Techniques and technologies used in print production
- 2. ETCHING – HAND TECHNIQUE • Etching is used in modern manufacturing. • Etching is the process of applying strong acids or mordant (a substance used to set dyes onto fabrics ) to cut into unprotected parts of a metal surface in order to form a design. • It is widely used today, and one of the most important techniques in print production. • ADVANTAGES: the finished look is very good • DISADVANTAGE: it takes ages to produce
- 3. LINOCUT – HAND TECHNIQUE • Linocut is a print making technique that is used on relief surfaces • It is created by using a sharp knife, v shaped chisel or gouge. • The uncarved parts represent a ‘mirror image’ to show the printing • Linoleum sheet is inked with a roller and then impressed onto paper of fabric. • ADVANTAGES: softness of the material, so easy to produce • DISADVANTAGES: not so suitable for fine lines such as wood
- 4. SCREEN PRINT – HAND TECHNIQUE • The ink is applied directly to the surface to be printed. • A roller or squeegee is moved across the screen stencil, forcing or pumping ink past the threads of the woven mesh in the open areas. • It is also known as Screen Printing, silkscreen, seriography, and serigraph. • ADVANTAGES: screen printing allows many prints to be created before a reapplication of ink is necessary, which makes screen printing very useful commercially • DISADVANTAGES: designs are limited and have to be simple
- 5. WOODCUT – HAND TECHNIQUE • Formally known as xylography • An image is carved into wood, in Europe most commonly used is beechwood. • The surface is covered with ink by rolling over the surface with an ink covered roller. • ADVANTAGES: quick and easy to produce • DISADVANTAGES: hard to engrave small text
- 6. LITHOGRAPHY – HAND TECHNIQUE • Lithography is where you use a stone to print on a smooth surface. • Invented in 1796 • Can be used to print text or artwork onto paper or another suitable material • ADVANTAGES: the images are sharp, clear and cheap to produce • DISADVANTAGES: complex materials to use and cannot print in small numbers
- 7. LETTERPRESS – MECHANICAL TECHNIQUE • Letterpress is the oldest form of printing. • In this method, a surface with raised letters is inked and pressed to the surface of the printing substrate to reproduce an image in reverse. Typically, metal type has been used but other possibilities include carved wood or stone blocks. • letterpress was the predominant printing method for 500 years. • ADVANTAGES: most versatile form of printing • DISADVANTAGES: slow process because each colour has to dry before another can be added
- 8. GRAVURE – MECHANICAL TECHNIQUE • Gravure is a printing method in which an image is applied to a printing substrate by use of a metal plate mounted on a cylinder. • Unlike other processes, gravure uses a depressed or sunken surface for the desired image. • The image to be reproduced is etched into the metal plate, sometimes with the use of a laser . • The metal plate is bathed in ink during the process and then wiped clean before application to the substrate. • ADVANTAGES: very good quality and good for long runs • DISADVANTAGES: not very good for short runs
- 9. PHOTOCOPYING – DIGITAL TECHNIQUE • A photographic reproduction of written, printed, or graphic work • Using a photocopier to create an exact copy of a document or artwork. • ADVANTAGES: cheaper than printing and can photocopy a lot of copies at once • DISADVANTAGES: photocopier takes up a lot of space, and is very expensive.
- 10. LASER PRINTING – DIGITAL TECHNIQUE • A printer that uses a laser to produce an image on a rotating drum before electrostatically transferring the image to paper. • ADVANTAGES: high printing speed, good print quality • DISADVANTAGES: costly, images are printed out slightly wet so need time to dry.
- 11. INKJET – DIGITAL TECHNIQUE • Inkjet printing is a type of computer printing that creates a digital image by propelling droplets of ink onto paper. • Inkjet printers are the most commonly used type of printer, and range from small inexpensive consumer models to very large professional machines that can cost tens of thousands of dollars • ADVANTAGES: fast, colour is perfect • DISADVANTAGES: very expensive