The weight of one thousand sheets of paper of a specific grade and size, or double the ream weight.
Machine Coating
Applying coating to paper on the paper machine on which the paper is made.
Machine Direction
The direction of a sheet or web of paper corresponding with the direction of the flow on the papermachine.
Machine Finished
Paper that is calendered on the papermaking machines, but is not supercalendered to give a very smooth finish or gloss. Has good bulk and is often used for book manufacturing.
Make-Ready
Paper that is used in the press set-up process before the printing run actually starts.
Manufacturer
(NO COPY AVAILABLE)
Mar Resistance
The ability of the print to withstand slight abrasion, impact or pressure. (see abrasion resistance).
Matt Finish
A dull, clay-coated paper without gloss or luster.
Matte Finish
A low gloss (no gloss) finish.
Mechanical Pulp
Same as groundwood pulp. Pulp produced by grinding logs and wood chips into pulp.
Megabyte
1,000 kilobytes of data - 8 million bits.
Mercury Vapour Lamp
A high intensity light use into photo screen preparation and curing of some inks.
Mesh Count
The unit of measure which indicates the number of openings in a linear measurement of screen fabric.
Mesh Marks
A fine pattern left by the mesh of a screen printing fabric.
Micrometer
Instrument used to measure the thickness (caliper) of paper.
Mill
A company that processes raw materials into finished or industrial products. In the case of the printing paper industry, a mill will convert trees into wood chips, wood chips into pulp, and pulp into paper.
Mill Broke
Offcuts and rejected material that has not left the paper mill. Broke is routinely re-pulped and the fibre used in the production of new paper. Mill broke is not normally considered to be true recycled fibre.
Misregistration
One or more of the four passes (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow of Black) not completely aligned onto one another. This usually leaves a shadow or halo effect throughout the entire image.
Mobius Loop
A recycling logo consisting of a triangle of three arrows. On its own it denotes 'recyclable'. With a percentage figure in the centre it denotes that the product contains a defined quantity of recycled material.
Modulus of Elasticity
The ratio of stress to strain within the elastic range (Mpa).
Moire
Unsightly patterns that appear in printed materials when halftone screen angles of the separations are set to the wrong angles.
Moire / Screen Clash
An undesirable optical effect that occurs with halftone printing.
Moisture Content
The amount of moisture in paper, normally ranging from 5% to 8%. Paper easily picks up or emits moisture to and from the surrounding environment.
Mottle
Non-uniform colour of a paper sheet, whether accidental or intentional.
Mottle
A spotty or uneven printed surface which is most apparent in solid areas.
Mounting
The process by which a piece of printed material is affixed to a receiving surface.
Mud Cracking
A term that describes a fault in inkjet printing when liquid or ink sinks into the paper and leaves pigment only on the surface, which subsequently cracks.
Mullen Tester
A machine for testing the bursting strength of paper.
