N
Natural Color System A proprietary perceptual color model. The system is based on human perception and not on color mixing. It is illustrated by a color atlas, marketed by NCS Colour AB in Stockholm.
The most important difference between NCS and most other color systems resides in their starting points. The aim of NCS is to define colors from their visual appearance, as they are experienced by human consciousness. Other color models, such as CMYK and RGB, are based on an understanding of physical processes, how colors can be achieved or "made" in different media. |
| NCR paper Non-carbon copy paper, or NCR paper. The same as carbonless copy paper (CCP). |
| Negative A negative is an image, usually on a strip or sheet of transparent plastic film, in which the lightest areas of the photographed subject appear darkest and the darkest areas appear lightest. This reversed order occurs because the extremely light-sensitive chemicals a camera film must use to capture an image quickly enough for ordinary picture-taking are darkened, rather than bleached, by exposure to light and subsequent photographic processing. |
| Nesting The process of laying out cutting patterns to minimize the raw material waste. |
Newsprint A low-cost non-archival paper consisting mainly of wood pulp and most commonly used to print newspapers and other publications and advertising material. Invented in 1844 by Charles Fenerty of Nova Scotia, Canada, it usually has an off white cast and distinctive feel. It is designed for use in printing presses that employ a long web of paper rather than individual sheets of paper.
Newsprint is favored by publishers and printers as it is relatively low cost (compared with paper grades used for glossy magazines and sales brochures), strong (to run through modern high-speed web printing presses) and can accept four-color printing at qualities that meet the needs of typical newspape |
| Newton Ring An undesirable optical effect found on photographic films characterized by irregularly-shaped rings of color surrounding a transparent center. This phenomenon was first described by Sir Isaac Newton. |
| Non-photo Blue A common tool used in the graphic design and print industry. It is a particular shade of blue that cannot be detected by graphic arts camera film. This allows layout editors to write notes to the printer on the print flat (the image that is to be photographed and sent to print) which will not show in the final form. It also allows artists to lay down sketch lines without the need to erase after inking. |
| Nonheatset Web Presser Web presser that does not have ovens or chill rollers. Ink laid down by this press must be absorbed into the paper to dry (or the solvent must evaporate into the surrounding air). |
| Nonimpact Printing A printer that prints without banging a ribbon onto paper. Laser, LED, inkjet, solid ink, thermal wax transfer and dye sublimation printers are examples of non-impact printers. |
| Novelty Prints Also known as conversation prints, they are fabrics printed with a theme motif that could represent the holidays, sports, hobbies, nursery rhymes, etc. |
