Labeling Terms & Definitions: D

Posted on 06-27-2018

D

DATA MATRIX CODE
A proprietary dynamically variable 2D matrix code, which provides a visual representation of a machine executable electronic binary code.

DEBOSSED
An indent or cut in design or lettering of a surface.

DELAMINATION
The separation of a material into layers in a direction approximately parallel to the surface. The partial or complete separation of the layers of a laminate.

DENSITOMETER
Instrument that measures reflected or transmitted light. A reflection densitometer is used as a control instrument to check the uniformity and consistency of print color.

DESTATICIZATION
Treating plastic materials to minimize their accumulation of static electricity.

DESTRUCTIBLE LABEL
A type of pressure sensitive label that, once removed from the release liner and bonded to the intended surface, cannot be removed from the surface intact. Any attempt to remove the label is readily evident, and the label cannot be removed and replaced successfully. These labels are typically used when users want to discourage and show evidence of tampering.

DETACKIFICATION
The destroying of the tack or stickiness of a pressure sensitive adhesive.

DIE ADAPTER
A device used to modify a die station of one type of press so that it will accommodate dies originally designed to be used on different presses.

DIE BLADES
Sharpened, thin steel blades used in flat or rotary dies. Also refers to blades on machine engraved or EDM manufactured rotary dies.

DIE CUT LABEL
Pressure sensitive labels die-cut to the release liner from which the matrix has been die cut and usually removed.

DIE CUT
To cut labels with a die.

DIE
Hardened steel or tungsten carbide tools or devices used for imparting or cutting a desired shape, form, or finish to or from a material. A device used in converting machinery for cutting only the face material of a pressure sensitive laminate or for punching out shapes from the entire laminate or any other label material.

DIE HOLD-DOWN ASSEMBLY
A steel block incorporating bearings which apply pressure to the bearer surface of a rotary die cutter through pressure screws.

DIE LIFE
Mileage expected from a new die and that expected following a resharpening of a die, usually expressed in revolutions.

DIE LINES
A drawn layout of the die cut shapes of the label to be manufactured. Die-lines are an important component of the artwork as they not only show the size and shape of the label, they show the artwork placement within the die-line.

DIE STAIN TEST
Used to check die cutting accuracy. Usually done with diluted ink applied to the die cut surface of the backing or liner material. The ink wicks into any fractures of the silicone coated surface thereby exhibiting the problem areas.

DIE-CUTTING
The process of using dies or sharp steel rules to cut any shape for labels.

DIFFERENTIAL RELEASE
A release liner with release coatings on both sides. One side has easy release while the opposite side is tighter such that the adhesive stays with the tighter side during winding and other subsequent converting.

DIGITAL PRINTING
The process involving the creation, storage, transfer and reproduction of printed images in a digital format so as to allow fixed or completely variable information to be printed on a label without printing plates.

DILUENT
A liquid used to thin ink.

DIMENSIONAL STABILITY
That property of a material which enables it to resist length, width, or thickness changes under varying conditions of heat, cold, moisture and other influences.

DIRECT THERMAL LABELS
Labels used with a printing method utilizing heat impinged upon a specially coated substrate so that the heat turns the surface black. No ribbon is required.

DIRECT THERMAL
Printing method utilizing heat impinged upon a specially coated substrate so that the heat turns the surface black.

DISCOLORATION
Any change from the original color, or an unintended inconsistency of color.

DISCRETE CODE
A bar code or symbol where the spaces between characters (intercharacter gap) are not part of the code.

DISPENSER
A device that dispenses pressure sensitive labels, either manually or automatically, making them ready for application. In its simplest form, it can serve as a package or dispenser box for the labels as well.

DISPENSING EDGE
A relatively sharp edge around which a backing material is pulled in order to dispense a pressure sensitive label from the backing.

DISPERSION
A uniform distribution of solid particles in a vehicle.

DISTORTED
Intentionally compensating for shrinkage, stretch, etc. of the flexographic printing plates so that the printed image size is as intended by the artist.

DISTORTION COPY
Copy which is intentionally distorted in preparation, in order to compensate for the effects of dimensional changes due to subsequent processing. Flexographic printing plates require such allowances to compensate for dimensional changes that occur when the plate is wrapped around the print cylinder for mounting on the press.

DOCTOR BLADE
A thin flexible blade mounted parallel to and adjustable against the surface an engraved anilox roll for the purpose of scraping off excess ink or coatings.

DOCTOR ROLL
The fountain or metering roll in a flexographic press which doctors off excess ink from the engraved anilox roll.

DOT GAIN OR SPREAD
A printing characteristic in which dots print larger on the paper or other substrate than they are on the printing plate, causing darker tones or colors. See dot growth.

DOT GROWTH
The increase in size of a dot from the original artwork to the printed sheet. Dot gain consists of two parts, physical dot gain and optical dot gain due to the physics of light absorption and reflection.

DOT MATRIX
A printing technology that produces its printed image by firing pins or hammers against a ribbon and then onto paper.

DOT

The individual element of halftones. All the dots in a halftone have equal density and spacing and vary in area.

DOUBLE COATED
A pressure sensitive product consisting of a carrier material with similar or dissimilar adhesives applied to the two surfaces and wound with a silicone release paper.

DPI

Dots per inch. Resolution is expressed as the number of lines or halftone dots per inch, also called screen ruling. This is also used to express the print resolution of digital printing machines including laser printers, thermal printers and ink jet printers.

DRIER
Any substance added to hasten drying during ink making. Also part of a printing press through which the web travels in order to effectively dry the ink or coating applied. Also spelled ‘dryer’.

DROP-OUT
To knock out color from behind another color so that the first color will not affect the appearance of the second color.

DRY EDGE
The edge of paper or film where there is no adhesive. This makes for easy removal of release liner.

DRYER
See drier.

DWELL
Refers to the length of time pressure is applied to a pressure sensitive label during application. The time that a pressure sensitive material remains on a surface before testing the adhesion or removability. Also the time that a hot stamp, embossing head, or thermal die remains in contact with the surface of a pressure sensitive material.

DYE TESTS
See die stain test.

DYNE LEVEL
Dyne is a measurement of surface tension or energy. The level is the actual reading of the critical surface tension. Low dyne levels indicates a low surface energy which can contribute to poor ink adhesion.

Ref:

https://coastlabel.com/glossary/#1464295729542-e5a...