Glossary

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EAN

European Article Numbering system. This is the international standard bar code for retail food packages.

EDGE CURL - See CURL

EDGE GUIDE - See WEB GUIDE

EDGE LIFT

The edge of a label rising from the labelled surface. This condition occurs most frequently on small diameter curved surfaces. Resistance to edge lift is dependent on the bond strength of the adhesive and the flexibility of the facestock.

EDM DIE

Die produced using electronic discharge machining. Dies made with this process will last longer than standard dies. Refer O.

EDP

Electronic Data Processing. Refers to web format, fanfolded and sprocket punched pressure sensitive labels, usually blank, for use on pin-feed dot matrix computer printing equipment. Term is not used for A4 sheets, even though they may be used in conjunction with computers.

ELASTIC MEMORY

A tendency of some materials to attempt to return to their original length after being elongated.

ELECTRONIC PRE-PRESS

CAD - Computer Assisted Designing of new labels from conceptual through to the separated, stepped films required for plate making.

ELECTROSTATIC PRINTING

A method of printing in which the ink is affixed to the web by electrostatic methods.

ELEMENT

A single binary position in a character, also dimensionally, the narrowest width in a character-bar or space.

ELLIPTICAL DOT

Elongated dots which improve gradation of tones particularly in middle tones and vignettes.

ELMENDORF TEST

A standard test for determining the tearing strength of paper. Refer NS.

ELONGATION

The distance a material will stretch lengthwise before breaking, expressed as a percentage of original length. Elongation is not necessarily an indication of conformability. Refer NS.

EMBOSSING

Impressing surface with dies to produce a relief image or texture. Often utilising a set of matched male and female dies to get the desired effect. Can also be combined with hot foil stamping in one (1) action.

EMULSIFICATION

The process of dispersing one liquid in another when the two liquids normally do not mix.

EMULSIFYING AGENT

Substance used to produce an emulsion of two liquids which do not naturally mix.

EMULSION

A type of mixture wherein two or more immiscible (unmixable) materials are held together in a homogeneous mixture by the action of a third agent. The term ‘emulsifying agent’ is applied to the material which is added to hold the emulsion together.

EMULSION SIDE

The side of the photographic film coated with the silver halide emulsion.

ENCAPSULATED INK

Ink encapsulated with a coating giving a free flowing dry system which can be activated by heat or pressure (NCR - No Carbon Required as opposed to Carbon Paper).

ENCAPSULATION

The process of encapsulating or trapping a substance (ie. Fragrance) within a coating so that it can be applied like an ink on a printing press.

ENCODED AREA

The total lineal dimension consumed by all characters of a code pattern including start/stop codes and other relevant data.

END SEAL ???

ENGRAVED ROLLER - See ANILOX ROLLER

Rollers available with various surface finishes such as chrome or ceramic. These transfer rollers have mechanical or laser engraved cells.

ENGRAVING

A general term normally applied to any pattern which has been cut into or incised into a surface by hand, mechanical or etching process.

ENGRAVINGS

Old style zinc printing plates.

ENHANCED SPECTRUM

Ultra Violet energy is normally generated by vaporising mercury in a medium pressure quartz tube which emits a spectrum with specific energy level peaks. Changing the material in the lamp from mercury to another element produces a different (enhanced) spectrum with additional peaks or shifted energy peaks.

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency.

EVAPORATION

The changing from the liquid to the gaseous or vapour state as when the solvent or water leaves the printed ink film.

EXOTHERMIC

A reaction which produces heat as a by product of the reaction process.

EXPOSE

To subject (a sensitive film, plate, etc.) to the action of a light source.

EXTENDERS

Any material added to an ink to reduce its colour strength and/or viscosity.

EYEMARK

A small rectangular printed area usually located near the edge of a web or design, to activate an automatic electronic position regulator for controlling register of the printed design with subsequent equipment or operations.