Methods of Print PDF

Methods of Print NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Print NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production There a...

Methods of Print NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Print NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production There are a variety of conventional print methods used for production in the graphics industry. There are also other methods for printing. Technology is continuously evolving to create new ways to output print. The next slide shows the conventional methods of print.  Print Methods Conventional Types of Printing Gravure NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Letter Press Flexography Screen Printing Offset Lithography Digital & Wide Format Shown here is a two colour Offset Press Print Methods How is the ink transferred to a substrate? NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Intaglio: Ink is transferred from depressions in the plate surface onto the substrate. Etching and Gravure are examples of intaglio processes. Ex: In Etching, a smooth metal plate is scratched into with a sharp tool to create line art. Ink is applied to the plate, and the unetched surface of the plate is wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched depressions. Under pressure, the ink is then transferred to paper. Relief: Ink is transferred from raised areas onto the substrate. Letterpress, Woodcut and Linocut are examples. Think “rubber stamp” Planographic: Printing from a flat surface. There is no raised surface, or depressions in the surface of the plate or screen. Examples include Screen Printing and Lithography. For more go to: https://www.artvancouver.net/post/different-types-of-printing-techniques-and-their-uses NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Gravure Also known as Rotogravure Substrate can come on a Roll (Web) or Sheet Fed Recessed Plates – Transfers Image with Pressure - Intaglio Good for Long Runs – 2 Million + Excess Ink is Removed with a Doctor Blade Can be used for packaging purposes, bottles and wrappers Gravure NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Check out a video of food packaging wrap being roto-gravure printed here Or copy this address: https://youtu.be/tVKqc375c_Y?si=iuOOBra70YFkZa1P NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Letter Press May be referred to as Raised or Relief Printing A Windmill Heidelburg is a classic letter press, and there are smaller table-top letter presses as well. (Golding, or Monarch) Smaller run quantities Dies are expensive to have made A die or the cast letters of type are all reverse reading (wrong reading). This leaves a right reading print impression Prints a single colour at a time More common uses for Letter Presses are: Die Cutting, Embossing, Foiling and Numbering Flexography NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Used for packaging such as cardboard boxes, retail bags and packaging, milk cartons and disposable containers 4 or more colours Flexo plates transfers ink directly to the paper Uses a flexible Relief Plates. Usually a synthetic photopolymer material, has also been made from other materials like rubber. Substrates are typically web (rolls); can be paper, cardboard or adhesive Water based inks can be used for food packaging Bennett Packaging bpkc.com  Flexography NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Screen Printing NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Specialized printing – labour intensive Examples: T Shirts, Political Signage, Packaging, Golf Balls and Promotional Items Uses ink only – Screen, Frame and Photosensitive Emulsion (Ulano) Each screen is one colour (separation) Inks need to be “Set” using heat activated dryers or presses Uses low Screen Rulings (LPI 65 - 85) NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Digital Printing Multi-Colour Screen Printing Press  Digital NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Printing Quick setup – very cost effective for under 5,000 to 10,000 copy run Size and speed limitations Great for “On Demand” printing Output in DPI (printers) rather than LPI (conventional press) Uses toners, inks and coatings Quality varies, some presses are very high quality, most meet industry standards High speed inkjet printers are gaining industry recognition Hybrid digital presses like the HP Indigo are becoming widely used Digital Printing NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Large Format Digital Press  NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production High quality prints, HP Indigo HP Indigo HP Indigo 7K Press - Link HP Indigo 7K Press - Link  Wide Sign industry standard Used for banners, vehicle wraps, promotional printing, Format billboards, back-lit displays NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production WF printers can print on a variety of substrates: foam- core, wood, metal, canvas, adhesives Can be finished with digital cutters, die-cutters, CNC routers UV inks don’t fade when outside Variety of ink types Wide Format NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production  Offset Lithography NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Most Common Type of Printing High Speed – 4 + Colours – Process, and Spot Colours Varnish, UV, and Aqueous coatings Examples: Magazines, Brochures, Newspapers, Books, Limited Edition Prints, Stationary, Stickers Substrates come in Roll (Web) or Single Sheets (Sheetfed) Substrates can be Low Quality Newsprint to High Quality Coated Stock in both Text and Cover Weights Uses Ink and Water – Based on the theory that Ink & Water Don’t Mix Offset NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Sheetfed Offset Web Offset  Sheetfed NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Offset Uses PreCut Sheets up to 80” High Quality – over 200 LPI 1 to 10 Colours – Varnish, Coat and Spot Colours in one pass through the press Computer Controls – On the Fly registration Direct To Plate Systems (send file direct to plates mounted on the press) 5 Systems make up Litho Presses: Feeding, Ink, Water, Print & Delivery Systems Sheetfed Offset NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Print Unit Components: Plate Cylinder, Blanket Cylinder, Impression Cylinder, Gripper Fingers Image “Offsets” from the Plate to the Blanket and then onto paper - image is reversed on blanket, then right reading on the substrate Impression Cylinder grips and pulls sheets though the press print unit  Sheetfed Offset NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Inking System Transfers ink from the Fountain to the Plate Components: Keys, Fountain, Rollers Inks can be Process or Spot colours Varnishing and Coating can be done using the Ink System Computer controls help to balance ink\water consistency Sheetfed Offset NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Water System Water system is to dampen the Non-Image parts of the Plate – ink will not adhere where there is water Water Systems can be Conventional (Dampening Covers) or Integrated (ink & water mix before they reach the plate) Water combined with chemicals form the Fountain Solution; this mix relaxes the water (controls pH, surface tension, ensures water adhesion to non- image areas) Components: Fountain Reservoir, Rollers, Metering Roller, Damp Covers  Sheetfed Offset NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Delivery System Collects, Jogs and Stacks the sheets after printing 2 Types – Chute (sheets fall into a tray – small presses) Chain (as feeder pile runs it is raised – in the delivery paper stacks up and the pallet lowers and jogs the sheets in an orderly stack) Components: Dryers, Spray Powder, Grippers, Joggers Important that ink does not “Set-Off” onto the back of the next sheet Sheetfed Offset NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Duplicators Smaller Presses – lower quality Short run jobs Single or two colour Low cost to purchase Used for business cards, envelopes Digital is replacing duplicators  Web Offset NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Web Offset NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Web Presses Presses used for Newspapers, Magazines, Flyers, Books High Speed – paper comes on Rolls (rolls have a pre-cut width) Lower quality – 85 to 133 LPI (depending on paper and press quality) Long run lengths – more run up waste at startup than sheetfed Perfects, Folds and Cuts in 1 pass through the press Most runs are Black or Process colour On the fly Registration – Computer Controls – on the fly Roll Replacement Use the same 5 basic systems: Feed, Print, Ink, Water, Delivery  Web Offset NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Folding and Cutting Web Presses Fold, Cut, Slit On the Fly Typical Folded Sizes: Broadsheet 17” x 22” Tabloid 11” x 17” Magazine 8.5” x 11” Digest 5.5” x 8.5” Sheetfed & Web Offset Perfecting NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Perfecting is printing on both sides of the substrate in 1 pass through the press Not all sheetfed presses can perfect. Perfecting sheetfed presses can print on both sides of the sheet in 1 pass through the press, very expensive to purchase. Gripper fingers hold sheets while the perfecting drum turns the sheets over. Web Presses use 2 Blanket Cylinders to impress the ink - e.g. Newspapers are printed on both sides of the paper in 1 pass through the press. (Blanket-to-Blanket printing) NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Sheetfed Perfecting Web Perfecting  Textbook Readings NAIT | Graphic Communications | GRCO1130 Graphic Media Production Production Manual Second Edition P 152-155 – Production > Print Processes o Litho o Web o Letter Press o Screen