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Common Terms - A
AA Authors Alterations, changes other than corrections, made by a client after the proofing process has begun. AAs are usually charged to a client as billable time.
Absorbency the capacity a paper has for accepting liquids, like the inks or water used to run offset lithographic presses. see also ink absorption, ink holdout.
Acid-free paper paper manufactured on a paper machine with the wet-end chemistry controlled to a neutral or slightly alkaline pH. see also alkaline papermaking, archival, permanence, pH, wet end.
Actual weight the true weight of any volume of paper. The actual weight of paper is used to determine both purchase price and shipping costs. see also basic size, basis weight, weight.
Additives ingredients of paper other than pulp. Additives include clay fillers, dyes, sizing, and other chemicals. see also clay, ingredients of paper, papermaking, sizing.
Alkaline Papermaking the manufacture of paper under alkaline conditions using additives, caustic fillers like calcium can neutral size. Alkaline paper is usually used where aging resistance is desired. It's the logical choice for documents, books, and maps. All of Champion uncoated premium papers are made with an alkaline process, so they're long-lasting and well-suited for permanent record applications. see also acid-free paper, archival paper, calcium carbonate, lignin, papermaking, permanence, pH, sizing.
Alum also called hydrated aluminum sulfate or papermaker's alum. A papermaking chemical that's typically used when adding rosin size to pulp, alum imparts water-resistant properties to paper. In practical terms, it keeps paper from clinging to the presses, see also rosin, sizing.
Aqueous Coating a water-based coating applied after printing, either while the paper is still on press ("in line"), or after it's off press. An aqueous coating usually gives a gloss, dull, or matte finish, and helps prevent the underlying ink from rubbing off. Unlike a UV coating or a varnish, an aqueous coating will accept ink-jet printing, making it a natural choice for jobs that require printing addresses for mass mailings. see also coated paper, finishing, UV coating, varnish.
Archival Paper paper that's alkaline and won't deteriorate over time. Archival papers must meet national standards for permanence: they must be acid-free and alkaline with a pH of 7.5 to 8.5; include 2% calcium carbonate as an alkaline reserve; and not contain any ground-wood or unbleached wood fiber. The expected life of archival paper is more than 100 years. see also acid-free, alkaline papermaking, permanence, pH.
Art Director The individual responsible for overseeing the creative and production process and managing other creative individuals.