Studio Task: "Design For Print" Workshops

In our Summer Brief Groups, we had to debate the question "What Is Design For Print?"

Group 5 List of "What Is Design For Print?"

We made a list of perceptions and options that we would consider as part of this debate. The list reads:

• Physical Products (Printed on Stock)- Books, Packaging, ect
• Interactivity with the Audience/ Consumer
• Processes- Screen Print, Letterpress, ect.
• CMYK, Ink, Consider Changes from On Screen
• Layout/ Composition- Font Size, Legibility
• Promotion/ Distribution/ Inform/ Advertise
• Scale
• Quantity/ Cost
• Medium
• What is it For? (Purpose/ Audience)
• Resolution
• Image (and/or) Type

As Group 5, we came up with our own group definition as to the term 'Design For Print'

"Design For Print is a range of design processes and considerations that lead to a physical printed product/ outcome on stock"

From this, we then had to identify and list as many different processes for Design for Print as we could think of.

Group 5 List of Print Processes 

The list reads:

• Foiling
• Screen Printing
• Vinyl Cut
• Engraving
• Monoprint
• Lino Cut
• Thermography (Raised Printing)
• Letterpress
• Embossing
• Spot Varnish
• Intaglio
• Woodblock
• Digital Print
• Laser Cutting
• Reprographics
• 3D Printing
• Heat Transfer
• Lithography

Study Task:

From the list we have made, we have to select 3 processes that we would like to try this year:

• Screen Printing- I've only had an induction for screen printing and I would like to build on this. I like the different colours that can be produced so that they are unique and I think it would give more of an organic aesthetic to my designs.
• Embossing- I liked to try embossing this year as the texture and shadow that this can give to a piece of work as it has been pressed into the stock, either by raising the image or by sinking the image, would give my work more definition.
• Spot Varnish- I'd like to try a spot varnish alongside the other 2 processes as I think it would enhance the overall visual quality of my work. The fact that there is several types of varnish that you can use would allow for me to do some experimentation with my work and develop my skills by seeing the effects of different varnish on my work.

As a year group, we then went onto discussing the different catagories associated with aspects of Design for Print.  These are:

• Format
• Colour
• Production
• Process
• Finishing
• Stock

For the next session, we need to come up with 2 examples for each of the categories of Design for Print. I decided to include a Design Inspiration for each one to show the visual effect that a consideration for that category can produce:

Format

Format alludes to the way a design is physically arranged or planned but it can also reference the way information is shown, arranged and stored. Format can also reference the format of information stored on the computer, e.g.. pdf.

1. Business Cards

"Business Cards"

Graphics and Print (2013) "Business Card" [Internet] Available from http://www.graphicsandprint.com/design/business-cards (Accessed 2nd October 2013)

Business cards are small, traditionally rectangular pieces of card that are usually direct, formal and to the point in purpose as they bare information about a particular individual.

"Experimental Business Cards" (2012) by Gabe Ferreira 

Ferriera, G. (2012) "Experiemental Business Cards" [Internet] Available from http://www.behance.net/gallery/Experimental-Business-Cards/5515071 (Accessed 4th October 2013)

The laser-cut design for the business cards creates a whole new dimension as it manipulates the traditional format of the business card and makes it individual for the user. The format combines the medium and context within the design so it reflects the information necessary for the audience.

2. Leaflet

"Leaflets"

Graphics and Print (2013) "A4 Folding Leaflet Printing" [Internet] Available from http://www.graphicsandprint.com/blog-post/a4-folded-leaflet-printing-the-advantages-of-folding (Accessed 2nd October 2013)

A leaflet can be used as a printed advertisement as a way of presenting quick bursts of information, which can be printed as one offs or in bulk. They can be produced on different scales and different layouts, one or double sided in print.

"I Love Ice Cream" (2013) by Simon Laliberte

Laliberte, S. (2013) "I Love Ice Cream" [Weblog] The Behance Network 4th September Available from http://www.behance.net/gallery/I-Love-Ice-Cream/9484901 (Accessed 4th October 2013) 

This design idea of having a concertina folding leaflet gives an fun and memorable appeal. The fact that the format of the leaflet is appropriate to the ice cream advertising, like the ice cream has been piled up onto the cone, makes for a lasting impression onto the audience.

Colour

In regards to print, the colour format that is used is CMYK whether that be for digital printing or some physical printing methods.

1. Four/Full Colour Printing

"Colour Separation"

Bann, D. (2006) "The All New Print Production Handbook", 1st ed., Switzerland: Rotovision, p37

Full Colour Print is when each of the four process colours, Yellow, Magenta, Cyan and Black, are printed separately on 4 different plates on top of each other so the colours combined to create a full colour effect.

"15/115- 15 Years, 15 Projects Book" (2013) by Mash Creative

Mash Creative (2013) "15/115- 15 Years, 15 Projects Book" [Weblog] The Behance Network 31st May Available from http://www.behance.net/gallery/15115-15-Years-115-Projects-Book/9043067 (Accessed 3rd October 2013) 

This book has been printed using a full colour throughout, producing a consistent and fluid aesthetic which then enhances the quality of the book.

2. Spot Colour Printing

"Mixing Inks"

Bann, D. (2006) "The All New Print Production Handbook", 1st ed., Switzerland: Rotovision, p138

Spot Colour Printing is printing one colour at a time, layering each colour onto the stock one by one. This is usually suitable for a one or two colour print job which doesn't require full colour imagery. This can allow for mixing inks by hand and creates a colour palette which is unique to the designer or studio (a House Colour) as well as producing perfect prints of colours which would not be created through digital means, such as neon colours or metallic shades.

"Design Variety" (2013) by Amber Asay

Asay, A (2013) "Design Variety" [Internet] Available from http://cargocollective.com/amberasay/Design-Variety (Accessed 3rd October 2013)

The mixing of a gold ink to go alongside the monochromatic colour scheme creates an emphasis on the promotional material, giving it more of a flourish in the detail and thus creating a higher end product due to the quality its exudes.

Production


Production is the amount of something that is produced by a process as well as the amount of processes that happen in regards to producing the design. This can be on a small scale (Limited Edition/One Off) or large scale (Mass Produced).

1. Mass Production

"Paper Feeding Through a Web-Fed Press"

Bann, D. (2006) "The All New Print Production Handbook", 1st ed., Switzerland: Rotovision, p86-87

This form of production is usually very fast and constant as it is used for when a product is high in demand and there is a lot of units needed. Mass Production is usually done by machine as it is usually faster and more precise.

"McCoy's Man Crisps" (2013) by BTL Brands

The Dieline (2013) "Before & After: McCoy's Man Crisps" [Weblog] The Dieline 23rd September Available from http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2013/9/23/before-after-mccoys-man-chips.html (Accessed 5th October 2013)

The nature and purpose of this packaging design would mean that it would have to be mass produced to cope with the demand for this brand of crisps as they are sold on a global basis.

2. Limited Edition

"Prints" (2013) by Mikaela Lilhops

Lilhops, M (2013) "Prints" [Weblog] The Behance Network 10th September Available from http://www.behance.net/gallery/Prints/10840739 (Accessed 6th October 2013)

Limited edition is a number of prints created from an original piece of work that includes only a set amount of prints. Usually the print will be signed with a number to state which of that number it is, e.g.. 20/200 to add to the monetary value of the print.

"2012 Monster Calendar" (2012) by Ross Moody

Moody, R. (2012) "2012 Monster Calendar"[Weblog] The Behance Network 1st January Available from http://www.behance.net/gallery/2012-Monster-Calendar/2775197 (Accessed 6th October 2013)

This calendar was screenprinted and only 200 prints were made which makes it a limited edition run. This may have been to keep costs down as well as keep the product amount low just in case it doesn't sell well, acting as a tester to judge whether any more need to be made or the success of the product.

Process

Process is the way or method that something is printed in order to achieve the design

1. Screenprinting

"Printing Processes: Screenprinting"

artsmia (2008) "Printing Processes: Screenprinting" [Youtube] 24th June Available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wogKeYH2wEE (Accessed 4th October 2013)

Screenprinting is a popular printing process where a stencil of a design is put onto a screen and ink is pulled across a screen using a squeegee in order to transfer an image onto the necessary medium. This can be done one or more times and through this process you can create full colour prints using CMYK or mix own choice colours to produce a specific colour palette.

"Harry Potter Screenprints" (2013) by Stephanie ShaferShafer, S. (2013) "Harry Potter Screenprints" [Weblog] The Behance Network 3rd February Available from http://www.behance.net/gallery/Harry-Potter-Screenprints/6982571 (Accessed 4th October 2013)

This beautiful poster series of screenprints are printed onto a large scale matte paper to make the inked colours stand out. The colour choices are specific to the designs whilst at the same time, the minimal yet bold colour choices make for a strong, easily identifiable set of posters.
2. Relief Printing

"Printing Processes: Relief"

artsmia (2008) "Printing Processes: Relief" [Youtube] 24th June Available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0skLwaFpn0 (Accessed 4th October 2013)

Relief printing is by carving or cutting out an image onto a block of material, leaving some areas raised so that they create an outline whilst having carved out the blank, empty space. Ink is then applied to the roller and pressed onto the raised areas of the material so that when it is printed, only the raised areas with ink on are left visible. It can be hand printed or print pressed and the block itself can be reused and manipulated to change the design of the image, however, more can only be taken away and not added to.

"Team Zissou Linocut" (2012) by John C. Thurbin

Thurbin, J. C. (2012) "Team Zissou Linocut" [Weblog] The Behance Network 4th July Available from http://www.behance.net/gallery/Team-Zissou-Linocut/4427731 (Accessed 4th October 2013)

The detail produced on this design is due to the texture that the relief print has created -the way that the different line thicknesses and the raised areas create more depth to the print making the image seem very organic.

Finishing

These are usually actions undertaken after printing. Finishing is when you have produced the design and wish to affect the outcome of the print by adding an effect to the design to enhance it in some way, whether that be aesthetically or practically, such as by adding varnishes or considering binding options.

1. Embossing

"Embossing"

Graphics and Print (2013) "Embossing" [Internet] Available from http://www.graphicsandprint.com/printing/embossing (Accessed 2nd October 2013)

Embossing raises an area on a paper or board to make it stand out from the background. This can be done using two dies which are heated before being stamped onto the surface, called colour register embossing. Another option is to blind emboss which raises the image but doesn't include colour. The opposite to this is debossing which sinks the design rather than raises it.

"Crocodile 60th Anniversary A/W Catalog" (2012) by Ken Lo

Lo, K. (2012) "Crocodile 60th Anniversary A/W Catalog" [Weblog] The Behance Network 27th October Available from http://www.behance.net/gallery/Crocodile-60th-Anniversary-AW-Catalog/5689257 (Accessed 2nd October 2013)

The use of the embossing on this catalog adds to the overall finish of the print as it gives it a sincere aura of quality due to the additional textured aesthetic. This in turn creates an impression of being high class and luxurious.

2. Perfect Binding

"Perfect Binding"

Graphics and Print (2013) "Perfect Binding" [Internet] Available from http://www.graphicsandprint.com/printing/perfect-binding (Accessed 2nd October 2013)

Perfect binding is when you attach a paper cover using an adhesive to cover the spine of the book, using a machine to clamp the pages together so that there is an equal amount of cover on each side whilst connecting the pages together.

"Daily Planners and Notebooks" (2012) by Julia Kostreva

Kostreva, J (2012) "Daily Planners And Notebooks" [Internet] Available from http://www.juliakostreva.com/pages/portfolio (Accessed 2nd October 2013)

These notebooks have been brought together by using a perfect binding which gives the impression of the edge of the pages being seamless as well as supported. The use of the disconnected colour for the binding gives it more of a standing as it highlights its presence within the structure of the printed book.

Stock

Stock is the selection and consideration of the media or material that the design is going to be printed onto.

1. Paper

"Newsprint"
Bann, D. (2006) "The All New Print Production Handbook", 1st ed., Switzerland: Rotovision, p128

Traditionally, printing is usually done on paper with the choice usually depends on the purpose, use, aesthetic and intention of the actual design. Paper is generally classified by its weight (thickness) and what coating it has which can have an effect upon the outcome of the overall design and its presentation. They can be as light as newsprint or as thick as board to print on.

"Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Newsprint" (2013) by Matthew Moran

Moran, M (2013) "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Newsprint"[Weblog] The Behance Network 27th June Available from http://www.behance.net/gallery/Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-Newsprint/9547225 (Accessed 3rd October 2013)

The choice of newsprint for this design is appropriate to the needed aesthetic and intention of the design. This produces an off-white, light weight printed product which encompasses the need to produce information quickly yet is strong enough to be able to withstand constant reading from the public.

2. Material Stock

BDA London (2013) "Hands On In Berlin" [Internet] Available from http://www.bdalondon.com/hands-on-in-berlin/ (Accessed 3rd October 2013)

In order to produce a larger range of products, it is possible to print onto materials and objects in order to transfer the design onto the wider variety of products. This ensures versatility of the print process as it allows for a wider and diverse range of products, such as t-shirts and tote bags.

"Flower Apple Mini Tote" (2011) by Jane Foster

Foster, J. (2011) "New Flower Apple Mini Tote Bags" [Weblog] Available from http://janefosterblog.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/new-mini-apple-flower-tote-goody-bags.html (Accessed 3rd October 2013)

These canvas tote bags have been screen printed highlighting how the process has produced a strong, brightly coloured identity using a more unconventional material.

Preparatory Task:

For the next session, we need to collect 5 different physical objects/ different examples of printed things.

5 Examples of Printed Things

I have found:

• Tote Bag
• Editorial/ Publication
• 7" Vinyl Covers
• Chocolate Packaging
• Business Cards/ Loyalty Cards

Following this, for our next Studio session, we had to discuss as a group the 6 categories that were mentioned at the end of the last session, drawing on the research that we had learned and passing it onto the rest of the group.

Group Discussion List

As a group, we bullet-pointed the points that we discussed. The list reads:

• Format- Size, Shape and Form. Arrangement of Information. Layout and Interactivity.
• Colour- CMYK/ Full Colour, Monocolour, Spot Colour
• Production- From Start to Finish the collection of Processes, Action Plan to produce Final Resolution
• Process- Way or Method something is produced in order to achieve the design, e.g.. Linoprint, Relief, Debossing, Laser cut, Screenprint
• Finishing- Affecting the design by adding to it to enhance the outcome, e.g.. binding options, varnishes and glosses, packaging
• Stock- Print choice of material and media for the resolution to be printed on, e.g.. different papers and printed objects

Then, as a year group, we went onto discussing what each group had and coming up with and forming our own definitions for the categories.

What is:

• Format- Scale, Size and Working within that
• Colour- Colour Modes, Hues, Function, ext.
• Production- The Actual Making of it
• Process- The Method
• Finishing- Production and Process
• Stock- Substrates for Printing Considerations (Cost) 

What we noticed is that all the categories are interlinked together as you can't have one without another due to them overlapping.

Using the 5 different physical objects of printed things that we had each found, the group had to organise and separate the objects into the different categories:

Formats

The Formats are split into: Vinyl Covers, Bags, Packaging, Business Cards, Magazines, Catalogues, Books, Leaflets, Limited Editions.

We split them in this way as we felt it was clearer to see by using the purposes of the formats due to the varying sizes and shapes. This way it is easier to see the differences between objects of the same purpose.

Colour

The Colours are split into: Black and White, 1 Colour Plus Stock, 2 and 3 Colour, Full Colour.

We decided to split them in this way due to the fact that most of the colour choices were either full colour or 1 colour plus stock. We did have a debate within the group on whether something is 2 colour printed based on the ink colour and stock colour combined but then we decided that it would be just one as only one ink is used.

Production

Production is split into: Mass Produced, Bespoke and Short Run

We split them in this way as those are the different areas of print production in regards to the amount and the scale of the operation, whether that be a small amount of prints or a large amount of prints.

Process

Process is split into: Screenprinting, Letterpress, Digital Print, Foiling and Finishing

We split them based on the print process that had been used and comparing them with the other objects.

Cost

Cost runs from Low End (Closest) to High End (Furthest Away).

We split them based on the amount of colour inks that had been used (the cheaper being just one colour), the stock choice (thinner stock being cheaper) and whether it had been mass produced or bespoke (mass produced being cheaper). We noticed that the higher quality stuff was more expensive to produce.

Subjects/Areas

We were then asked to split them into there Subjects/ Areas/ Purpose: Branding and Identity, Packaging and Promotion, Publishing and Editorial and Information and Way Finding.

From what we had learnt from the last 2 exercises, we had to think of some things that we didn't know and would like to find out about aspects of print:

• How are Receipts Printed?
• Can using a Typewriter be classed as a Method of Printing?
• Can you print onto 3D objects?
• What is the History behind Printing?
• Different Paper Stocks Available to Print on?

Study Task:

We had to go onto researching the questions that we don't know the answers to in order to expand our understanding.

How are Receipts Printed?

"How To Print on Thermal Paper" 

Ouyang, J. (2013) "How To Print on Thermal Paper" [Internet] Available from http://www.thermalpaper4u.com/how-to-print-on-thermal-paper/ (Accessed 11th October 2013)

Receipts are small pieces of paper documenting the details of the nature of a sale. They are usually be printed on one or both sides and will have one side printed at the time of the transaction to record the information from that transaction for future reference.

By using a narrow, thin thermal paper that has a colour changing chemical as the stock for the receipt, the information can be burnt on by heating up the paper in a pin-point location on the paper and by turning the infused ink chemical black. By using a pin-point heat source, this allows for clarity of characters and letterforms.

Can using a Typewriter be classed as a Method of Printing?

"Typewriter"
Bedi, R. (2013) "Indian High Commission returns to Typewriters" [Weblog] The Telegraph 27th September Available from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/10339111/Indian-High-Commission-returns-to-typewriters.html (Accessed 11th October 2013)

The definition of a typewriter is a machine that prints ink onto a stock via embossing and produces letters by pressing the individual keys to make words. The ink is on a ribbon which is struck by the typewriter keys which transfers the shape of the letterform onto the media. Each typewriter has its own individual printing pattern which makes it easier to determine the type of typewriter used so it is able to be tracked.

Altogether yes, a Typewriter is a method of printing.

Can you print onto 3D objects?

"Pad Printing" by Coatings Applications

Coating Applications (2009) "Silkscreen and Pad Printing" [Internet] Available from http://coatingsapp.com/process-silkandpad.html (Accessed 11th October 2013)

Printing onto a 3D shape is very difficult to do but it is possible through a process called Pad Printing. Pad Printing is when a flat, printed plate engraved with the design is inked up and pressed into a silicon rubber pad. The pad is then printed onto the 3D object, transferring the design onto the object- This is an indirect form of gravure printing as it applies a 2D design onto a 3D surface.

"Pad Printing- How It's Done" (2010) by TGAA

TGAA (2010) "Pad Printing-n How It's Done" [Youtube] 10th February Available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nS4-X_KBd7A (Accessed 11th October 2013)

I felt that this video showed that you didn't have to be stuck using just one colour process and how the machines can be set up to produce a wide range of colour ranges.

What is the History behind Printing?

"Brief History of Printing Infographic" (2012) by Solopress

Haynes, R. (2012) "Brief History of Printing Infographic"[Internet] Available from http://blog.solopress.com/printing/brief-history-of-printing-infographic/ (Accessed 17th October 2013)

Printing as a process was first adopted by Korean and Japanese Buddhists in the 8th Century where they would print using wooden blocks. The first known book to be produced was called 'The Diamond Sutra', a printed scroll glued together from 868AD.

The first major breakthrough in printing was the invention of the Printing Press in 1440 by Johann Guttenberg which allowed for mass printing of publications, which at the time was mainly the Bible. Before this, Priests, Monks and Scribes would hand write the contents of the books for every page.

In the last few years, from the development of Computers and Digital means, the development of the Inkjet Printer, Laser Printer and Digital Printer has influenced how fast printing can be done as well as allowing for printing to be available to everybody.

"Brief History of Printing Infographic" (2012) by Solopress

Haynes, R. (2012) "Brief History of Printing Infographic"[Internet] Available from http://blog.solopress.com/printing/brief-history-of-printing-infographic/ (Accessed 17th October 2013)

This info-graphic gives a very brief and simple overview into the History and Development of Printing over time.

Different Paper Stocks Available to Print on?

"Do- Si- Do Diary" (2013) by Penny

Penny (2013) "Do- Si- Do Diary" [Weblog] Rats As Big As Cats May Available from http://ratsasbigascats.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/do-si-diary.html (Accessed 17th October 2013)

Paper Density of a type of Paper is the Mass of a Product per Unit of Area. Paper Density is a measurement of the area density. Paper products that let in little or no light to pass through is considered dense or heavy whereas Paper Products that let some light through are considered lightweight. The thickness of the paper affects what the paper can be used for. Thicker paper is more durable and upmarket the feel yet it is more expensive to use.

In regards to what paper type should be used for what, it is considered that:

• 90-100gsm: Stationary, Text for Magazine and Booklets, Flyers and Brochures
• 120-170gsm: Text for Magazine and Booklets, Flyers and Brochures
• 200-250gsm: Magazine and Book Covers
• 280-420gsm: Cards, Books and Booklet Covers

There are 2 differences between paper types which are Coated or Uncoated. Coated is when paper is coated in an agent to improve the opacity, lustre and colour-absorption by making the surface flat and smooth. By using PCC, China Clay, Pigment or Adhesive, the coating fills the molecules of the fibre in the paper which improves brightness and printing qualities. Uncoated is paper without a coating.

In regards to the Types of Finishes available for Paper Stock:

• Cast Coated: High Gloss Surface
• Glossy: Has gone through a Glazing Process- can be Coated or Uncoated
• Machined Finished: Smooth on both sides
• Lightweight: Thin, coated paper than can be as lightweight as 40gsm
• Matt: Roughness of the surface gives off no light- can be Coated or Uncoated
• Machine Coated: Paper that has coating applied whilst being printed on
• Silk/ Silk Matt: Same qualities as Matt paper- High readability with high image quality

Information from:

• Paper Online (2013) "Types of Finish" [Internet] Available from http://www.paperonline.org/paper-making/paper-production/paper-finishing/types-of-finish (Accessed 17th October 2013)
• Design Pink (2013) "Popular Paper Types and Paper Stocks" [Internet] Available from http://designpink.com.au/paper-types-and-paper-stocks/  (Accessed 17th October 2013)