What is Head to Head Printing?
Depending on the print project, a paper sheet could be
printed on only one side or it could be printed on both sides. A sheet printed
on only one side is referred to as Single-sided, 1-sided, or Simplex printing. Likewise,
a sheet printed on both sides is referred to as Double-sided, 2-sided, or
Duplex printing.
Head to Head is a term associated with Double-sided printing
In the printing industry, the top of a printed sheet is
known as the Head. Thus, Head to Head printing refers to a double-sided sheet that
has the Head (top) of side one and the Head (top) of side two printed on the
same end of the sheet. In other words, when the two sides are printed back to
back, the directional orientation of side one will match the directional
orientation of side two. Refer to Image A.
Head to Head vs Head to Toe Printing
The opposite of Head to Head printing is Head to Toe
Printing. Also known as Head to Foot printing, Head to Toe printing refers to a
double-sided sheet that has the Head (top) of side one and the Toe or Foot (bottom) of side two printed on the same end of the sheet. In other words, when the two sides are
printed back to back, the directional orientation of side one will be opposite the
directional orientation of side two. Refer to Image B.
The vast majority of double-sided projects print Head to
Head, but certain projects need to be printed Head to Toe. The most common example of Head to Toe printing is multi-page
wall calendars. The bound sheets of wall calendars generally flip up or down instead of right or left. Thus, they need to be printed Head to Toe so the pages will be oriented correctly after they
are flipped.
Color Vision can assist with just about any printing
need you may have. Just give us a call at 800-543-6299 to discuss your project.
Or, if you already know your specifications and would like a quote, you can submit
our simple Quote Request form by clicking here. As always, we look forward to hearing
from you!
Related Articles
What is the Gutter of a Book?
The Gutter refers to the space between two facing pages of an open book. It is the area where the left side pages and the right side pages meet near the spine.
Read This Article
The Difference between a Brochure and a Pamphlet
Referring to a brochure as a pamphlet, or vice versa, rarely causes any serious confusion. However, it doesn't hurt to know how these two printed pieces differ.
Read This Article
Printing Terminology: Sheet Fed Press vs Web Press
Sheet Fed Presses and Web Presses are two distinct types of presses used in the printing industry. This article explains the key differences between the two…
Read This Article
What is Print Collateral?
Print Collateral is a blanket term that refers to the various printed materials a business or organization might use as part of its marketing and sales efforts.
Read This Article
Printing Registration: A Key Factor in High-Quality Printing
Precise Registration is a requirement for high-quality printing. If the inks used for printing are out of register, images and text can appear fuzzy or blurred.
Read This Article
Printing Terminology: What is “Artwork” in Printing?
There are many Printing and Graphic Design terms whose meaning is not immediately clear to people outside these fields. The term “Artwork” is a good example.
Read This Article
Offset Printing: What is Make Ready?
“Make-Ready” is critical to the success of Offset printing jobs. This article explains the important tasks performed during the Make Ready process...
Read This Article
What are PDF files? Why do Printing Companies prefer them?
A PDF file captures the original formatting of an electronic document and allows it to be shared across multiple platforms and software applications.
Read This Article
Direct Mail Marketing: What are Postal Indicia?
The postal regulations governing Commercial Mailings and Indicia use can be overwhelming. Don’t go it alone - let Color Vision handle the printing and mailing.
Read This Article
What is a Print Ready File?
Submitting artwork files that are “Print Ready” helps to avoid production delays and ensures your print projects will turn out exactly as intended. Learn more…
Read This Article
Aqueous Coating vs UV Coating: Understanding the Differences
Though Aqueous and UV coatings are both used to enhance the durability and appearance of printed pieces, there are several key differences between the two…
Read This Article
What is the meaning of “Opacity” in regard to Paper?
A paper's opacity is rarely a concern for projects printed on one side only. However, opacity is an important consideration for projects printed on both sides.
Read This Article
Printing Terminology: What is Sequential Numbering?
Sequential Numbering is a finishing step that prints numbers, in consecutive order, onto printed pieces. This allows each piece to be uniquely identified.
Read This Article
Custom Book Printing: What is Wire-O Binding?
Wire-O Binding is a very popular binding style. It uses a pre-formed spine element that is made of rigid metal wire. Discover all the Features and Benefits…
Read This Article
Printing Terminology: What is Grayscale?
Unlike Full-Color images that are created from multiple colors of ink, the Grayscale technique creates detailed images using varying shades of gray.
Read This Article
Paper Specifications: What does Caliper mean?
When referring to the specifications of a paper stock, the thickness of a single sheet is known as the paper’s “Caliper.”
Read This Article
Printing Terminology: What is Rich Black?
Rich Black adds percentages of Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow to Black ink. Using all four CMYK ink colors creates a deeper and darker tone than using Black ink by itself.
Read This Article
Self-Published Books: What is an ISBN number? Do I need one?
An ISBN number is the universally accepted format for book identification. These numbers are often a requirement for books that will be sold commercially.
Read This Article
Paper Weights explained: The meaning of Paper Basis Weight
Each category of paper has a basic size from which a paper’s basis weight is figured. The basis weight of a paper is based on the weight of 500 sheets in its basic size.
Read This Article
Printing Terminology: What is Blind Embossing?
Blind Embossing is a creative finishing technique that presses images or text into a paper substrate, without the use of any ink, metallic foil, or spot clear coat as an enhancement.
Read This Article
What is Saddle Stitch Binding?
Saddle Stitching is one of the most widely used binding methods. Though simple and inexpensive, it adds a very professional appearance and function to printed books.
Read This Article
Custom Book Printing: What is Perfect Binding?
Perfect Binding is a popular bookbinding method for creating softcover books. Perfect Bound books have a very impressive appearance yet are quite economical.
Read This Article
What is Reverse Printing?
Printing text or graphics as a Reverse is a creative design technique where the background color is printed but the actual text or graphic is left unprinted.
Read This Article
Why is the color Black designated by the letter "K" in CMYK?
If you have ever wondered why the Black ink color is represented by the letter "K" in the CMYK abbreviation, this article will shed some light on that for you.
Read This Article
Printing and Finishing: What is a Flood Coat?
A Flood Coat refers to any coating - such as a varnish, aqueous or UV coating, ink, adhesive solution, etc. - that is applied over an entire surface of a paper sheet, cardstock, label stock or other substrate.
Read This Article
Book Printing: What are Crossover Images?
Instead of a typical layout where images are confined to one page or the other, a Crossover Image flows from the left page to the right page of an open book.
Read This Article
Graphic Design and Printing: What is a Native File?
A Native File refers to the file format in which a document or artwork layout was originally created. It contains all the elements that make up the design.
Read This Article
What is the Spine of a Book?
As its name implies, a book's spine truly is its backbone. Hence, the spine is one of the most important components of a bound book. Read more...
Read This Article
What is a Self Cover Booklet?
Instead of using a heavier stock for the cover, the cover and pages of a Self Cover booklet are printed on the exact same paper stock. This allows for more efficient production and a lower unit cost.
Read This Article
Printing Terminology: What is Spot UV?
Spot UV is a special design technique that uses a clear gloss coating to highlight specific areas within a design layout.
Read This Article
Printing Terminology: What is Die Cutting?
Die Cutting is a finishing technique that uses sharp steel blades to cut specific shapes, patterns, and designs in paper, cardstock, or other printed substrates.
Read This Article
What is UV Coating?
UV Coating is a clear top coat that enhances the durability and appearance of print materials. It is applied as a liquid and then dried using Ultraviolet light.
Read This Article
Printing Terminology: What is Color Separation?
Color Separation allows full-color images to be accurately reproduced on a printing press. It is a necessary prepress step for both Offset and Digital printing.
Read This Article
What is a Pantone Color?
The term "Pantone Color" is a reference to one of the 2,000+ colors within the Pantone Matching System, the worldwide standard for color matching. Read more...
Read This Article
What is Commercial Printing?
Commercial Printing is the largest segment of the printing industry. Despite its predominance, not everybody knows what the term "Commercial Printing" means.
Read This Article
What is Aqueous Coating?
In addition to providing a layer of protection over the ink and paper substrate, an Aqueous Coating can enhance the appearance and texture of printed pieces.
Read This Article
Saddle Stitch Binding: What is Creep?
Creep refers to the incremental shifting of pages that occurs when binding a Saddle-Stitched book. How far each page shifts outward is based on the thickness of the paper being used.
Read This Article
What is 2-Up Printing, 4-Up Printing, N-Up Printing, etc.?
In printing, terms like 2-Up, 4-Up, 10-Up, etc. are used to reference how many pages or images are designed to print during a single press impression.
Read This Article
What is Digital Printing?
Digital Printing is a broad term used for any printing process that outputs electronic images directly onto a substrate. Most digital printing presses operate with either laser or inkjet technology.
Read This Article
What is a “Spot” Color?
Also known as a PMS Color or Pantone Color, a Spot Color refers to a color that is created from a specific ink formula...as opposed to a color that is created with the CMYK printing process.
Read This Article
What is Offset Printing?
Invented over a century ago, Offset Printing is still the most widely used commercial printing method in the world today. It is also the most economical choice for printing medium to long production runs.
Read This Article
Printing Proofs: Soft Proofs vs Hard Proofs
A Proof is an essential component of the printing process because it ensures the client and printer are in total agreement about the desired outcome.
Read This Article
Printing Terminology: What is DPI?
DPI is a measure of an image's resolution, or level of detail. An image with a high DPI has more visual clarity and sharpness than an image with a low DPI.
Read This Article
Printing Terminology: Embossing vs Debossing
The terms Embossing and Debossing refer to finishing techniques that add a three-dimensional effect to paper and cardstock.
Read This Article
What is 4/4 Printing, 4/1 Printing, and 4/0 Printing?
Printing specifications include the ink colors as well as the ink placement. These two specs can be easily conveyed using terms like 4/4, 4/1, and 4/0.
Read This Article
Printing Terminology: What is CMYK?
CMYK is an abbreviation for the four ink colors used to create full-color printing. By using just these four inks, approximately 16,000 color variations can be produced.
Read This Article
Printing Terminology: Recto and Verso
Originating from Latin, Recto and Verso are terms used within the printing and publishing industries to indicate the relative placement of content on a sheet.
Read This Article
Printing Terminology: What is Paper Grain?
Wood pulp fibers align during the paper manufacturing process. This gives paper a directional grain, which can affect certain folding and binding operations.
Read This Article
What does Collate mean in Printing?
Collating refers to how printed documents are organized. Collated printing is arranged in a specific order. Uncollated printing is not arranged in any particular order.
Read This Article
What is Synthetic Paper?
Synthetic paper will print and fold just like traditional paper, but it is much more durable. Synthetic paper is also completely waterproof and resists stains.
Read This Article
Printing Terminology: Simplex vs Duplex Printing
Simplex Printing and Duplex Printing are industry terms used to describe whether a paper sheet or other substrate is printed on one side or both sides.
Read This Article
What is Head to Head Printing?
Head to Head is a term associated with Double-sided printing. It refers to how each side of the sheet is oriented to the other when printed back to back.
Read This Article
Printing Terminology: What does Preflighting mean?
Graphic Designers and Commercial Printers preflight artwork files to identify and correct issues that might prevent the files from printing properly.
Read This Article
Plastic Comb Books: What does the "Comb" refer to?
Plastic Comb Binding uses a pre-formed spine that resembles a long cylinder. The cylindrical spine has curved tines along its entire length.
Read This Article
What is C1S Paper and C2S Paper?
If you see the terms C1S or C2S on a quote or specification for a print project, it indicates how the paper has been coated at the paper mill.
Read This Article