LO: Assess your understanding of packaging functions PRINTING CONNECTOR STARTER I PICT PD
Learning Objectives BIG PICTURE and Big Question LO: TBAT describe the different printing methods (Grade C) LO: TBAT explain the printing effects (Grade B) LO: TBAT explain the quality control checks on printed products (Grade A)
LO: TBAT describe the different printing methods (Grade C) PRINTING METHODS Graphic products can be printed in a variety of different ways. The designer has to select the printing process that suits their product best. This will depend on the length of the print run, the quality required, the paper or card needed, and the project s budget. The designer will choose from the following printing methods: KEY WORDS: Process, Print Run, Budget
LO: TBAT describe the different printing methods (Grade C) LETTERPRESS Letterpress is one of the oldest forms of industrial printing. Letterpress is known as a relief printing method, because the printing plate is not flat. A printing plate is prepared with the image to be printed raised above the surface of the plate, standing proud of the non-printing area. The raised surface is coated with ink and is then pressed onto the paper. It is an expensive process, as the plate has to be specially made and high quality paper is needed. It is used for high quality books and stationary. KEY WORDS: Relief, Prepared, Raised, Coated, Pressed, Expensive
LO: TBAT describe the different printing methods (Grade C) LITHOGRAPHY Lithography is the most commonly used process in the printing industry. The image is transferred onto the printing plate photographically, using UV light. The plate is washed in a chemical that makes the image area attractive to the oil-based ink. The non-image area is dampened with water to repel the ink. Lithography is used for medium to large print runs because the setup costs are high. KEY WORDS: Transferred, Photographically, Dampened, Set-up
LO: TBAT describe the different printing methods (Grade C) FLEXOGRAPHY Flexography is very similar to letterpress as it uses a relief plate. As the name suggests, the relief plate is made from a flexible material, like rubber. It is used to print on unconventional materials, like polythene for packaging. Flexography is ideal for these surfaces, because the ink is mixed with a solvent that evaporates, causing the ink to dry quickly. Flexography is used on carrier bags and some wallpapers. KEY WORDS: Relief, Flexible, Unconventional, Evaporates
LO: TBAT describe the different printing methods (Grade C) GRAVURE Gravure is used to produce high quality photographic images. It is very good for reproducing fine detail. However, gravure is a very costly process due to the skill needed to manufacture the printing plate. It is the opposite to letterpress the printing areas are in fact lower than the non-printing areas. The image is engraved onto a copper plate, creating cells that are filled with a spirit based ink. The paper is pressed against these cells to produce the image. The ink evaporates quickly once printed. KEY WORDS: Photographic, Engraved, Copper, Spirit, Evaporates
LO: TBAT describe the different printing methods (Grade C) SCREEN PRINTING Screen printing is completely different to any other printing method. It works by forcing ink through a stencil. The stencil shape reflects the image to be printed. The stencil can be made of paper or card and is supported by a fine mesh. The ink is spread over the mesh using a spreader, and then forced through the mesh onto the surface to be printed. Stencils can be made fairly simply, but to create more complex images, a photographic stencil is required. These have to be made by a professional or using a computer. KEY WORDS: Forcing, Stencil, Mesh, Professional
LO: Develop an understanding of Printing Methods Overview KEY WORDS: Forcing, Stencil, Mesh, Professional
LO: TBAT explain the printing effects that are applied onto packaging (Grade B) PRINTING EFFECTS You can add interest and impact to a graphic product by adding a printing effect. There are lots of printing techniques to choose from, but they can restrict your choice of materials and add to the final cost. The designer can choose from the following printing effects: KEY WORDS: Varnishing, Embossing, Laminating
LO: TBAT explain the printing effects that are applied onto packaging (Grade B) VARNISHING Applying varnish to a product has two main functions: Varnishing is done after printing but before any cutting, folding or trimming. There are several different types of varnishing. Oil-based and water-based varnishes are sometimes used, but the most important types of varnishing are spirit varnishing and ultraviolet varnishing. KEY WORDS: Protect, Cutting, Folding, Trimming, Spirit, Ultraviolet
LO: Develop an understanding of Printing effects VARNISHING Applying varnish to a product has two main functions: to protect the product to make the product look better Varnishing is done after printing but before any cutting, folding or trimming. There are several different types of varnishing. Oil-based and water-based varnishes are sometimes used, but the most important types of varnishing are spirit varnishing and ultraviolet varnishing. KEY WORDS: Protect, Cutting, Folding, Trimming, Spirit, Ultraviolet
LO: TBAT explain the printing effects that are applied onto packaging (Grade B) LAMINATING Produces a tough, high gloss finish. The image is sealed between two layers of plastic. It is twice as expensive as varnishing, but the end result is of a lot better quality. HOT LAMINATE COLD LAMINATE KEY WORDS: High Gloss, Expensive Lamination is used for products like menus that need to be easily wiped clean.
LO: TBAT explain the printing effects that are applied onto packaging (Grade B) EMBOSSING Embossing is when a portion of the surface is raised above the surrounding area. It is used for two reasons: The required shape is pressed into the work using a steel die. Embossing can give an expensive, high quality feel. KEY WORDS: Portion, Raised, Impact, Texture, Expensive, Steel Die
LO: TBAT explain the quality control checks on printed products (Grade A) QUALITY CHECKS Quality is essential in all products printed products are no exception. When a document or item is printed, a series of marks are created that allow manufacturers to check that the printing has been done correctly: Registration marks These marks allow printers to check alignment. If the colour plates are aligned properly, the mark will appear black. Colour blocks Allow you to check the colour for correct tone and equal density. KEY WORDS: Registration, Quality
LO: Develop an understanding of Quality checks QUALITY CHECKS KEY WORDS: Registration, Quality
LO: Develop an understanding of Quality checks QUALITY CHECKS KEY WORDS: Registration, Quality
LO: Develop an understanding of Quality checks Exam Questions KEY WORDS: Registration, Quality
LO: Develop an understanding of Quality checks 2010 Exam Questions KEY WORDS: Registration, Quality