Substrate
A substrate is any stock or material that receives a printed image. This can range from standard paper to more elaborate and unusual materials such as metal, wood and fabric. A colour magazine for example, requires a high-end, art glossy substrate as opposed to a newspaper which uses inexpensive newsprint. The wide range of possible substrates to print upon provides many creative possibilities for designers. A design outcome can be strengthened through the use of stocks as it gives a sense of individuality.
Tip: Use uncoated stock for future overprinting
Metal: Screen print , transfer, die cut
PVC: Screen print, transfer, die cut
Fabric: Screen print, hand painted
Wood: Burnt, screen print, hand painted
Showthrough
Showthrough occurs when ink printed on one side of a page can be seen on the other (non-printed) side - usually determined by the type of substrate. Translucent and absorbent stock are most susceptible to showthrough. A 'vellum' insert adds tactile dimension and allows the image to showthrough - this can create a multi-layered textural effect as different elements build on top of one another.
Imposition
Imposition is the arrangement of a printed publication's pages, in the sequence and position they will appear when printed; before being cut, folded and trimmed. An imposition plan provides a visual guide which we can use to see which pages are printed on the back of what and how the design will look when eventually printed.
Printing pass - Used to describe the movement of a sheet of stock through a printing press.
Tipping-in/on
A tip-in refers to the attachment of a single page into a printed publication by wrapping it around the central fold of a section and gluing along the binding page - if it is shorter than the publication's pages then it needs to be aligned at the top of bottom edge.
Tip: Use of different stocks with tip-ins provides an interesting contrast (see below)
Duplexing
Duplexing refers to the bonding of two substrates to form a single one. This allows a stock to have different colours, textures and finishes on each side. Two duplexed 270gsm boards would produce a 540gsm, for example.
Tip: This creates an interesting finish with business cards (as seen below)
Mama's Sauce business cards
Print: Letterpress
Stock: French Paper, Muscletone Black, 140 lbs and Crane, Lettra, Flourescent White
Colour: 1 spot
Source: mamas-sauce.com
Printing
In short form, printing is 'applying ink to a substrate or stock'. These include: offset lithography, screen printing, gravure (or intaglio), letterpress, hot-metal, lino-cut, thermography, ink-jet, laser printing and so on. There are many variables however, such as the available range of colours alongside cost and limited print runs.
Lithography
The lithography printing process uses a treated metal plate to transfer (offset) a design via a rubber blanket to a stock.
- High volume
- High speed
- Consistent, clean results
Continuous roll of paper allows a higher printing volume A series of screens containing halftone dots are used to replicate the continuous photographic tones in the print process which when printed, give the illusion of a full-colour image. Each screen is offset/angled so the colours do not interfere.
Wash printing
Wash printing is a special technique that allows the most delicate of colours to be applied to a substrate. It uses a heavily diluted ink in order to produce a flat colour. The wash is applied by pre-printing the sheets with a flood-colour of the diluted ink. If this ink were to be printed as part of the four-colour (CMYK) process, it would print as a halftone dot (as aforementioned). Wash printing allows a subtle approach to colour application.
Silk screen printing
Silk-screen printing imposes an image on to a substrate by forcing ink through a screen that contains the design. Although it is a flexible method which allows a design to be applied to many substrates, it is not a high-volume print method as each colour has to dry before another can be applied.
Letterpress
Letterpress is a method of relief printing whereby an inked, raised surface is pressed against the substrate. It was the first form of commercial printing as print-specific terminology derives from this process (in particular in terms of typography). There is often a slight indentation made into the substrate (gives the impression it is slightly embossed). Letterpress can achieve forms of natural defects that create a unique aesthetic.
Thermography
An in-line print finishing process that is used to produce raised lettering on paper substrates. Thermographic powder is deposited on to a sheet of printed paper while the ink is still wet. When the substrate is passed through an oven, it leaves a raised surface with a mottled texture. This produces a tactile finish so people can feel it as awol as see it (this is evident in embossing, also).
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