Magazine Printers Key Terms

Any small business considering magazine publication needs to know magazine printers key terms

By Trish Popovitch
Whether you own a magazine printing company or aspire to be a magazine printer on a small scale, knowing standard industry terms is the quickest way to feel a part of the industry. The combination of printing, advertising and publication lingo can appear daunting at first. Take the time with key terms, standard software programs and industry networking sites and magazines for a crash course in magazine printers key terms.

The world of print magazines has grown in recent years with many printers of magazines offering both print and online versions of their product. When learning more about magazine printing language and terms keep in mind the following:

1. Combine an understanding of both printing and advertising terms in your research.

2. Network with other mag printers to learns latest industry lingo.

3. Take time to have an understanding of software, paper and inks used by commercial magazine printers.

 

Pay attention to the basics of the commercial magazine printer industry

Before trying to learn the subtle language of competing magazines, it is important to know the basic terms common in the magazine printing industry. If learning time is limited, focusing on this section of your industry term education is best. A solid foundation in printing and advertising language will best prepare you to dive right in.
Try: MagazinePublisher.com has a list of foundational printing terms relating to the magazine market including both bindery terminology and paper and ink information. TechTarget offers a list of basic advertising terms used on the Internet with much cross over into the print world.

Subscribe to industry publications to keep up with magazine printer information

There are a number of printing magazines on the market that can give you both the latest news in your field as well as updated terminology and industry slang. Knowing the basics is great but keeping up with the lingo is a must.
Try: Printing News is the must-read magazine for all commercial printers that offers the latest language for digital and Internet printing as well as popular lingo for print publications. WhatTheyThink.com provides news and online video clips relating to the printing industry so not only can you read the latest in printing language, you can also hear it.

Take time to know the language of the providers of magazine printing services

Magazine printing companies need to know all aspects of their business and network. Taking time to learn about the types of ink and paper finishes available can help with purchasing decisions. You also need to know about the latest software(or at least what it is called) and those programs popular in the magazine printing industry.
Try: International Paper Company offers a great glossary of paper types, terms and related knowledge to help you understand the words coming out of your paper supplier's mouth. PrintUSA has a comprehensive glossary of printing terms with an emphasis on ink and graphic terminology. TopTenREVIEWS provides a wonderful basic glossary of software terms as they relate to the printing and publishing industry.

 

  • Consider joining the online forums of your favorite print magazines to get up to date industry slang and increase your networking base.