3.2.8/9 commercial processes

Question 1

What does printing do

Answer 1

Printing is used on both paper and boards to improve visual appearance

Question 2

What is offset lithography used for

Answer 2

High volume print runs such as books, magazines and newspapers

Question 3

What’s embossing

Answer 3

when a raised design is created on paper or card. Used to add a high quality finish to luxury cards or paper products. Also used for braille labelling on medicines for the visually impaired

Question 4

Describe processes of offset lithography

Answer 4

Ink rollers and water rolls are rolled onto the printing plate on the printing cylinder. The printing cylinder has relief which takes up the shape of the image. The ink is then transferred onto the blanket cylinder and then the ink is transferred onto paper which is put between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder. It uses the CYMK colours for the printing.

Question 5

What does digital printing include

Answer 5

Inkjet and laser printing. Also uses CYMK four colour process, doesn’t need printing plates

Question 6

What is lamination and what does it do

Answer 6

Provided a thin plastic transparent coating to the surface of printed materials like paper posters or menus.
Provided protection from grease and makes them moisture resistant - easy to wipe spillages off. Can be applied sing or double sided.

Question 7

What’s HV varnishing and what does it do

Answer 7

A gloss or Matt coating or used as spot varnish to make a feature stand out. Eg. The logo on a business card or title on book cover.dried under UV light, so no solvents enter atmosphere

Question 8

Tools which can cut

Answer 8

Rotary paper trimmer, craft knife, scalpel, paper shears, rotary cutting wheel.

Question 9

Tools helping to cut crease score. Etc

Answer 9

Perforating tools - creates perforations to allow easy folding or tearing off of sections. Creasing tool, steel rule

Question 10

Featured of cutting mat

Answer 10

Safe, anti slip. Self healing mat to protect work surfaces

Question 11

What can be used to cut an ornate (complicated) shape and why

Answer 11

Can be cut with a die cutter which will give a clean and repeatable shape. A scalpel also can be used for low production numbers

Question 12

What’s a registration mark and what’s its function

Answer 12

They are printed on the outer edge of a commercially printed item, they are printed using every colour of the CYMK four colour printing process. They tell if printing has been done accurately as colours will overlap eachother and produce an entirely black mark. If printing isn’t accurate, colours will slightly show and be offset

Question 13

What does paint do and how’s it applied

Answer 13

With a brush or roller. Usually needs a primer or undercoat on bare wood. Gives a colour and adds layer of protection against weathering

Question 14

Function of varnish and what is it

Answer 14

It’s transparent and enhances the natural grain of timber. Protects it from moisture. Tends to yellow over time

Question 15

Give two reasons why timber might be protected through an additional treatment or finish

Answer 15

to make sure it doesn’t rot and reduces the chance of a fungal or insect attack. To protect it from wear and tear. Can be made easier to clean

Question 16

Describe process of die cutting

Answer 16

• Sheet of paper or card is fed into die cutter. Paper is sandwiched between the base plate and die cutter. Even pressure is applied to cut out the chosen design. The steel rule die has sharp edges which easily cut through paper and card.

Question 17

Two types of plastics and their differences

Answer 17

Thermoplastics - easy to mould and shape when hot, can be reformed multiple times with heating. Lightweight, strong, waterproof and corrosion resistant
Thermosetting - irreversibly hardened and cannot be reformed, hard, but brittle plastic . Used for electrical components like sockets etc.

Question 18

How does vacuum forming work

Answer 18

Sheet of plastic is heated above mould and clamped securely, and it then becomes flexible. Air is vacuumed out between the plastic and the mould and forms around the shape / mould. Once plastic has cooled, it can be removed easily.

Question 19

What’s blow moulding

Answer 19

A tube of softened plastic called a parison is fed into a hollow mould.
It is then pinched/closed at the bottom so it can be filled with warm air and inflate to fill the mould, taking on its shape. Parison cools and mould opens. Used for plastic bottles and containers .