Stands for Portable Document Format. Created by Adobe Systems in its software program Adobe Acrobat as a universal browser. Files can be downloaded via the web and viewed page by page, provided the user of the computer has installed the necessary plug-in which can be downloaded from Adobe's own web site.
Perfect Bind
A type of binding that glues the edge of sheets to a cover (i.e. paperback book).
Pica
A measurement used in typography for column widths and other space specifications in a page layout. There are 12 points in a pica, and approximately 6 picas to an inch.
Pixel
(picture element): the smallest unit that a device can address. Most often refers to display monitors, a pixel being the smallest spot of phosphor that can be lit up on the screen.
PMS
(Pantone Matching System): a standard color-matching system used by printers and graphic designers for inks, papers, and other materials. A PMS color is a standard color defined by percentage mixtures of different primary inks.
PNG
Stands for Portable Network Graphics format, and is generally pronounced "ping." PNG is used for lossless compression and displaying images on the web. The advantages of PNG is that it supports images with millions of colors and produces background transparency without jagged edges. The disadvantages are that PNG images will not show up on older browsers, and still can be comparatively larger in file size than GIFs
Point
A measurement used in typography for type size, leading, and other space specifications in a page layout. There are 12 points in a pica, and approximately 70 points to an inch.
PostScript®
A page description language developed by Adobe Systems, Inc. to describe an image for printing. It handles both text and graphics. A PostScript file is a purely text-based description of a page.
Prepress
The act of preparing the overall layout of a work before it is printed. Includes proofing document for content, photo resolution, trapping, color separation, etc.
Prepress Proof
A test print run from the actual printing materials. May be done photographically at a reduced charge from the printing film (a "blue line" is one such proof).
Process color separation:
In commercial printing, used for reproduction of color photographs. The various hues are created by superimposition of halftone dots of the process colors: cyan (a greenish blue), magenta (a purplish red), yellow, and black.
Process Colors
In printing, the subtractive primaries; yellow, magenta and cyan, plus black in four-color process printing.
Production
The literal work of transforming a concept into a reality. Taking the required photos, creating illustrations and charts, retouching images, and other aspects of the finished piece. Usually requires the creation of a layout, into which all the other elements are combined.
Proposal/Estimate
A detailed analysis of the cost and components for a design project used to come to an agreement or contract before commencing work.