The scratch-off glossary.

A working vocabulary for specifying, designing, and campaign-managing custom scratch-off cards, 40 terms across printing, scratch-off mechanics, design, campaign strategy, and sweepstakes compliance.

Terms: 40
Categories: 6
Depth: SME-grade

USA printed7-10 day turnaround

1

Printing

CMYK: The four-color process (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) used in commercial printing.
Pantone: Standardized spot-color system used to match brand colors precisely across print jobs.
GSM: Grams per square meter: the metric measure of paper weight (roughly 250-300 GSM for scratch cards).
C2S (coated two sides): Cardstock coated on both sides, the standard substrate for scratch-off cards.
Variable-data printing (VDP): Digital-print technology that swaps content card-to-card in one press run: names, codes, addresses.
Proof: A pre-production preview of the card sent for approval before printing begins.
Press proof: A physical proof pulled from the actual press run for exact-color sign-off.
MOQ (minimum order quantity): The smallest quantity a printer will run. Mr. Scratch Off's MOQ is 250 cards.
Turnaround: Production time from proof approval to shipment, typically 7-10 business days.
Color match: The process of matching a specified color (Pantone or CMYK build) on press.
RGB: The additive color model used by digital screens, never use for print files.

2

Scratch-off

Scratch-off latex: The opaque UV-cured coating that conceals the reveal until scratched off with a coin or fingernail.
Release coat: The thin coating printed under the scratch latex that allows clean removal without damaging the reveal.
Reveal area: The printed content, text, code, or image, hidden under the scratch panel.
Silver latex: The metallic silver scratch-off ink, the classic metallic look.
Full-color reveal: A scratch-off card with full-CMYK image printed under the panel (vs. text-only reveal).
Classic reveal: A scratch-off card with printed text or a code under the panel, the traditional hidden-text reveal.
Custom-color latex: Scratch-off ink formulated in a brand-matched color rather than classic silver.
Advent calendar: A countdown calendar where each numbered window hides a scratch-off reveal.

3

Design

Bleed: Extra printed area extending past the trim line so background color runs edge-to-edge after cutting.
Safe zone: Interior area 0.125-0.25 inch inside the trim where critical copy, logos, and QR codes should stay.
Trim line: The final cut line where the printed sheet is cut to card size.
Die-cut: Custom card shape cut by a metal die, beyond the standard rectangle.
Perforation: A dotted-cut line allowing part of the card to be torn off cleanly.
Kiss-cut: A cut through the top layer of a laminate or sticker but not through the backing.
Artwork file: The print-ready file (PDF, AI, or PSD at 300 DPI) submitted for production.
300 DPI: Print resolution standard, dots per inch, required for crisp CMYK printing.

4

Campaign & marketing

Prize legend: The printed schedule of prizes and their odds shown on a scratch-off promotion.
Odds calibration: The process of assigning prize odds so the weighted-average redemption cost stays inside campaign budget.
Direct mail: Marketing pieces delivered via USPS to a targeted recipient list.
Postcard rate: USPS's discounted mailing rate for pieces meeting postcard size and thickness limits.
Unique code: A one-of-a-kind alphanumeric printed on each card for redemption tracking.
QR code: A 2D barcode that phones scan to open a URL, often paired with scratch-off panels.
Pledge card (fundraiser): A scratch-off card with 60-100 numbered spots where donors scratch to reveal a pledge amount.
USPS automation rate: The discounted postage rate for direct mail that meets USPS machine-sortable specifications.

5

Compliance & law

No purchase necessary: The alternative-entry method that lets people enter a sweepstakes-style promotion without a purchase. Requirements vary by state.
Official rules: The full legal terms of a sweepstakes-style promotion, referenced on the card and hosted on a website.
Sweepstakes: A promotion where prizes are awarded by chance to entrants who need not pay to enter.

6

Add-ons

Spot UV: A glossy coating applied to specific areas of a printed card for a raised, high-shine accent.
Foil stamp: A metallic foil accent hot-stamped onto a printed card: gold, silver, rose-gold, holographic.

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