Glossary of Industry Terms
AAP (Association of American Publishers)
An organization representing the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States. For more information visit https://publishers.org/
Acid-Free
Acid-free paper is manufactured without acidic substances, preventing degradation and yellowing over time. Its benefits include longevity, making it ideal for archival documents, photographs, and artwork. Acid-free paper is also more environmentally friendly, as it often contains fewer harmful chemicals, ensuring safer storage of important materials.
Acidity
The amount of Acid found in a given paper measured by its pH level in a scale from 1 to 14, with a neutral level being 7.
ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
A neutral, non-profit organization administering and coordinating the U.S. voluntary standards and conformity assessment systems.
Antique
A general term that means the material is supplied without an additional embossing
Aqueous Coatings
Coatings that are formulated with a water carrier, meaning when the coating dries, only water vapor is emitted. The alternative to this is a solvent-based coating, which contains harmful chemicals
Archival
Paper that resists deterioration due to being made using an alkaline paper-making process. With such a high alkaline reserve, the paper can keep its original color and texture for centuries. All archival paper is acid and lignin-free.
ASTM F963
The Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety, a comprehensive standard addressing numerous hazards that have been identified with toys. Compliance requires no harmful chemicals on their list to be in products.
Base Color
The color of the base material. These are strategically chosen for optimum usage of the final, completed material.
Base Composition
A base material is the primary substance used in product construction, providing structural integrity and foundational properties for the final item. Ecological Fibers’ products typically fall into the following categories of base materials: Paper, Saturated Paper, Paper Board, Cloth, Leather, and PU.
Bindery Materials
Materials used to produce hard and soft cover books. We offer construction grades like reinforcing strips used for bookcases before any cover or spine material is applied. We do not handle text paper, adhesives, printing, or foils.
Biodegradable
Organic substances decay naturally without causing harm by bacteria or other living organisms.
Blind Stamping
Blind stamping paper is a printing technique that uses a heated metal die to create a raised or indented design without ink. This elegant method adds texture and sophistication to book covers or stationery.
BMI (Book Manufacturer’s Institute)
The only graphic arts association that focuses on the book manufacturing market. The members of BMI have provided leadership, council, and direction to companies who make up the book manufacturing supply chain for over 85 years. For more information visit https://www.bmibook.com/
CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act)
Passed in the US in 2008, imposing testing requirements and new acceptable levels for several substances common in consumer products. For more information visit https://www.cpsc.gov
COLOR SYSTEMS
- RGB (RED, GREEN, & BLUE)
How colors are electronically displayed on monitors and screens. RGB output is completely determined by the display that they are on, and thus colors can vary on different monitors, and should be used as reference only when it comes to physical design. - CMYK
Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (black) -These four inks make up the majority of color printing in the world. Often referred to as 4-color, these colors have limitations and cannot reproduce certain bright hues due to the color combinations of these four inks. CMYK printing can also produce inconsistencies based on the printer and ink used. - LAB
CIELAB color space, or LAB for short, is a method of using a three-dimensional space to determine a precise color. LAB coordinates record the color by referencing perceptual lightness matched with the 4 unique colors of human vision: red, green, blue, and yellow. LAB color theory is used to get the most accurate data possible
Color Matching
Ecological Fibers uses elaborate in-house tools and processes to match our clients color samples with our coatings and paper. This is done by considering the hue, gloss level, and luminescent qualities of the sample as seen in multiple lighting situations including natural, warm and cool fluorescent lighting, and more. This assures that no matter where you are looking at our products, the color is a perfect match.
Compostable
Products that are biodegradable, specifically intended for a composting environment. They break down and release carbon dioxide, water, and other substances in approximately 90 days leaving behind a nutrient-rich organic material called humus. Humus creates a healthy soil environment for new plant growth.
Dyed-Through Kraft
Homogeneous paper is produced by dying the fibers during the manufacturing process. This results in paper that maintains its color throughout the entire sheet. The alternative to printed sheets, which leave the edges and non-printed areas of the paper their original color (ugly, white edges).
Embossing
Textures are pressed into the material using a roll-to-roll embosser that runs the product through engraved, metal rolls that are highly pressurized. This produces a repeating pattern on the materials. Embossing patterns are limited to the width of the embossing roll and are repeatable. Custom patterns can be ordered, but take some time to complete due to the production of the rolls.
EN71-3
EN 71-3 is a European Union (EU) standard that limits the amount of harmful chemicals that can migrate from toys into children. It’s legally required for all toys/Children’s Books sold in the EU.
Endleaf
Also known as endpapers, are the sheets of paper found at the beginning and end of a book. They are the pages that are glued to the inside covers and serve multiple functions. Endleaves help secure the book block to the cover, provide a smooth transition between the cover and the text pages, and can also add to the book’s aesthetic appeal. In some cases, they may contain printed designs or information, enhancing the overall look and feel of the book while adding structural stability.
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency, is a U.S. federal agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment. In the paper market, the EPA regulates emissions, waste management, and water quality associated with paper production and processing. They enforce standards for pollution control, promote sustainable practices, and encourage recycling initiatives to minimize environmental impact and promote responsible resource use. Additionally, the EPA provides guidelines and incentives for manufacturers to adopt cleaner technologies and reduce their carbon footprint. For more information visit www.epa.gov
Finishing
A general term for how we modify the base material (composition) to create our product lines. These modifications include color coatings, top coatings, embossings, and printed patterns.
Foil Stamping
Foil stamping paper is a printing technique that applies metallic or pigmented foil onto a surface using heat and pressure. This creates a shiny, eye-catching design, enhancing visual appeal for packaging or stationery.
FSC® Certified
Ensures that products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. The FSC® principles and criteria provide a foundation for all forest management standards globally, including the FSC® US National Standard (v1.0) that guides forest management certification in the U.S.
Grain Direction
The direction of the fibers in the paper. An easy way to visualize grain direction is imaging the paper coming out of a mill like a river, the way the water moves is similar to how the grains of fibers move in paper. Grain Direction is incredibly important when considering where folds and scoring will be placed.
- Grain Long
A term used to designate that the grain of the paper is parallel to the longest measurement of a sheet of paper. The fibers are aligned parallel to the length of the sheet. - Grain Short
The Opposite of grain long. The grain of the paper runs at the right angles to the longest dimension of the sheet. Fiber alignment in grain short paper parallels the sheet’s shortest dimension.
Grammage (GSM)
Paper grammage refers to the weight of paper measured in grams per square meter (g/m² or GSM). It indicates the density and thickness of the paper, affecting its feel, opacity, and suitability for various printing or writing tasks. Higher grammage typically means thicker, more durable paper, suitable for tasks like business cards or covers, while lower grammage is often used for standard printing or stationery. Understanding grammage helps consumers choose the right paper for their specific needs.
Gravure
A printing process in which the image area is etched below the surface of the printing roll and is transferred directly to the paper by means of pressure. The pattern is repeated seamlessly as the paper rolls move through the printer
ISO 8124-3
ISO 8124-3 is an international standard that specifies safety requirements for toys concerning the migration of certain elements, ensuring that children’s products are safe from hazardous substances and elements.For more information visit https://www.iso.org/standard/72600.html
Laminating
Paper that is fused to one or more sheets of paper together to create a combined sheet that meets the desired thickness and quality that the client desires.
Lignin
An organic substance in plants that makes cell walls strong and rigid. When left in paper made from wood pulp, the paper becomes acidic due to the lignin chemically degrading and
over time brittles and browns.
MSST (Manufacturing Standards and Specifications for Textbooks)
Created to establish physical standards of quality for elementary and high school textbooks, which typically have a lengthy shelf life. Material requirements include paper, binding, and both soft and hard cover standards. For more information visit https://www.bmibook.com/msst
NASTA (National Association of State Textbook Administrators)
The State Instructional Materials Review Association (formerly the National Association of State Textbook Administrators) is dedicated to the process of a thorough and ongoing review of curriculum materials, ensuring that they are aligned to core standards, accessible to all students, and demonstrate highquality in both physical characteristics and pedagogical design.
Pantone (PMS)
Pantone colors are standardized hues defined by the Pantone Matching System (PMS). This system ensures consistency in color reproduction across various materials and industries, commonly used in graphic design, fashion, and printing. For more information, visit https://www.pantone.com/
PCW (Post-Consumer Waste)
A product that has been purchased and used by a consumer, disposed of, and diverted from landfills through recycling processes.
PFAS
Pper- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of man-made chemicals known for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. Commonly found in various consumer products, they pose environmental and health risks due to their persistence and potential toxicity. They are also known as “Forever Chemicals”
Plastic
Plastic is a synthetic material made from polymers, derived from petrochemicals or natural resources. It is lightweight, durable, and versatile, used in countless products. However, its non-biodegradable nature raises environmental concerns regarding pollution and waste management worldwide.
- PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyls)
A group of man-made organic chemicals consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and chlorine atoms. PCB Plastics have no known taste or smell, and range in consistency from an oil to a waxy solid. - PVB (Polyvinyl Butyral)
A clear, colorless, amorphous thermoplastic obtained by the condensation reaction of polyvinyl alcohol and butyraldehyde. The resin is known for its excellent flexibility, film-forming, adhesion properties, and UV resistance. PVB Plastic is non-toxic, and some grades have received food contact approval. - PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a widely used synthetic plastic polymer. It is durable, resistant to moisture and chemicals, and commonly utilized in construction, plumbing, electrical insulation, and various consumer products.
Plastic-Free Coatings
Ecological Fibers defines Plastic Free coatings as coatings that contain zero petroleum-based products and 100% organic compounds in its formula.
Ream
Five hundred sheets of printing paper.
Recycled
The process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products.
Recyclable
A product which contains materials that can be easily sorted and recycled. A product that is considered non-recyclable can either contain materials that cannot be reused, or combine recyclable materials in a way that does not allow them to be reused again.
Repulpable
Paper material that can be broken down in water through the pulping process of creating new paper. This occurs in paper mills, as opposed to recycling which occurs in recycling centers.
RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)
A register of restricted materials that are hazardous to the environment, pollute landfills, and are dangerous in terms of occupational exposure during manufacturing and recycling. For more information visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RoHS
Silk Screen Printing
Silk Screen printing, or screen printing, is a printing technique that uses a mesh screen to transfer ink onto various surfaces, allowing for vibrant colors and intricate designs on textiles, paper, and other materials. Inks in Silkscreen usually bond well to substrates and are more opaque in nature
TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act)
Provides the EPA authority to require reporting, record-keeping, testing requirements, and restrictions relating to chemical substances and/or mixtures. For more information, visit https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-toxic-substances-control-act