Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of software we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Print Creativity Software.

Ratings

Ease of Use

Print software features and instructions should be easy to find and simple enough for computer beginners to use and understand.

Feature Set

Print software should include a large library of templates, graphics, image editing tools and support for a wide range of file formats.

Graphic/Image Tools

Print software should be able to adjust, rotate, resize and alter images for use in printing projects.

Text Tools

Print software should include a library of creative and decorative fonts and should also allow you to apply special effects to text.

Help/Support

Print software should come with both a built-in help system and good online support, including resources like FAQs, email support and automatic updates.

Features

Templates

The number of templates included in the print program.

Address Book

A utility that manages records such as names, addresses, phone numbers and other contact information.

Backdrops

A background color or image behind the main content of your project.

Banners

The ability to create and print signs longer than a single page.

Booklets

A printed and bound book, usually just a few pages long.

Brochures

Print software should allow you to create both one-page and pamphlet- or booklet-style brochures.

Business Cards

Contains your name, title, business logo, address, telephone number and other information pertaining to you or your business.

Certificates

An official document (such as a birth certificate) or an award for some achievement.

CD Burning

The ability to burn data from your computer directly onto compact disc media.

CD Labels

A printed, circular sticker on the CD face with a brief description of the contents.

Envelopes

Print software should allow creativity when creating and printing envelopes and should accommodate various shapes and sizes.

Flyers

An inexpensive method to promote information.

Forms

Ranges from business to personal forms, such as supply invoices or personal shopping lists.

Greeting Cards

A folded card with a message of greeting, sentiment or congratulations.

Labels

Any type of attached tag with information about the contents.

Letterhead

Paper that a business uses with preprinted information, such as the company’s contact details and logo.

Mail-Merge

The ability to import data from an address book.

Menus

The ability to design restaurant-style menus.

Newsletters

Informative letters or emails that are mailed to subscribers.

Photo/Report Covers

The ability to create covers for photo albums and reports.

Post Cards

A card that is mailed without an envelope.

Posters

A brief written summary of an individual’s past career and education for a potential,employer to review.

Sentiments/Phrases

Prewritten phrases, messages and sayings that can be quickly added to a project.

Scrapbook

A collection of clippings, notes, pictures or articles of personal interest for memorabilia.

Spell Checker

Helps you to verify that your spelling is correct.

Web Pages

A document written in HTML (hypertext markup language) that can be accessed across the Internet.

Graphic/Image Tool

Image Library

The number of images included in the print software.

Image Effects

Common edit effects include: fading image borders by softening edges, adding artistic effects, converting to black and white, colorizing or apply various other filters.

Shapes

The print software allows you take a rectangular image and change the shape to a heart, an oval, a star or other shape, or to create a custom shape.

Adjust Quality

The ability to adjust image quality should include contrast adjustments, sharpness adjustments, brightness adjustments and red-eye correction.

Crop & Resize

Cutting unwanted portions off the image.

Color Adjustments

Moderately or strongly change the color intensity of an image by adding more green, yellow, red, pink, blue or light blue to the image. Some print software programs will allow you to make a negative.

Image Rotation

The ability to rotate and flip the image horizontally or vertically.

Graphic Support

PCD

Kodak PhotoCD format.

EPS

Encapsulated PostScript format.

EMF

Enhanced Metafile format.

PCX

An image format capable of 1, 4, 8 or 24 bits per pixel.

WMF

Windows Metafile format.

BMP

Bitmap format, most often used by Microsoft Windows.

TIFF

Tagged Image File format.

GIF

Graphic Interchange format, a common file format for graphic images.

TGA

Targa format.

DIB

Device Independent Bitmap format.

WPG

WordPerfect metafile format.

PNG

Portable Network Graphic format.

IMG

Image file that is loaded as part of a webpage.

JPEG

Joint Photographic Experts Group format.

RLE

Run-Length Encoding format.

Text Tools

Fonts

The complete set of characters in a typeface.

Font Browser

Allows you to view and install fonts other than standard, preinstalled fonts for use in your print software program.

Text Effects

Allows you to add shapes or stretch text for a unique appearance.

Text Rotation

Allows you to rotate text in any direction.

Adjustable Spacing

The ability to adjust text spacing (such as very loose, tight and very tight).

Attatch Sound

Allows you to attach sound to the text.

Help/Support

Updates

Print software should allow you to check for new updates right from the control panel.

Email Support

An easy-to-find email address should be offered for customer support.

Phone Support

Print software should have a phone contact number. The phone support should have convenient business hours and no fee.

Help Content

The documentation supplied with the print software should be thorough and the index/search functions should be intuitive.

Tutorials

Print software should offer tutorials, and these tutorials should be useful and relevant.

FAQs

The print software’s website should include a section of frequently asked questions and answers about the print software.

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