Glossary

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OCR

Optical Character Recognition. An information processing technology dealing with the conversion of imprinted or written data to another language and medium.

OD

Outside Diameter. Outside diameter of a cylinder, roll of labels, paper or roller of any kind.

OEM

Original Equipment Manufacturer. One who produces a component or components used in the making of a finished assembled product.

OFF-CUT

That part of the trim width (of paper in roll or sheet form), that is not utilised. Usually a narrow roll which is left over because the customer placed an order which does not utilise the full master roll width.

OFF-LINE

Refers to devices that operate independently of a large central processing unit.

OFFSET - Often called SET-OFF

A defect characterised by the partial transference of ink from a freshly printed surface to an adjacent surface, as that of another sheet, film or the backing paper (liner) in a roll. Also accidental transfer of ink from the idler or other rollers in a press to the web.

OFFSET PAPER

A paper designed for use on presses with general characteristics to resist distortion from stretching or shrinking, freedom from ‘fuzz’ and a smooth surface which will take ink evenly without ‘set-off’ during the offset printing process.

OFFSET POWDER

A fine mist of powder sprayed between two sheets of stock during the press run to prevent the moist ink of one sheet from ‘setting-off or off-setting’ onto the back of the succeeding sheet. Also used as a slip additive to assist stacking in sheet format.

OFFSET PRINTING

A process of indirect printing in which an impression of a type or a design on a plate is printed on a rubber blanketed cylinder from which it is impressed onto the surface of the substrate. ie. Offset upon the surface to be decorated or printed.

OFFSETTING

Describes the unwanted transfer of ink from one printed surface to another surface.

OLEFINS

A group of unsaturated hydrocarbons of the general formula CnH2n, and named after the corresponding paraffins by the addition of ‘...ene’ or ‘...ylene’ to the stem. E.g. Ethylene and Propylene.

OLEO RESINS

Semi-solid mixtures of the resin and essential oil of the plant from which they exude, and sometimes referred to as balsams. Oleoresinous materials also consist of products of drying oils and natural or synthetic resins.

OLIGOMER

A chemical compound whose molecules consist of a group of linked monomers. This is a compound intermediate in size between the single monomer unit and the huge polymer molecule.

ON-LINE

An operation in which peripheral devices are connected directly to the computer central processor. Also a term to describe whether enhancements to printed matter will be produced ‘on-line’ or ‘off-line’.

ONE COMPONENT ADHESIVE

A pressure sensitive adhesive in which all of the necessary properties are derived from a single uniquely designed synthetic polymer. Refer LM specification sheet.

OOZE

Adhesive moving out of ends of rolls or stacks of sheets causing ends to feel sticky and possibly causing material to block. Adhesive cold flow.

OPACIMETER

The instrument with which the degree of opacity may be measured.

OPACITY

The measure of the amount of light that can pass through a material. The hiding property of an ink film; property of film allowing printed material to show through in varying degrees. Refer NS & LM specification sheets.

OPAQUE

Not transmitting light. Not transparent or translucent.

OPAQUE INK

An ink that is not transparent and reflects only its colour regardless of what colours it overprints.

OPERATING RANGE

The sum of a scanner’s optical throw and depth of field.

OPERATING SIDE

That side of a label press on which the printing unit adjustments are located. Opposite drive side or gear side.

OPP

Oriented polypropylene.

OPTICAL

Relates to the utilisation of light. Sometimes involves the use of light sensitive devices to acquire information. ie. Scanners etc.

OPTICAL CHARACTER READER

An information processing device that accepts and processes machine or hand written characters.

OPTICAL THROW

The distance from the face of the code reader or scanner to the beginning of the depth of field.

OPTICITE FILM

Trademark of a label film supplied by Dow Chemical (polystyrene type).

ORANGE PEEL - See MOTTLE

Rough coating causing an ‘orange peel’ appearance. See ‘Mottle’.

ORIENTATION

The alignment of the crystalline structure in polymeric materials so as to produce a highly uniform structure. Can be accomplished by cold drawing or stretching during fabrication. Also the alignment of bars and spaces to a scanner.

ORIGINAL

The material that is required to be reproduced in the printing process. Usually a photograph, transparency, art, artist’s drawing or merchandise sample.

OTHER - Recycle code > 7

Includes all other resins and multi materials. eg; Polyamide, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene - ABS, Acrylic, Nylon, Polyurethane- PU and Phenolics. Refer LM specification sheets.

is used to designate recycling code. ‘7 or Other’ is used for; mixed or otherwise not classified plastics. Refer NS & LM specification sheets for adhesives, etc.

OUTTURN SAMPLES

Paper samples which are sent the customer as representative of the paper which will be shipped. Refer LM specification sheets.

OVER-LAMINATING

Application of a clear film to a labelstock for the purpose of protection or to enhance graphic quality. Usually done in-line on the press.

OVERLAP - WRAP AROUND

In applying a label around a bottle or container, one end extends over the other and adheres to itself.

OVERLAY

In artwork, a transparent film or tissue over copy on which colour breaks, instructions or corrections are indicated. Also, transparent prints which, when combined or overlaid in register, form a composite picture. Refer NS.

OVER-RUN

Production manufactured in excess of the specified order quantity. (Accepted printing industry standard is +/- 10%). Refer NS.

OVERS - See OVER-RUN

OXIDATION

The chemical reaction involving the process of combining with oxygen to form an oxide. The deterioration of an adhesive film due to atmospheric exposure. The breakdown of a hot melt adhesive due to prolonged heating and oxide formation. Refer LM specification sheets.