🟧 Why You Need to Learn Japanese Printing Terms
Miscommunication Leads to Real Trouble
In the world of printing, one small misunderstanding can lead to expensive mistakes. For example, if a foreign designer sends print data with no bleed area (塗り足し), assuming the printer will adjust it, the Japanese printer may halt the process or print it as-is, resulting in cut-off designs. Another common problem is misunderstanding paper sizes: “B5” in Japan follows the JIS standard, not ISO, which is slightly different in size. These seemingly minor discrepancies can result in delays, reprints, or unexpected costs.
Japan Has a Unique Printing Culture
Japan’s printing industry has evolved with its own workflows, materials, and aesthetic expectations. Words like “校了” (final proof approval) or “無線綴じ” (perfect binding without staples) don’t always have exact English equivalents. Even common English terms like “proof” or “offset” may be used differently in Japan. Understanding these terms isn’t just helpful—it’s essential for building trust and keeping your project on track.
Efficiency and Respect in Communication
Japanese printers value precision, clarity, and politeness. When you use the correct terminology, it signals not just your understanding but also your respect for their process and culture. You’ll avoid long email threads and gain faster responses if you can say things like, “Please confirm the 入稿データ (final artwork files) have bleed set at 3mm.” Rather than relying on guesswork or Google Translate, knowing the right word at the right time can make all the difference.
🔹Top 50 Japanese Printing Terms and Their English Translations (1–10)
| No. | Japanese Term | English Term | Meaning / Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 入稿（にゅうこう） | Artwork Submission | The act of submitting finalized print data (usually in PDF or Illustrator format) to the printer. This marks the official start of the production process. |
| 2 | 校正（こうせい） | Proof / Proofreading | A checking process to find and fix any typos, layout errors, or design inconsistencies before final approval. |
| 3 | 校了（こうりょう） | Final Proof Approved | The client or designer confirms that the proof is correct and gives the green light to begin printing. |
| 4 | 本機校正（ほんきこうせい） | Press Proof | A test print run on the actual printing machine, used to check final color accuracy and paper compatibility. |
| 5 | 塗り足し（ぬりたし） | Bleed | Extra space (usually 3mm) added around the edges of a design to ensure proper trimming without white borders. |
| 6 | トンボ | Crop Marks / Registration Marks | Small lines or guides printed outside the trim area to help align pages and indicate where to cut. |
| 7 | 断裁（だんさい） | Trimming | The process of cutting printed sheets to their final size using a paper cutter or guillotine. |
| 8 | 表紙（ひょうし） | Cover | The front and back outer pages of a booklet, often printed on thicker or coated paper for durability and appearance. |
| 9 | 中綴じ（なかとじ） | Saddle Stitch | A booklet binding method that uses staples through the center fold. Ideal for thinner booklets or catalogs. |
| 10 | 無線綴じ（むせんとじ） | Perfect Binding | A glue-based binding method that joins the inner pages and cover at the spine. Common for magazines and thicker books. |
🔹Top 50 Japanese Printing Terms and Their English Translations (11–20)
| No. | Japanese Term | English Term | Meaning / Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 表面加工（ひょうめんかこう） | Surface Finishing | Post-print processing to enhance durability or appearance. Common types include lamination, varnishing, and foil stamping. |
| 12 | PP加工（ぴーぴーかこう） | Lamination (PP Coating) | A plastic film (polypropylene) applied to the surface of printed material. Available in gloss or matte. Adds durability and a premium look. |
| 13 | 箔押し（はくおし） | Foil Stamping | A metallic or colored foil is heat-pressed onto paper using a metal die. Often used for logos or luxury packaging. |
| 14 | 浮き出し加工（うきだしかこう） | Embossing | A raised design is created by pressing the paper from underneath with a custom die. Used for text, logos, and decorative elements. |
| 15 | 特色（とくしょく） | Spot Color | A custom ink color not made from CMYK. Typically used for exact color reproduction, such as brand logos (e.g. Pantone). |
| 16 | 版（はん） | Printing Plate | A physical or digital plate used to transfer ink to paper. Required for offset, flexographic, and letterpress printing. |
| 17 | 色校（いろこう） | Color Proof | A pre-production sample used to check color accuracy. Can be printed digitally or using the final press. |
| 18 | ドブ | Bleed Margin | The area beyond the trim line that is meant to be cut off. Often used interchangeably with “bleed,” but more common in Japanese industry slang. |
| 19 | 絵柄（えがら） | Artwork / Design Area | The visual elements or graphics that will actually be printed. Excludes margins, bleed, and other guides. |
| 20 | 製本（せいほん） | Bookbinding | The process of assembling printed sheets into finished books or booklets. Includes saddle stitch, perfect binding, hardcover, and more. |
🔹Top 50 Japanese Printing Terms and Their English Translations (21–30)
| No. | Japanese Term | English Term | Meaning / Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 上製本（じょうせいぼん） | Hardcover Binding | A high-end bookbinding method using a rigid cover. Often used for photo books, art catalogs, and commemorative publications. |
| 22 | 折加工（おりかこう） | Folding | The process of folding printed sheets into desired shapes (e.g., tri-fold, Z-fold, gatefold). Used for brochures and flyers. |
| 23 | ミシン目 | Perforation | A row of small holes punched into paper to make it easy to tear. Common in tickets, coupons, and forms. |
| 24 | 通し番号（とおしばんごう） | Sequential Numbering | A process that prints unique, consecutive numbers on each copy. Useful for event tickets, invoices, and serial tracking. |
| 25 | 印刷面（いんさつめん） | Printed Side | Refers to the surface(s) of the sheet where printing appears. Single-sided or double-sided (duplex) options available. |
| 26 | 両面印刷（りょうめんいんさつ） | Duplex Printing | Printing on both sides of a sheet. Saves paper and is common for booklets, documents, and flyers. |
| 27 | 用紙（ようし） | Paper Stock | The type and quality of paper used. Includes coated, uncoated, recycled, and specialty paper. |
| 28 | 上質紙（じょうしつし） | Fine Paper / High-Quality Uncoated Paper | A smooth, white, uncoated paper commonly used for stationery and documents. Offers excellent writability. |
| 29 | コート紙（こーとし） | Coated Paper | Glossy or matte paper with a coated surface for sharp image printing. Often used for catalogs, flyers, and posters. |
| 30 | マット紙 | Matte Coated Paper | A non-glossy coated paper that reduces glare. Ideal for elegant visuals, muted colors, and readability. |
🔹Top 50 Japanese Printing Terms and Their English Translations (31–40)
| No. | Japanese Term | English Term | Meaning / Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 印刷機（いんさつき） | Printing Press | The machine used to transfer ink to paper. Includes offset, digital, flexographic, and screen printing types. |
| 32 | オフセット印刷 | Offset Printing | A traditional printing method where ink is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket, then onto paper. Ideal for high-volume jobs. |
| 33 | デジタル印刷 | Digital Printing | A modern method that prints directly from digital files without using plates. Fast turnaround, suitable for small runs. |
| 34 | フレキソ印刷 | Flexographic Printing | A type of relief printing using flexible rubber or photopolymer plates. Common for packaging, labels, and corrugated boxes. |
| 35 | 網点（あみてん） | Halftone Dots | Tiny dots used to simulate continuous-tone images. Adjusting dot size controls gradients and shading in CMYK printing. |
| 36 | 解像度（かいぞうど） | Resolution (dpi) | The detail level of an image, measured in dots per inch (dpi). 300dpi is standard for high-quality print. |
| 37 | RGBデータ | RGB Data | Digital color mode based on Red, Green, and Blue. Must be converted to CMYK for print use. |
| 38 | CMYKデータ | CMYK Data | The standard color mode for printing: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (Key). Used to reproduce full-color images. |
| 39 | 塗り足し設定 | Bleed Settings | A design adjustment ensuring images extend beyond the trim area. Prevents unwanted white borders after cutting. |
| 40 | アウトライン化 | Outlining Fonts | The process of converting text into vector shapes to avoid font substitution issues during printing. |
🔹Top 50 Japanese Printing Terms and Their English Translations (41–50)
| No. | Japanese Term | English Term | Meaning / Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 入稿データチェック | Preflight Check | Verifying submitted artwork data for errors (bleed, font, resolution, etc.) before printing begins. |
| 42 | データ不備 | Data Error / Incomplete File | Indicates missing elements, wrong formats, or unsupported features in the submitted file. May delay production. |
| 43 | 色味（いろみ） | Color Tone | Refers to subtle color variations. Japanese printers are highly sensitive to hue, saturation, and brightness accuracy. |
| 44 | 印刷指示書 | Print Specification Sheet | A document detailing print requirements: size, color mode, quantity, binding, finishing, etc. Crucial for accurate job execution. |
| 45 | 見積書（みつもりしょ） | Quotation / Estimate | A formal cost breakdown for the printing project. Includes unit price, quantity, options, and delivery charges. |
| 46 | 納期（のうき） | Delivery Deadline | The agreed-upon date for completing and delivering the printed materials. Must account for proofing and finishing time. |
| 47 | 納品（のうひん） | Delivery | The final step where printed products are sent to the client, often via courier or local truck service. |
| 48 | 増刷（ぞうさつ） | Reprint / Additional Print | Printing more copies of an existing job. Often done with slight changes or none at all. |
| 49 | 在版（ざいはん） | Plate in Storage | Indicates the printer still holds the original printing plate. Enables faster, cheaper reprints. |
| 50 | ロット（印刷ロット） | Print Run / Lot Size | The number of copies printed in one batch. Affects pricing, paper yield, and machine setup costs. |
🟨Column｜Watch Out! 10 “Wasei-Eigo” Printing Terms That Confuse Native Speakers
Japan’s printing industry is full of Wasei-Eigo — English-sounding words that are actually invented in Japan and don’t always mean what you think. If you’re working with Japanese printers, knowing the difference between real English and “Japanese English” can save you a lot of confusion.
Here are 10 common “Wasei-Eigo” printing terms, what they mean in Japan, and how to express them correctly in native English.
| Japanese Term | Literal English | Real English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PP加工 | PP Processing | Lamination (PP Coating) | Not understood outside Japan. Use “lamination” or “polypropylene coating.” |
| トンボ | Dragonfly (?) | Crop Marks / Registration Marks | The literal meaning is “dragonfly,” but it refers to print alignment guides. |
| ミシン目 | Sewing Line | Perforation | Nothing to do with sewing. This is the tear-off line in tickets and forms. |
| カンプ | Comp | Design Mock-up / Layout Proof | Derived from “comprehensive layout,” but not commonly used in native English. |
| スミベタ | Solid Black | 100% Black Ink Area | “Sumi” = black ink, “beta” = full coverage. Use “solid black fill.” |
| ジャバラ折り | Accordion Fold | Accordion Fold | The meaning is correct, but “Jabara” comes from a traditional paper item. |
| タック紙 | Tacky Paper | Sticker / Adhesive Label | A label with adhesive backing. Use “label stock” or “adhesive paper.” |
| ドブ | Gutter (?) | Bleed Area | Not used in English. Use “bleed” or “bleed margin.” “Gutter” has a different meaning. |
| オンデマンド印刷 | On-Demand Printing | Digital Printing / Short-Run Printing | “On-demand” is OK, but “digital printing” is clearer in technical settings. |
| B判 / A判 | B Size / A Size | JIS B/A Paper Sizes | Always specify “Japanese B5” or “JIS B4” to avoid confusion with ISO sizes. |
✅Key Takeaway
Don’t assume that English-sounding words in Japan mean the same thing in native English. Double-check with your printer or translator. Misunderstandings often come from shared vocabulary that means different things.
Understanding these differences makes you look sharp — and prevents costly mistakes.
✅Conclusion｜Mastering Japanese Printing Terms Makes All the Difference
Navigating the world of Japanese printing can seem overwhelming — with unfamiliar terms like nukou, tombo, or seihon scattered across emails, invoices, and design specs. But with the right vocabulary in your toolkit, everything becomes more efficient and stress-free.
By learning these 50 key printing terms, you’ll be able to:
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✅ Communicate clearly with Japanese printers and vendors
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✅ Avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary reprints
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✅ Understand specifications, binding methods, and finishing options
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✅ Gain confidence and professionalism in every interaction
Whether you’re a designer, translator, print buyer, or business owner, this glossary is your passport to smooth and successful printing projects in Japan.
\Niigata Flexo Co., Ltd. is a printing company based in Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan./
We respond to all kinds of printing requests with imagination and creativity.
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