Printing

Question 1

Name the printing process.

Answer 1

The image is printed with regular quality control checks to check alignment and colour with the densitometer.

Question 2

Describe the finish steps…

Answer 2

7. Finishes are added : foil blocking, embossing, varnishes, laminating, die-cutting…
8. The print is guillotined to size.
9. The print is packed and sent to a distribution centre where it is sold at the shop.

Question 3

What plates are used for offset lithography?

Answer 3

Aluminium because these are flexible and durable - they last for 30,000 runs.
For runs under 5000 card can now be used.

Question 4

Describe sheet feeding and its points.

Answer 4

This involves supplying individual sheets to the printer. It is used from A4 to A0 and for short runs.
+ - this makes the process easier to stop and adjust.
- the process is much slower.

Question 5

Describe web feeding and its points.

Answer 5

Web feeding involves supplying the printer with a 1 ton roll of paper which extends to a mile.
+ - this is cheaper as the paper has not been cut into pieces. Much faster so good for runs over 20,000. Can reach 60000 prints in an hour.

Question 6

What inks are used?

Answer 6

Oil based - these were traditionally environmentally unfriendly but now oils such as sunflower oil are used. This is biodegradable and from a renewable source.
Water-based - this is even better as the ink degrades and breaks down quickly. Used by most printers.

Question 7

Name all five pre-press steps…

Answer 7

1. Email the image from a computer to a printer.
2. Separate the image into CMYK.
3. Do quality control with registration marks, colour bars, and crop marks as a guillotine guide.
4. Make the four printing plates.
5. Align the plates with the cylinders.