A Terms
Aqueous Coating (AQ)
A fast-drying, water-based protective clear coat applied over printed paperboard sheets on press to enhance gloss, satin, or matte appearance while protecting against scuffs and fingerprints.
B Terms
Bleed
The portion of artwork that extends slightly beyond the outer trim line of a dieline. This ensures that no unprinted white borders appear at the edges after cutting during production.
C Terms
C1S / C2S
Coated One Side (C1S) or Coated Two Sides (C2S). Refers to paperboard treated on one or both surfaces with clay coating to maximize ink holdout and print sharpness.
CMYK
Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). The standard four-color process printing model utilized for full-color custom box production.
D Terms
Dieline
A flattened 2D vector template that maps out all cutting lines, folding scores, perforations, and glue flaps required to manufacture a specific 3D box structure.
E Terms
E-Flute Corrugated
A thin, highly crush-resistant corrugated flute profile (approx. 1/16 inch thick) that combines structural mailer strength with smooth printability.
F Terms
Foil Stamping
A specialized finishing technique using heated metal dies to press metallic, holographic, or pigmented foil films onto paperboard surfaces.
G Terms
GSM (Grams per Square Meter)
The metric measurement of paper or paperboard weight and density. Higher GSM ratings denote thicker, more rigid packaging materials.
K Terms
Kraft Paper / Stock
A durable, unbleached brown wood-pulp stock valued for its natural texture, high tear resistance, and eco-friendly brand appeal.
L Terms
Lamination
Applying a thin, protective plastic film (available in matte or gloss finishes) thermally bonded over printed paperboard to enhance durability and moisture resistance.
M Terms
Matte Finish
A smooth, non-reflective lamination coating that diffuses light, giving custom packaging an elegant, soft-touch aesthetic.
P Terms
Pantone Matching System (PMS)
A standardized color reproduction system that uses specific color formulas to ensure exact, consistent brand color matching across all print runs.
R Terms
RGB Color Mode
Red, Green, Blue. The additive color model used for electronic displays and digital screens. Files must be converted to CMYK for accurate press printing.
S Terms
Scoring
An indented crease pressed into paperboard during manufacturing to enable clean, accurate folding without fracturing the card stock.
Spot UV
A high-gloss clear varnish applied selectively over specific artwork areas to contrast sharply against a matte laminated backdrop.
T Terms
Tuck End
A standard folding carton closure style featuring flap extensions that fold and lock securely into the top or bottom opening.
U Terms
Uncoated Stock
Paperboard without a clay coating. It absorbs inks more deeply, yielding a porous, organic, and tactile finish.
V Terms
Vector Artwork
Scalable graphic files created using mathematical paths (.AI, .PDF, .EPS) rather than pixels, ensuring infinite scaling without resolution loss.