The article is devoted to the problem of the formation of the terminological apparatus in the field of Russian graphic design at an early stage of formation: ХIХ - early XX century. The development of graphic design in Russia, as a kind of artistic creation, has been going on for quite some time. This was reflected not only in the historiography of the problem, but also in the development of the conceptual-categorial apparatus, which requires an analysis of historical definitions, identification of their differences and evolution. The very history of the existence of terms related to design graphics provides interesting material for studying changes in the socio-cultural function of certain types of design graphics at different historical stages of the development of national culture. The article pays attention to the features of the use of the concepts of «graphics» and «graphic arts» in the period under review on the pages of industry magazines, in the printing industry, and in encyclopedic publications.