Offset Printing: image areas are photo etched onto a thin metal or poly plate that will accept ink in the image areas and repel ink in the non-image areas. The plate is attached to the plate cylinder of the press and is inked. The inked image is then transferred or offset (thus the term offset printing) to a rubber blanket cylinder, then onto the paper carried by the impression cylinder. The pressures on these cylinders can be adjusted to print a wide range of paper thicknesses and surface textures.   
Screen Printing: is achieved by use of a hand-cut or photographically prepared stencil. The screen material can be silk or polyester mesh. Printing is done in a srceen frame by forcing ink through the open image areas with a rubber squeegee. Heavy ink coverage such as UV coating as well as outdoor durability are some of the benefits achieved by this method. Virtually any surface, shape, size or thickness can be screen printed (also called silk screen).
Pad Printing: a recessed surface is covered with ink. The plate is wiped clean, leaving ink in the recessed areas. A silicone pad is then pressed against the plate, pulling the ink out of the recesses, and pressing it directly onto the product.
4-color Process: a system where a color image is separated into 4 different color values by the use of laser imaging. The result is a color separation of 4 images, that when transferred to printing plates or screens and printed with the four process inks [cyan, magenta, yellow and black]. This reproduces the original color image as close as possible.
Pantone Matching System (PMS): a book of standardized colors in a fan format used to identify, match and communicate colors in order to produce accurate color matches in printing. Each color has a coded number indicating instructions for mixing inks to achieve that color.
Camera-ready: artwork that is black and white and has very clean, crisp lines that make it easy to scan and suitable for photographic reproduction.
Bleeds: printers cannot print right to the edge of a paper sheet. To create that effect, the printer must use a sheet, which is larger than the document size. Then the printer prints beyond the edge of the document size (usually 1/8"), then cuts the paper down to the finished document size.
Imprint Area: the area on a product, with specific dimensions, in which the imprint is placed.
Proofs: A pdf file will be sent for your final approval prior to production. Please send approval back within 24 hours, your order will be on hold until then.
Pre-production Proof: an actual physical sample of the product itself produced and sent for approval before an order goes into production. Call for pricing.
Drop Shipment: an order shipped to more than one location will be charged a fee for each additional destination.
Less than Minimum: the fee charged for ordering 50% fewer items than the quantity listed in the minimum or first column. This option is not always available on all products.
Etching: using a process in which an image is first covered with a protective coating that resists acid, then exposed, leaving bare metal and protected metal. The acid attacks only the exposed metal, leaving the image etched onto the surface.
Engraving: cutting an image into metal, wood, plastic or glass by one of three methods--computerized engraving, laser engraving, or hand engraving.
Colorfill: screen printing an image and then debossing it onto the vinyl's surface.
Embroidery: stitching a design into fabric through the use of high-speed, computer-controlled sewing machines. Artwork must first be "digitized," which is the specialized process of converting two-dimensional artwork into stitches or thread. Formats such as a jpeg, eps, or pdf, are acceptable for digitizing. The digitizer must actually recreate the artwork using stitches. Then it programs the sewing machine to sew a specific design, in a specific color, with a specific type of stitch. 
Debossing: depressing an image into a material's surface so that the image sits below the product surface.
Embossing: impressing an image in relief to achieve a raised surface.
Hot Stamp: setting a design on a relief die, which is then heated and pressed onto the printing surface.
Laser or Foil Stamp: applying metallic or colored foil imprints to vinyl, leather or paper surfaces.
Personalization: imprinting an item with a person's name using one of several methods such as mechanical engraving, laser engraving, hot stamping, debossing, sublimation, or screen printing, to name a few.
Die-casting: injecting molten metal into the cavity of a carved die (a mold).
Die-striking: producing emblems and other flat promotional products by striking a blank metal sheet with a hammer that holds the die.