MACRO
(1) A single symbolic programming-language statement that when translated results in a series of machine language statements. (2) A stored list of two or more application commands that when retrieved, replay’s the command to accomplish a task. Macros automate tedious and often-repeated tasks that would otherwise require the user to press several command keys or choose several options from menus.
MAGNETIC CYLINDER
(1) A rotary magnetic cylinder is used along with chemically etched flexible rotary dies. The flexible etched dies are wrapped around the magnetic cylinder. (2) A cylinder used in diecutting that is magnetized to accept and hold in place flexible steel dies. Also used for metal-backed printing plates.
MAGNETIC DIE
A thin, flexible, steel cutting plate that is held on to a base cylinder magnetically. Quite common in EDP label production where identical repeats are frequently used.
MAKEREADY
(1) In letterpress, the building up of the press form so that heavy and light areas print with the correct impression. The sheet that is patched with gummed paper or tape to make the cutting knives cut to a uniform depth. It is placed in position on the cylinder under the jacket. (2) In diecutting, it is the buildup or spotting of a die with a hard material under the die blades to build up areas of the die blade so that the die will provide 100% cutting.
MALLET
A special hammer made of urethane, leather, plastic, etc., to drive steel rule into a steel rule die or slightly adjust the fit of a steel rule die blade to its original specifications.
MANUAL PRESS
Any cutting press that is hand operated without a motor to assist the cutting operation.
MATCHED STEEL COUNTER
A counterplate that exactly matches the creasing rules on it corresponding steel rule die.
MATRIX
Creasing matrix which is used along with a steel rule die to create creases in paper or paperboard.
MECHANICAL PRESS
Delivering a force by mechanical means commonly with the use of a flywheel to generate the cutting cycle of a diepress vs hydraulic cylinders which provide a smoother more constant cutting action.
METAL BLANKING DIE
Otherwise called a male/female die having a male section which entered into the female section of the die creating a shearing action to cut both soft and rigid materials.
MIL
Unit of thickness measurement used for thin materials. 1 mil=0.001 inch=100 gauge.

MIRRORING
Pertains to the display of creation of graphics data that portrays an image in exactly the reverse orientation it originally had. Many computer graphics systems will automatically create mirror image of a graphic entity on the display screen by flipping the entity or drawing on its x-or-y-axis.
MITRE CUT
An end cut on a section of steel rule die stock which places a 45 degree angle onto the end of the blade so that the dieblade will match against another similarly cut piece for a perfect comer.
MITRE KNIVES
The knives in a mitre machine that produce the mitred cut in the steel rule blade.
MULTI-CONTOUR (3D) DIE
A cutting die made with a cutting blade that follows the contour of a part requiring to be cut or trimmed. This type of die is used to trim vacuum formed or thermoformed shapes that have trimming lines that flow over and around raised sections of the piece that was formed over a 3 dimensional configuration.
MULTI-LAYER CUTTING
Many materials are laid up in multiple layers before diecutting. It is not uncommon to lay up many thicknesses of fabric 3 or 4 inches in height and have a die cut through all the layers in one down stroke of a press.
MYLAR
(1) A DuPont trademark for polyester film. Used as a base for graphic image layouts. (2) In offset preparation, a polyester film made by DuPont specifically suited for stripping positives because of its mechanical strength and dimensional stability. Commonly used for die “strike sheets” or “overlays”.