Introduction.
Welcome to the Rainwater Press Publishing Primer, which features more
than 1,000 terms related to the digital publishing, graphic arts, and printing
industries. Over the years, we've discovered that many of the problems that
arise in publishing and printing environments can be avoided by clearer,
more precise communications between publishers and their suppliers. The
terminology used by printers, graphic artists, typographers, and publishers
has a rich and interesting history that has been modified and made even
more complex by the advent of personal computers and digital publishing
technology.
It's easy to find glossaries and dictionaries of computer terms. These
computer-related dictionaries have helped traditional publishing professionals
acclimate themselves to new computer terminology, but it sometimes seems
that desktop publishing has spawned a whole new generation of people who
are more familiar with computers than with printing presses, inks, and general
publishing procedures. We often forget that publishing and new technology
is a two-way street--that while it's important to understand and be up-to-date
on computer technology, a strong foundation in traditional publishing methods
and terminology is critical to becoming successfully published. This holds
true for the many publishers today who may never even apply ink to paper:
Whether you're creating a site on the World Wide Web, an animated video,
a self-running multimedia presentation, a four-color brochure, a full-length
novel, a glossy magazine, or a two-color newsletter, an understanding of
both the old and the new will help you get where you're going more efficiently
and with fewer misunderstandings.
As computers and publishing continue to merge, Rainwater Press has been
and will continue to be dedicated to helping ease the transition. Please
feel free to refer to this online glossary as often as you like, but remember,
like everything else on this Web site, this glossary is copyrighted material
and may not be downloaded, reproduced, or distributed in any form, print
or electronic, without the prior written permission of Rainwater Press.
