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B

Backing Up
Printing the reverse of a sheet already printed on the other side.

Basic Size
In the US, each paper category (writing, text, cover) has a specific basic sheet size associated with it. The basic size is used mainly to establish the paper's basis weight and does not necessarily indicated available sheet sizes. Outside of North America, the metric system is used to determine a paper's weight and size.

Basis Weight
The basis weight shows the weight of one ream (500 sheet) of basic size paper in pounds. The combination of the basic sheet size and basis weight determines whether a sheet is a 60-lb. text, 100-lb. cover, etc.

Binding
Various methods of securing folded sections together and/or fastening them to a cover, to form single copies of book.

Blanket
In offset lithography, the rubber sheet clamped to the blanket cylinder that transfers the printed image from the plate to the paper.

Bleed
If the color prints right to the edge of the page, the color area on the artwork needs to run at least 3mm beyond the edge of the document to allow for slight movement in the trimming process. This extra print beyond the trim is known as the bleed.

Boiler Plate
In traditional letterpress, repetitive blocks of type that are picked up and included routinely without recreating them.

Bond
In paper products, a sized finished writing paper of 50gsm or more. Can also be used for printing upon.

Brightness
A paper's brightness is defined by the percentage of light it reflects. Papers with a higher brightness allow colors to stand out, while lower-brightness paper are easier on the eyes for reading or extended viewing.

While white paper has its own brightness, which is measured on a brightmeter machine, known in the US as the (TAPPI) GE scale. European, Asian and other countries use a brightness scale based on the Internationl Organization for Standardization (ISO).

GE and ISO brightness are different because they incorporate two different testing methods. Their measurements differ in the angle and the reflected source of light. The ISO brightness is usually about two units higher than the GE value, so 100 ISO brightness is equivalent to 98 brightness on the GE scale.

Bromide
Black and white photoprint useful for proofing text or single color jobs. In some types of printing bromides can be supplied instead of film.

Blue Line
Photographic proof made from flats for checking accuracy, layout and imposition before plates are made. Also called an Ozalid.

Brass
A die used for blocking or embossing. Traditionally made of metal such as brass, but modern "brasses" can be made of a hard ceramic composite, being much less costly to produce.

Bronzing
An effect produced by dusting wet ink with a metallic powder after printing.