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Common Printing Acronyms Every Customer Should Know

CYMK

When you work with a commercial printer, you may hear acronyms that sound unfamiliar. Understanding a few of these terms can make communication smoother and ensure your project turns out exactly as you want.

Here are some of the most common acronyms used in printing:

  • CMYK – Stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). These four inks are used in process printing.

  • RGB – Red, Green, and Blue. This color model is used for screens. Files should be converted to CMYK before printing.

  • PMS – Pantone Matching System, a standardized system for consistent colors.

  • DPI – Dots Per Inch, a measurement of image resolution. 300 DPI is standard for high-quality print.

  • PDF – Portable Document Format, the most common file type used for sending print-ready artwork.

  • EPS – Encapsulated PostScript, a file format often used for vector graphics and logos.

  • JPEG – A compressed image file format; fine for photos but not ideal for logos or text.

  • TIFF – Tagged Image File Format, often used for high-resolution images.

  • AI – Adobe Illustrator, a program used to create vector artwork.

  • PSD – Adobe Photoshop Document, used for layered image files.

  • FTP – File Transfer Protocol, a way to send large print files securely.

Why It Helps to Know These

When you understand acronyms like CMYK, DPI, or PDF, it speeds up communication with your printer, ensures you provide the right file types the first time, and helps avoid mistakes that can affect print quality. The more familiar you are with these terms, the smoother your printing projects will run.

Ready to put this knowledge into action? Contact AV Graphics for a full range of printing and packaging services.

TipsRichard JacobsPrint, Printing Acronyms, DPI, PDF, Print File, CMYK