Examples of print from workshop session
Screen printing is arguably the most versatile of all printing processes. It can be used to print on a wide variety of substrates, including paper, paperboard, plastics, glass, metals, fabrics, and many other materials. including paper, plastics, glass, metals, nylon and cotton. Some common products from the screen printing industry include posters, labels, decals, signage, and all types of textiles and electronic circuit boards. The advantage of screenprinting over other print processes is that the press can print on substrates of any shape, thickness and size.
A significant characteristic of screen printing is that a greater thickness of the ink can be applied to the substrate than is possible with other printing techniques. This allows for some very interesting effects that are not possible using other printing methods. Because of the simplicity of the application process, a wider range of inks and dyes are available for use in screen printing than for use in any other printing process.
Screen printing consists of three elements: the screen which is the image carrier; the squeegee; and ink. The screen printing process uses a porous mesh stretched tightly over a frame made of wood or metal. Proper tension is essential to accurate color registration. The mesh is made of porous fabric or stainless steel mesh. A stencil is produced on the screen either manually or photochemically. The stencil defines the image to be printed in other printing technologies this would be referred to as the image plate.
Screen printing ink is applied to the substrate by placing the screen over the material. Ink with a paint-like consistency is placed onto the top of the screen. Ink is then forced through the fine mesh openings using a squeegee that is drawn across the scree, applying pressure thereby forcing the ink through the open areas of the screen. Ink will pass through only in areas where no stencil is applied, thus forming an image on the printing substrate. The diameter of the threads and the thread count of the mesh will determine how much ink is deposited onto the substrates.
Gilded edges, also known as edge painting is the process of applying pantone ink(s) to the side(s) of Taste of Ink Cotton Cards. Since Cotton Cards are extremely thick (42 pt), the sides have canvas space for the ink to show a true visability.
Since gilded edges uses pantone inks, any color can be applied to the printing. Pantone inks provide an exact color to match a company brand (color pallete).
Thermal laminating film is the ultimate way to finish printed materials for beautiful and long-lasting results. Unlike UV and other coatings, thermal lamination provides maximum protection against scratching, smudging and strengthens paper stocks while producing the sharpest and clearest images. Laminating film comes in different finishes, however the two most popular are high-gloss, and matt.
High gloss lamination is very eye-catching, reflecting the light, which enhances MetalFX inks. Matt Lamination gives a feeling of understated luxury, especially when photographs are coated with Spot UV Varnish, it gives an outstanding impression.
Laminating films help to protect from moisture and abrasion whilst providing superior adhesion to fully printed surfaces. The life of your print is extended, enabling you to make long-lasting and favourable impressions. Laminated products communicate quality and add significantly to every product's real and perceived value. Laminations crisply and clearly communicate a feeling of substance, a sense that "this is something of quality".
A varnish is a liquid coating applied to a printed surface (for example the outside of a presentation folder) to add a clear glossy, matte, satin, or neutral finish.
A varnish increases colour absorption and speeds up the drying process. By 'locking in' in the ink under a protective coat, the varnish helps to prevent the ink rubbing off when the paper is subjected to handling. Varnishes are used most frequently, and successfully on coated papers.
Ultra Violet (UV) Varnishing is a process for achieving an even more striking type of coating on your printed material. Requiring the use of special Ultraviolet drying machinery, a UV coating is like a deluxe version of the non-UV varnishes, with the varnish appearing noticeably richer and more luxurious. A UV varnish can be applied as either an all-over coating, or as a spot varnish:
A Spot Varnish is applied to chosen spots (areas), of a printed piece. This has the affect of highlighting and drawing attention to that part of the design, but it also provides the additional visual stimulus of having varied textures on a single printed surface. This adds a lot of interest, and can identify the printing as a premium piece of literature in the perception of the reader.
One very effective technique is to apply a UV gloss spot varnish on top of matt laminated printing. This achieves maximum contrast between the highly reflective shiny UV coating and the light-absorbing matt laminate, and can, for instance, create a striking first impression on presentation folders or a brochure cover.
Hot foil and Cold foil finishing options can provide the ultimate in decorative label appeal. They are not limited to gold and silver foils, but extend to an impressive range of pigmented, pearlescent, opalescent, holographic and security foils. All of these can be combined with embossed images to produce a label with varying tactile effects – any one of which will really boost the printed message and provide great shelf appeal.
Cold foil is a versatilite and efficient process.
The process uses an embossing motif printing plate. An adhesive is pre-printed, which bonds with the subsequently applied cold foil and is cured using UV light. The cold foil is then peeled off the web to leave only the embossing motif in foil form on the print substrate. The process runs at normal press speed and a single pass is all that is needed to apply the foil and then overprint it with normal inks.
Hot foil printing is one of the oldest forms of printing using the letterpress principle and produces excellent results.
A male block is produced using zinc, magnesium, copper or brass. This is process engraved. The block is heated on press and a metallic or coloured foil is branded on to the material. The results are stunning giving your label a premium look and feel.
Embossing is a technique which creates a raised, 3 dimensional image on a piece of paper or similar material. Debossing creates a recess in the page.
It is typically accomplished with a combination of heat and pressure on the paper. This is achieved by using a metal die (female), usually made of brass and a counter die (male), that fit together and actually squeeze the fibres of the substrate.
This pressure and a combination of heat actually "irons" while raising the level of the image higher than the substrate to make it smooth. This is accomplished on a letterpress.
The term "debossing" enables one to distinguish an image lowered into the surface of a material, in distinction to an image raised out of the surface of a material.
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