| M weight |
| The actual weight of 1000 sheets of any given size of paper. |
| Machine Coated |
| Paper that has had a coating applied to either one or two of its sides during the papermaking process. |
| Machine Direction |
| An alternate term for grain direction. |
| Machine Finish |
| A paper finish that results from the interaction of the paper with the Fourdrinier process as opposed to post machine embossing. Reference, Fourdrinier |
| Magnetic Black |
| Black pigments containing black iron oxides, used for magnetic ink character recognition. |
| Make Rready |
| Process of adjusting final plate on the press to fine tune or modify plate surface. |
| Margin |
| Imprinted space around edge of page. |
| Mark-up |
| To write up instructions, as on a dummy. |
| Mask |
| The blocking out of a portion of the printing plate during the exposure process. A photo negative or positive used in the color separation process to color correct. |
| Match Print |
| Photographic proof made from all color flats and form composite proof showing color quality as well as accuracy, layout, and imposition before plates are made. |
| Matte Finish |
| A coated paper finish that goes through minimal calendaring. Reference, calendaring. |
| Measure |
| The width of type as measured in picas. Reference, picas. |
| Mechanical |
| A term used to describe finished artwork that is camera ready for reproduction, including all type, photos, illustrations etc. |
| Metropolitan Service Area |
| A group of ZIP codes usually in close proximity defining a large metropolitan area (e.g. New York City or Los Angeles). |
| Midtone Dot |
| Commonly taken as the area between highlight and shadow area of a subject's face in halftone image. |
| Moire |
| An undesirable halftone pattern produced by the incorrect angles of overprinting halftone screens. |
| Molleton |
| A cotton fabric used on the dampening rollers of a printing press. |
| Molybdate Orange |
| An ink pigment made from precipitating lead molybdate, lead sulfate and lead chromate. |
| Mottle |
| A term used to describe spotty or uneven ink absorption. |
| Mull |
| Coarse muslin glue placed on the back of book or pads for strengthening. |
| Mullen Testing |
| A specific test of tensile paper strength; an important factor if web presses are used for printing. |
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