Print, signage & laser terms — explained.
28 industry terms in plain English. Bookmark for reference when comparing quotes or briefing designers.
ACP
Aluminum Composite Panel — a lightweight structural panel of aluminum skins on a polyethylene core, used for shopfront fascias and building wraps. Comes in 3mm or 4mm thickness.
Backlit
Sign or graphic illuminated from behind, creating a soft glow on the wall behind the letters. Also called halo-lit. More premium feel than frontlit.
Bleed
An extra 3mm of background extending past the trim line on print files, to prevent white edges if the cutter shifts slightly.
CMYK
Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black (Key) — the four-ink color system used in printing. Convert all artwork from RGB to CMYK before sending to print.
Channel letters
3D letter signs with hollow constructed sides (returns) and an acrylic or open face. Used for corporate facades and large-scale signage.
Die-cut
Custom-shaped cut for stickers, packaging, or paper products — cut into shapes other than rectangles.
DPI
Dots Per Inch — image resolution. Print files need 300 DPI at final size. Lower than 300 DPI may print pixelated.
Eyelet
Metal-rimmed hole punched into a banner edge, used to hang banners with rope or wire.
Embossing
Raised image on paper, made by pressing a die into the back of the sheet. Creates a 3D tactile effect.
Flex / Panaflex
Flexible PVC banner material used for hoardings, banners, and signs. 'Panaflex' is technically a brand name, used generically in Pakistan.
Foil stamping
Hot-pressing metallic foil (gold, silver, copper, rose gold) onto paper for a luxe finish.
Frontlit
Sign illuminated from inside, with light shining through the letter face. Brighter and reads from further than backlit.
GSM
Grams per Square Meter — paper weight. 100 GSM = letterhead, 130 GSM = flyer, 300 GSM = business card, 400+ GSM = luxury card.
Halo lighting
Backlit signage where light shines from behind onto the wall, creating a soft halo around each letter.
Lamination
A protective film applied over a printed piece — matte (no shine), gloss (high shine), soft-touch (velvety), or spot UV (selective gloss).
Letterpress
Premium printing technique that presses inked plates into thick paper, creating a deep tactile impression.
LED neon flex
Flexible silicone tube with embedded LEDs that mimic the look of glass neon. Safer, brighter, more durable than real glass neon.
Mesh flex
Perforated flex banner that lets wind through — used for tall building wraps to reduce wind load.
Offset printing
Printing technique using metal plates and rubber blankets to transfer ink to paper. Premium quality, very cost-effective at 500+ copies.
One-way vision
Perforated vinyl that displays a print on the outside while remaining see-through from the inside. Used on shop windows and bus stops.
Pantone
Standardized ink color system (PMS) used to match brand colors precisely across different materials and print runs.
Pillar / pylon sign
Tall freestanding sign — 8 ft to 30+ ft — used for plazas, fuel stations, and multi-tenant buildings.
Press proof
A sample print run on the actual material to verify color and quality before the full production run.
RGB
Red, Green, Blue — the three-light color system used by screens. Always convert RGB to CMYK before printing.
SMD screen
Surface-Mount Device LED video wall — high-resolution digital display for outdoor and indoor advertising. Pixel pitches range from P1.8 to P10.
Spot UV
Glossy varnish applied to selected areas of a printed piece (logo, headline) for emphasis, while the rest stays matte.
Sublimation
Printing technique that uses heat to transfer ink onto polyester fabric or coated mugs/items, producing vibrant, permanent colors.
Vinyl
Self-adhesive material that sticks to glass, walls, vehicles, or floors. Used for stickers, vehicle wraps, frosted glass, and one-way vision.
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