A print with snap has solids that pop with higher gloss than the unprinted sheet, giving depth and crispness. It is measured roughly as delta gloss, print gloss minus paper gloss, and it shrinks when the sheet is already very glossy or when an absorbent coating swallows the ink vehicle. Dull and matte coated grades are often sold on their high snap.
Heard on the job
Silk sheet looks good, but the solids have no snap, the ink is drying flat on top of it.
Also heard as
- gloss snap
- print snap
- delta gloss
Related terms
Print gloss
Gloss of the printed ink film on a paper, as distinct from the gloss of the bare sheet.
Gloss
The mirror-like shine of a paper or print surface, measured as specular reflectance at a defined angle.
Ink holdout
The ability of a paper surface to keep ink and its vehicle on top instead of absorbing them.