Printing

Question 1

Sublimation- how does it work

Answer 1

Print design onto paper with sublimation ink. Place paper on top of fabric under a heat press. The ink turns from a liquid to a solid to a gas to a solid which transferees the ink from the paper to the fabric.

Question 2

Offset lithography

Answer 2

Dampening unit dampens the paper, as the ink is made from oil and water separates oil it helps the paper absorb the ink better.
The ink passes through rollers to smooth it out.
The press plate has water and ink supplied to it, the ink being on top of the water.
The blanket cylinder takes ink off the press plate.
The paper goes through the impression cylinder which transfers ink from the blanket cylinder.
Happens individually for each colour.

Question 3

Flexography

Answer 3

Ink is picked up and goes onto the anilox roller.
Then to the flexo plate which has the pattern on. The design is transferred onto the paper, film or metal foil.
The material is continually fed through.

Question 4

Screen printing

Answer 4

Use mesh and a stencil. the ink is pushed through these layers with a squeegee. The ink is fixed in place using heat to make water resistant. Done on textiles and papers. Happens individually for each colour.

Question 5

Gravure

Answer 5

Ink is picked up by the gravure cylinder. The paper is rolled on the impression cylinder and the ink transfered.