# PDF, Print and Document Design Glossary | BuildPDFs

> Plain definitions of PDF, print, layout, typography and document terms: bleed, trim size, CMYK, leading, lead magnet, whitepaper, SOP, KDP, Paged.js and more.

Source: https://buildpdfs.com/glossary

Glossary

# PDF, print and document design glossary

85 terms you meet when you make ebooks, lead magnets, workbooks, reports and other PDFs.

[PDF and print](#pdf-and-print)[Layout and typography](#layout-and-typography)[Document types](#document-types)[Marketing and publishing](#marketing-and-publishing)[Tools and technology](#tools-and-technology)

## PDF and print

PDF

Portable Document Format. A file format that keeps the same layout, fonts and images on every device and printer. [AI PDF generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-pdf-generator)

Print-ready PDF

A PDF that a printer can use without changes: correct page size, embedded fonts, enough image resolution and, when needed, bleed.

PDF/A

A version of PDF for long-term archiving. It embeds all fonts and does not allow content that depends on outside resources.

PDF/X

A version of PDF for commercial printing. It sets rules for color, fonts and page boxes so print output is predictable.

Bleed

Extra image or color area outside the trim edge, usually 3 mm or 0.125 in, so no white edge shows after the page is cut.

Trim size

The final size of a page after cutting, for example US Letter (8.5 × 11 in), A4 (210 × 297 mm) or 6 × 9 in for books.

Safe area

The inner part of the page where text and important elements stay, so they are not cut off when the page is trimmed.

Crop marks

Thin lines at the page corners that show the printer where to cut.

CMYK

The four ink colors used in print: cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Screen colors (RGB) are converted to CMYK for printing.

RGB

The red, green and blue color model of screens. Digital PDFs that are only read on screens can stay in RGB.

DPI

Dots per inch. Print images usually need about 300 DPI at their printed size to look sharp.

Vector graphic

An image made of shapes and paths, such as a logo in SVG. It stays sharp at any size.

Raster image

An image made of pixels, such as a JPG or PNG photo. It gets blurry when enlarged past its resolution.

Embedded fonts

Fonts stored inside the PDF, so the document shows the same typography on computers that do not have those fonts.

Fillable PDF

A PDF with form fields that readers can type into. A static PDF has fixed content. [Fillable vs static PDF](https://buildpdfs.com/guides/fillable-vs-static-pdf)

## Layout and typography

Typography

The choice and arrangement of type: fonts, sizes, line spacing and line length. It sets how readable and professional a document looks. [eBook design basics](https://buildpdfs.com/guides/ebook-design-basics)

Typeface

A family of type designs, such as Garamond. A font is one style of it, such as Garamond Bold 12 pt.

Serif

A typeface with small strokes at the ends of letters. Common for long body text in print.

Sans serif

A typeface without those end strokes. Common for headings and for screens.

Leading

The space between lines of text. Body text usually reads best at 1.4 to 1.6 times the font size.

Kerning

The space between two specific letters, adjusted so pairs such as "AV" look even.

Tracking

Even letter spacing across a whole word or line.

Visual hierarchy

The use of size, weight, color and space to show what to read first: title, then headings, then body text.

Grid

The invisible columns and margins that keep page elements aligned across a document.

Margins

The empty space around the text block on each page.

Gutter

The inner margin next to the spine of a bound book or the space between columns.

Mirrored margins

Left and right margins that swap on facing pages, so the wider margin is always on the spine side.

Spread

Two facing pages seen together in a printed book.

Recto and verso

Recto is a right-hand page (odd number). Verso is a left-hand page (even number).

Running header

Text at the top of each page, such as the book or chapter title. A running footer is the same at the bottom.

Folio

The page number printed on a page.

Table of contents

A list of the sections in a document with their page numbers. Long PDFs should have one that updates when pages move.

Widow

The last line of a paragraph left alone at the top of a page or column.

Orphan

The first line of a paragraph left alone at the bottom of a page or column.

Drop cap

A large first letter at the start of a chapter or section.

Pull quote

A short quote from the text, set large on the page to draw attention.

Callout box

A shaded or bordered box for a tip, warning, example or key takeaway.

White space

Empty space between elements. It makes a page easier to scan and look less crowded.

Front matter

The pages before the main text of a book: title page, copyright page, dedication and table of contents.

Back matter

The pages after the main text: appendix, glossary, index, about the author.

Cover page

The first page of a document. It shows the title, subtitle and author or brand.

## Document types

eBook

A book-length digital document, usually a PDF or EPUB, sold or given away. [AI ebook generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-ebook-generator)

Lead magnet

A free resource, such as a checklist, guide or workbook, that people get in exchange for their email address. [AI lead magnet generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-lead-magnet-generator)

Checklist

A short list of steps or items to tick off. One of the most popular lead magnet formats. [Lead magnet checklist template](https://buildpdfs.com/templates/lead-magnet-checklist)

Workbook

A document with lessons plus exercises, prompts and space to write. Common with courses and coaching. [AI course workbook generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-course-workbook-generator)

Worksheet

A single-topic practice sheet with questions and space for answers, often with an answer key. [AI worksheet generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-worksheet-generator)

Lesson plan

A teacher's plan for one lesson: objectives, materials, steps, practice and assessment. [AI lesson plan generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-lesson-plan-generator)

Whitepaper

An in-depth, research-based document that explains a problem and a solution. Common in B2B marketing. [AI whitepaper generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-whitepaper-generator)

Case study

A story of how a customer solved a problem, with the challenge, the solution and measured results. [AI case study generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-case-study-generator)

One-pager

A single page that summarizes a product, company or project. [AI one-pager generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-one-pager-generator)

Business proposal

A document that offers a service to a client: scope, approach, timeline, price and terms. [AI business proposal generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-business-proposal-generator)

Statement of work

A contract document that defines deliverables, timeline and acceptance criteria for a project. [Statement of work template](https://buildpdfs.com/templates/freelance-statement-of-work)

Quote

A priced offer for specific goods or services, valid for a set time. [AI quote generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-quote-generator)

Invoice

A request for payment that lists what was delivered, prices, taxes, total and payment terms. [AI invoice generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-invoice-generator)

Brochure

A short printed or digital document that presents a company, product or service. [AI brochure generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-brochure-generator)

Tri-fold brochure

A letter-size sheet folded into three panels. [Tri-fold brochure template](https://buildpdfs.com/templates/tri-fold-brochure)

Product catalog

A document that lists products with photos, descriptions and prices. A line sheet is the wholesale version. [AI catalog generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-catalog-generator)

Media kit

A document for brands and advertisers with a creator's or publication's audience, reach and rates. [Media kit template](https://buildpdfs.com/templates/media-kit-for-instagram-creators)

Press kit

A document for journalists with company facts, product information, images and contacts. [AI press kit generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-press-kit-generator)

Newsletter

A regular update sent to subscribers, members or employees. [AI newsletter generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-newsletter-generator)

Employee handbook

A document that explains a company's policies, benefits and expectations for employees. [AI employee handbook generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-employee-handbook-generator)

SOP

Standard operating procedure. Step-by-step instructions for doing a task the same way every time. [AI SOP generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-sop-generator)

Playbook

A practical guide with the steps, scripts and examples a team uses for a repeated process.

Planner

A printable document for scheduling days, weeks or goals. [AI weekly planner generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-weekly-planner-generator)

Printable

A digital file made to be printed at home, such as a planner, worksheet or tracker. A popular product on Etsy. [BuildPDFs for Etsy sellers](https://buildpdfs.com/for-etsy-sellers)

Book interior

The inside pages of a printed book, laid out at the trim size, separate from the cover file. [AI book formatter](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-book-formatter)

Manuscript

The author's text of a book before it is laid out and published. [Book manuscript template](https://buildpdfs.com/templates/book-manuscript)

Brand guidelines

A document that defines how to use a brand's logo, colors, fonts and voice. [AI brand guidelines generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-brand-guidelines-generator)

Pitch deck

A short presentation that a startup shows to investors. [AI pitch deck generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-pitch-deck-generator)

## Marketing and publishing

Opt-in

The form or step where a visitor gives an email address to get a lead magnet or join a list. [How to make a lead magnet PDF](https://buildpdfs.com/guides/how-to-make-a-lead-magnet-pdf)

Gated content

Content that people get only after they fill in a form, such as a whitepaper behind an email form.

Content upgrade

A lead magnet made for one specific blog post, such as a checklist version of the post.

Conversion rate

The share of visitors who take the action you want, such as downloading a lead magnet.

KDP

Kindle Direct Publishing. Amazon's service for self-publishing ebooks and print-on-demand paperbacks.

ISBN

International Standard Book Number. A unique number that identifies a published book edition.

EPUB

A reflowable ebook format that adapts to the reader's screen. PDF keeps a fixed page layout.

Print on demand

Printing a copy only when someone orders it, so no stock is needed.

## Tools and technology

AI PDF generator

Software that uses AI to write the content of a document and produce it as a PDF. Some also design the layout. [AI PDF generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-pdf-generator)

AI document generator

An AI tool that creates complete documents, such as reports, proposals or workbooks, from a description. [AI document generator](https://buildpdfs.com/ai-document-generator)

Prompt

The instruction you give an AI model, such as "Create a 20-page ebook about meal prep for busy parents". [Create a PDF from a prompt](https://buildpdfs.com/create-pdf-from-prompt)

Markdown

A simple text format that uses symbols such as # for headings and \* for lists. ChatGPT, Claude and Notion can export text as markdown.

HTML to PDF

Turning a web page or HTML document into a PDF, usually with a browser engine.

CSS Paged Media

The part of CSS for printed pages: page size, margins, page numbers, running headers and page breaks.

Paged.js

An open-source library that lays out HTML into printed pages with CSS Paged Media in the browser. BuildPDFs uses it for print-ready layout.

Template

A ready-made design that you fill with your own content. In BuildPDFs a template is a starting design that the AI adapts to your content. [PDF templates](https://buildpdfs.com/templates)
