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Industry Speak: Acronyms & Jargon

Industry Speak: Acronyms & Jargon

Industry Speak: Acronyms and Jargon – Episode Summary

In this engaging episode of The Print University, Ryan McAbee and Pat McGrew decode the language of print—acronyms, terminology, and jargon that often confuse new hires and industry outsiders. Perfect for those starting printing industry training programs for new employees or seeking print shop employee onboarding templates, this episode helps flatten the learning curve and reduce communication breakdowns in production environments.

Pat and Ryan begin by poking fun at acronym overload, from TLA (three-letter acronyms) to print-specific terms like RIP (Raster Image Processor), MIS (Management Information System), and DFE (Digital Front End). They highlight how some terms shift depending on context—CD could mean compact disc or certificate of deposit—emphasizing the importance of clarification in multi-disciplinary teams.

Listeners are introduced to the broad spectrum of print service providers (PSPs): commercial printers, in-plants, direct mailers, packaging converters, sign shops, publication printers, screen printers, and transactional shops. Each segment comes with its own operational nuances and vocabulary. The hosts explore terms like substrate, signature, imposition, folio, GSM, basis weight, and more—foundational knowledge for color management training for new hires, offset press training, or digital printing press training.

The episode wraps with a walk-through of print equipment terms, inline vs. offline finishing, and quality control systems like ILS (inline spectrophotometer), arming new employees with the confidence to navigate day-to-day print shop conversations.

You Will Learn:

  • Common acronyms and how terminology varies across segments

  • Definitions for PSP types: in-plant, packaging, sign, publication, transactional

  • Substrate and paper terms: GSM, basis weight, cover vs. text stock

  • Overview of equipment flow: feeder, print engine, finishing

  • Key software terms: CRM, MIS, DFE, RIP, and their roles in production

Who This Course Is For:

New hires, CSR staff, onboarding coordinators, prepress teams, and anyone building a knowledge base for outsourced training for print production staff or print shop employee onboarding templates

Time to Watch:

Approx. 22 minutes