An imposition and printing layout where one side of the paper is printed with one set of plates, and the reverse side is printed with a completely different set of plates. This requires changing the form or plates on the press between passes. It is standard for long book runs where maximizing the number of unique pages per sheet is necessary.
Heard on the job
We're laying out this signature sheetwise, so make sure the backup plates are ready for the second pass.
Also heard as
- work and back
Related terms
Imposition
The arrangement of pages on a press sheet to ensure correct order after folding and trimming.
Signature
A large printed sheet folded multiple times to form a sequential section of a book.
Perfecting
The process of printing on both sides of a sheet or web of paper in a single pass through the press.