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GSM - Grams per square meter. The unit of measurement for paper weight.

Galley proof - Text copy before it is put into a mechanical layout or desktop layout.

Gamma - a measure of contract in photographic images and on color computer monitors.

Gang - Getting the most out of a printing press by using the maximum sheet size to print multiple images or jobs on the same sheet. A way to save money.

Gatefold - an oversize page where both sides fold into the gutter in overlapping layers. Used to accommodate maps into books.

Gathering - the operation of inserting the printed pages, sections or signatures of a book in the correct order for binding.

Generation - Stages of reproduction from original copy. A first generation reproduction yields the best quality.

Ghost bars - A quality control method used to reduce ghosted image created by heat or chemical contamination.

Ghosting - A faint printed image that appears on a printed sheet where it was not intended. More often than not this problem is a function of graphical design. It is hard to tell when or where ghosting will occur. Sometimes you can see the problem developing immediately after printing the sheet, other times the problem occurs while drying. However the problem occurs it is costly to fix, if it can be fixed. Occasionally it can be eliminated by changing the color sequence, the inks, the paper, changing to a press with a drier, printing the problem area in a separate pass through the press or changing the racking (reducing the number of sheets on the drying racks). Since it is a function of graphical design, the buyer pays for the increased cost.

Gloss - A shiny look reflecting light.

Gloss ink - for use in litho and letterpress printing on coated papers where the ink will dry without penetration.

Golden ratio - the rule devised to give proportions of height to width when laying out text and illustrations to produce the most optically pleasing result.

Gothic - typefaces with no serifs and broad even strokes.

Grain - The direction in which the paper fibers lie.

Gravure - a rotary printing process where the image is etched into the metal plate attached to a cylinder. The cylinder is then rotated through a trough of printing ink after which the etched surface is wiped clean by a blade leaving the non-image area clean. The paper is then passed between two rollers and pressed against the etched cylinder drawing the ink out by absorption.

Greeking - a software device where areas of gray are used to simulate lines of text.

Grey scale - a range of luminance values for evaluating shading through white to black. Frequently used in discussions about scanners as a measure of their ability to capture halftone images. Basically the more levels the better but with correspondingly larger memory requirements.

Grid - A systematic division of a page into areas to enable designers to ensure consistency. The grid acts as a measuring guide and shows text, illustrations and trim sizes.

Grippers - The metal fingers on a printing press that hold the paper as it passes through the press.

Guard - a narrow strip of paper or linen pasted to a single leaf to allow sewing into a section for binding.

Gutter - the central blank area between left and right pages or from printing area to binding