity, or mechanical stress. High dimensional stability ensures consistent performance and accurate alignment over time.
Double coated tape features adhesive applied to both sides of a carrier material. Also known as double sided or double faced tape, it is designed to bond two surfaces together while remaining hidden within the assembly.
Double coated foam tapes are designed for bonding rough or irregular surfaces. They help fill gaps, absorb stress, redistribute weight, and provide sealing. These tapes are suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications where flexibility and durability are required.
Double coated tape is a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape with a film or cloth carrier coated on both sides using acrylic, rubber, or silicone adhesives. It offers strength, stability, and support for mounting, bonding, and joining applications in a wide range of environments.
Durability refers to the likelihood that a product will continue to perform at expected levels throughout its useful life without requiring repair or replacement due to wear. High durability is essential for long-term reliability and customer satisfaction.
A durometer is an instrument used to measure the hardness of materials, particularly elastomers and cellular materials. The Shore 00 scale is commonly used to measure the softness or hardness of sponge and foam-based products.
Effect coating refers to specialized coatings used in printing to create visual, tactile, or sensory effects. These pigmented coatings vary in particle size and shape and can produce textures, reliefs, or special finishes such as scratch-and-sniff effects, enhancing the visual and functional impact of printed materials.
Elasticity is the property of a material that allows it to return to its original shape after deformation. This characteristic is essential in tapes, adhesives, and polymers that must withstand stretching, compression, or bending without permanent damage.
An elastomer is an elastic polymeric material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, that exhibits resilience and shape memory. Elastomers can undergo significant deformation and still recover their original form, making them ideal for sealing, cushioning, and flexible bonding applications.
Electrical strength is the voltage at which electrical breakdown occurs in a tape or insulating material under specified test conditions. It is calculated by dividing the breakdown voltage by the distance between electrodes and is critical for electrical insulation performance.
Electrical tapes are constructed from substrates such as glass cloth, polyester, polyimide, or vinyl combined with adhesive layers. They are used for insulation, bonding, marking, color coding, protection, thermal management, and electrical shielding in industrial and electrical applications.
Elongation at break measures how much a tape or material stretches lengthwise before breaking. Expressed as a percentage of its original length, this property indicates flexibility and tensile performance under stress or load.
EMI/RFI shielding tapes are designed to block or absorb electromagnetic and radio frequency interference. Typically made from copper or aluminum foils or elastomeric laminates, they are used for grounding, static discharge control, shielding, cushioning, and mechanical protection.
Extrusion is a manufacturing process in which material is forced under pressure through a die opening to create a specific cross-sectional shape. This process is widely used to produce films, profiles, tubes, and adhesive components with consistent dimensions.
Effect coating refers to specialized coatings used in printing to create visual, tactile, or sensory effects. These pigmented coatings vary in particle size and shape and can produce textures, reliefs, or special finishes such as scratch-and-sniff effects, enhancing the visual and functional impact of printed materials.
Face material, also called face stock, is the paper, film, fabric, laminate, or foil bonded to the adhesive layer in a pressure-sensitive construction. It becomes the functional surface of the tape or label and directly influences durability, printability, and application performance.
A filler is a chemically inert, finely divided material added to an elastomer formulation. Fillers improve processing efficiency and enhance physical properties such as strength, hardness, stability, and cost efficiency in rubber and adhesive compounds.
Film tapes are made from substrates such as polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyimide coated with acrylic, rubber, or silicone adhesives. They are commonly used for masking, splicing, insulation, and surface protection in industrial and electronic applications.
Film is a uniform, non-fibrous synthetic plastic web with a thickness of less than 10 mils (0.010 inches). Films are widely used in packaging, laminating, printing, and adhesive constructions due to their consistency and versatility.
Flame resistance describes a tape’s ability to withstand exposure to flame. Flame-retardant or self-extinguishing materials may burn when exposed but stop burning once the flame is removed, unlike fireproof materials, which do not burn at all.
Flexible refers to a tape’s ability to bend and conform easily during application without cracking or lifting. Flexibility is especially important for low-temperature applications and for bonding curved or irregular surfaces.
Flexographic printing is a fast letterpress printing process using photopolymer or rubber plates and low-viscosity inks. It allows printing on a wide range of substrates and is widely used in packaging, labels, and multi-color newspaper production.
Fluorocarbon films are high-performance materials with exceptional temperature resistance, excellent electrical properties, and very low surface energy. A common example is PTFE (Teflon®), which provides a non-stick, chemically resistant, and low-friction surface.
Foam tapes use substrates such as polyethylene, polyurethane, neoprene, or vinyl combined with adhesive layers. They are designed to bond uneven surfaces, absorb stress, seal gaps, and provide cushioning in applications such as glazing and structural bonding.
Foam is a soft, cushioning material created by forming gas bubbles within natural or synthetic rubber or other elastomeric materials. It provides shock absorption, sealing, insulation, and vibration damping in a wide range of industrial applications.
Foils such as aluminum, copper, brass, lead, and stainless steel are electrically and thermally conductive materials. They are widely used in electronics, medical devices, transportation, construction, and shielding applications.
In bookbinding, a fold is a sharp bend in paper used to create pages or reduce format size. Folding is performed using specialized machines and can be done as right-angle folds or parallel folds, depending on the layout and binding requirements.
Friction is the resistance to motion that occurs when two surfaces come into contact. In materials and adhesive applications, friction influences handling, wear, slip resistance, and overall performance.
A gasket is a sealing device used to retain fluids under pressure or to prevent the ingress of dust, dirt, or other foreign matter. The term generally refers to a static seal used between two non-moving surfaces.
Gasketing tapes are made from materials such as natural or synthetic rubber, thermoplastic rubber, silicone rubber, films, plastics, vinyl, woven or non-woven fabrics, cork/rubber, chipboard, and UL or flame-retardant materials. Common materials and brand examples include Neoprene, EPDM, Buna-N, PORON®, Nomex®, Lexan®, Mylar®, and Kapton®. These tapes are used for sealing, cushioning, and vibration damping.
Ghosting is a printing defect that occurs in indirect printing processes such as offset printing. It appears as double or multiple contours in screen dots, leading to increased tonal value and dot gain. Ghosting is caused by slight misregistration during printing, often due to paper instability or press-related fluctuations, and is more common in multi-color printing.
Gloss refers to the light reflection characteristics of a tape backing or surface. It is commonly described using terms such as high gloss, low gloss, satin, or matte, and influences both appearance and functional performance.
Grain long and grain short describe the direction of paper fibers relative to the sheet dimensions. Grain long indicates fibers running parallel to the length of the sheet, while grain short indicates fibers running parallel to the width. Grain direction affects folding behavior, strength, and print performance.
Green strength refers to the uncured adhesion or cohesive strength between plied or spliced surfaces before full curing or crosslinking has occurred. It is important for handling, converting, and processing materials prior to final cure.
Shore A hardness is a measure of material hardness using a Shore A durometer. Higher values indicate harder materials (e.g., 30 Shore A indicates a soft material, while 90 Shore A indicates a hard material).
Heat-activated materials consist of a heat-activated film laminated to a pressure-sensitive adhesive and supplied on a silicone-coated release liner. They are commonly used for bonding, sound damping, and non-slip applications.
Heat resistance is the ability of a tape or material to withstand physical or chemical changes when exposed to elevated temperatures under specified conditions.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a polyethylene resin or film derived from petroleum, with a density ranging from approximately 0.940 to 0.965 g/cm³. It is a hard, relatively opaque plastic that can withstand higher temperatures and carries an SPI resin identification code of 2.
High-speed unwind refers to the ability to unwind or dispense tape at relatively high speeds, typically exceeding 50 feet per minute, without tearing, stretching, or adhesive transfer.
Holding power, also known as shear adhesion, is the ability of a tape to resist static forces applied parallel to the backing. It is usually expressed as the time required for a specified weight to cause a given length of tape to release from a vertical surface.
Hot melt pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to a backing in a molten state and cools to form a conventional pressure-sensitive adhesive with immediate tack.
Hydrocolloid adhesives are complex polymeric systems that combine adhesive and absorbent properties, making them particularly suitable for wound care and medical applications.
Hydrolysis is the chemical decomposition of a substance caused by reaction with water, which can lead to degradation of certain polymers or adhesives.
Shore A hardness is a measure of material hardness using a Shore A durometer. Higher values indicate harder materials (e.g., 30 Shore A indicates a soft material, while 90 Shore A indicates a hard material).
Impact resistance is the ability of a tape to withstand sudden impacts, pulls, or shocks, such as those encountered during handling or transportation.
Industrial tapes encompass a wide range of materials used in manufacturing, including single-coated and double-coated tapes, polyurethane, polyethylene, neoprene, and vinyl foams, surface protection films, metallized films, and aluminum or copper foils. Typical applications include cushioning, vibration damping, sealing, shock absorption, chemical and weather resistance, masking, splicing, insulating, thermal management, decorating, mounting, marking, labeling, and bonding.
Inkjet printing is a printing process in which microscopic droplets of ink are jetted onto a substrate using either piezoelectric or thermal technology. Modern inkjet printers can use multiple colors and hundreds of individual nozzles, achieving print quality comparable to high-end four-color printing, depending on the process.
Insulating tape refers to tape specifically designed for electrical insulation purposes, providing protection against the flow of electrical current.
Insulation resistance is the ability of a tape or its backing to prevent the flow of electrical current across its surface, typically measured under controlled test conditions.
ISO is the abbreviation for the International Organization for Standardization, headquartered in Geneva. ISO develops and harmonizes international standards across most fields of technology, with the exception of electrical technology.
ISO Class 7 is a cleanroom classification that limits airborne particulate contamination based on the number and size of particles permitted per volume of air. It is equivalent to Federal Standard 209E Class 10,000.
ISO Class 8 is a cleanroom classification that defines allowable airborne particulate contamination per volume of air. It is equivalent to Federal Standard 209E Class 100,000.
Job printing refers to small- to medium-volume printing, typically produced for businesses, organizations, or individuals. It excludes large-scale publications such as newspapers, magazines, and books. Historically, one of the earliest examples of job printing is the printing of indulgence letters by the Roman Church in the 15th century.
A job ticket is a digital “job folder” used during the prepress stage of production. It contains all technical and production instructions, including imposition settings, trapping, OPI data, output parameters, as well as printing and finishing specifications.
Kapton® is a registered trademark of DuPont™ for a polyimide film known for its exceptional resistance to extreme temperatures, chemicals, and radiation, as well as its excellent electrical properties and mechanical stability.
Kiss-cutting is a die-cutting process in which only the face material is cut, while the release liner remains intact. The surrounding waste material (matrix) is removed, allowing the individual parts to be easily peeled from the liner.
Kraft paper is a strong paper made from sulfate wood pulp, widely used for packaging and industrial applications due to its high strength and durability.
Pressure-sensitive materials intended for use as labels. They are typically printed, often die-cut, supplied in roll or sheet form with a release liner.
To apply one layer of material over another.
Constructed from multiple thin layers bonded together.
The process of joining several layers of different materials using pressure-sensitive tapes.
The bonding of two or more materials using an adhesive, solvent, or extrusion coating, designed to provide specific protective or functional properties.
An acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
A registered trademark of General Electric for polycarbonate film, known for its strength, clarity, and impact resistance.
A printing plate production method, mainly for letterpress printing, created by etching a plate based on line artwork.
The separation of the release liner from a pressure-sensitive adhesive immediately before application to a substrate.
A polyethylene resin or film derived from petroleum, with a density ranging from approximately 0.910 to 0.940 g/cm³. LDPE is softer and more flexible than HDPE, with lower tensile strength and higher resilience. It has an SPI resin code of 4.
Primarily applicable to film tapes, this refers to a tape’s ability to resist stretching and subsequent shrink-back after application. This property is particularly important for lane marking and hazard marking tapes.
A characteristic where a tape has low initial stick and is designed for easy removal, commonly used in masking applications. Low tack does not necessarily imply low overall adhesion.
The tensile strength measured parallel to the length of the tape, typically corresponding to the machine direction unless otherwise specified.
Paper that gains its surface smoothness and gloss while still on the paper machine through a process known as calendaring. Additional smoothness can be achieved through supercalendering.
A proof produced on a printing press to evaluate the final printed result. It is the most comprehensive quality control tool, providing the most accurate representation of the finished print, especially when produced on the actual paper used for the print run.
The blank spaces between the text area and the edges of a printed page. These include head, foot, side margins, and the gutter. In typography, margin proportions are often defined using ratios rather than fixed dimensions.
Tapes or films used to temporarily protect selected areas of a surface during processes such as painting, coating, or manufacturing. Commonly used across industries including construction, electronics, aerospace, packaging, and medical.
A full-width roll of material that has completed the primary manufacturing process and is typically untrimmed.
An industrial process in which continuous rolls of flat materials (webs) are processed through equipment such as printing, laminating, coating, and slitting machines to produce intermediate or finished products.
An area where tape is used to join two rolls of material together, creating a continuous web for processing.
Adhesives designed for short- or long-term skin contact, formulated to be hypoallergenic and non-sensitizing. Used in medical device manufacturing and applications ranging from bandages to neonatal and diabetic device attachment.
Tapes made from film, foam, woven, or non-woven substrates with skin-safe adhesives such as acrylic, silicone, hydrogel, or hydrocolloid systems, applied on one or both sides.
The tendency of a material to return to its original dimensions after being deformed.
Thin, flexible sheets of metal such as aluminum, copper, or lead, used as tape backings for properties including weather resistance, electrical conductivity, and reflectivity.
A plastic film coated on one side with a very thin layer of metal, typically aluminum.
Extremely small text that becomes legible only under significant magnification. Commonly used as a security feature on banknotes and sensitive documents.
A unit of thickness equal to one thousandth of an inch.
An acrylic adhesive formulation modified to bond to a wider range of surfaces, offering improved resistance to chemicals, solvents, and UV exposure.
A measure of how much water vapor passes through a material over a specified period of time.
The rate at which a tape allows water vapor to pass through a defined area of material.
A material that has not yet been stretched or expanded to its maximum dimensions during processing.
A carrier made from randomly laid or oriented fibers bonded mechanically, chemically, or thermally rather than woven. Non-woven materials offer properties such as absorbency, liquid repellence, softness, strength, stretch, cushioning, resilience, bacterial barrier protection, and sterility.
A condition where tape layers remain aligned with each other but are laterally displaced on the core.
The ability of a material to resist swelling, degradation, or deterioration when exposed to oils.
The ability of a tape or material to block or prevent the transmission of light.
A flexible cellular material with interconnected cells that allow air and moisture to pass through.
The release of volatile components from a material in the form of vapors or gases, typically under heat or vacuum conditions.
A unit designed to protect, contain, and facilitate the handling of products by manual or mechanical means.
Large, isolated distortions or upheavals in the outer layers of a roll of tape.
The process of creating holes in the release liner, typically between kiss-cut parts, to facilitate separation.
The amount of deformation remaining in an elastic material after it has been stretched for a defined time and then released.
The rate at which a liquid or gas passes through a solid material by diffusion under pressure.
Also known as sizing strength, this refers to the force required to pull fibers or particles from the surface of paper during printing. It is a critical property for offset printing applications.
Thin plastic materials such as vinyl, polyethylene, polyester, polyurethane, polyamides, polystyrene, acetates, UHMW, and related polymers, commonly used as films.
Foamed plastic materials including vinyl, polyethylene, polyester, polyether, polyurethane, and polystyrene foams.
A substance added to a material to increase flexibility, workability, and ease of processing.
The tendency of a material to remain permanently deformed after the applied stress is reduced below its yield point.
Also known as nylon, a thermoplastic with high strength, excellent wear and abrasion resistance, good puncture resistance, heat resistance, and low gas permeability.
A high-clarity thermoplastic film combining the versatility of acetate with the durability of polyester. It offers excellent impact resistance, temperature stability, and optical properties, and is easily molded and thermoformed.
A strong, typically transparent film with excellent resistance to moisture, solvents, oils, caustics, and many chemicals.
A durable thermoplastic film with high resistance to moisture, solvents, and oils. Usually transparent, it is also available in metalized finishes and has an SPI resin code of 1.
A thermoplastic produced by polymerizing ethylene gas. It is tough, flexible, and performs well at low temperatures. Polyethylene is commonly used as a film or foam substrate and is available in low-density (LDPE) and high-density (HDPE) forms.
A material formed by chemically bonding many repeating monomer units. Polymers may consist of identical or different units and include copolymers, terpolymers, and high polymers.
A thermoplastic similar to polyethylene but stronger, lighter, and more heat resistant. It has an SPI resin code of 5.
A thermoplastic material that is solid at room temperature but flows when heated above its glass transition temperature. It can be rigid or foamed and is commonly used for containers and protective packaging. SPI resin code of 6.
A closed-cell foam with adhesive on both sides, used for permanent bonding applications as an alternative to mechanical fasteners. Common uses include vibration dampening, sound insulation, gasketing, sealing, mounting, and bonding.
A thermoplastic material produced by polymerizing vinyl chloride. Depending on formulation, PVC can be rigid or flexible.
The presence of small holes or voids within a material.
The maximum length of a product that can be vulcanized or processed at one time in a press.
Adhesives that are permanently tacky at room temperature and bond to surfaces with light pressure only, without activation by heat, water, or solvents. PSAs adhere to materials such as paper, plastic, glass, metal, and wood while remaining removable from smooth surfaces without residue.
Adhesives that are permanently tacky at room temperature and bond to surfaces with light pressure only, without activation by heat, water, or solvents. PSAs adhere to materials such as paper, plastic, glass, metal, and wood while remaining removable from smooth surfaces without residue.
A coating applied to improve the bond between an adhesive and its backing, helping retain adhesive on the backing during tape removal.
The ability of a tape to accept, retain, and resist offset of printed information after printing and rewinding.
Tapes printed with messages such as instructions, branding, or identification. Typically produced using flexographic printing in single or multiple colors on paper, film, foil, foam, or cloth substrates.
A product manufactured using full production equipment, tools, processes, environment, and cycle time to validate performance before full-scale production.
A single print used to verify layout and color before full production. Proofs may be analog or digital, with digital proofs offering lower cost but not fully testing the imaging process.
Tapes designed to protect surfaces from scratching, marring, or UV exposure during processing, transport, or installation, while allowing clean removal without residue.
A fluoropolymer known for exceptional resistance to high temperatures, chemicals, corrosion, and stress cracking. Teflon® is the registered trademark name for PTFE.
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