The Print Bible â€
The Print Bible † OUGD201 Paper Sizes
There are commonly 3 series of paper sizes found internationally. These three ISO Paper Sizes; A, B and C have various uses and mathematical reasonings behind their success in standardising paper sizes all over the world.
‘A’ Series size guide
A
The A series is the most popular amongst its peers, A4 holding the king pin title for the most used and abused paper size this side of the hemisphere. The beauty of this set, unlike others is each A size being half the size of the previous one, when folded parallel to the shorter lengths, a result of the aspect ration having the square root of 2.
B
There are some requirements for paper sizes where the A series isn’t suitable and to take these into account the B series paper sizes were introduced. In order to explain the rationale behind the B paper sizes, we are going to need a bit more maths.
C
The C series sizes were introduced to define the sizes of envelopes suitable for the A series paper sizes. a C4 envelope will hold a sheet of A4 paper unfolded, a C5 envelope will hold a sheet of A4 paper folded in half once parallel to its shortest sides and a C6 envelope will hold the same piece of paper folded twice.
The Print Bible †OUGD201 File formats
Much like paper sizes , there a certain file formats that are used more frequently than others, but thats not to say the others aren’t relevant. JPEG’s are used for screen, but when designing for print, TIFF files are the designers choice. When saving for print there are a number of considerations, the CMYK colour space is normally used when digitally printing with the four process colours. DPI stands for dots per inch and 300 is the number to remember when saving for print. When sending a file off to print, saving files using compression allows layers to remain in tact, without compressing the image. Some printers may want layers in tact or not depending on software used in the process.
TIFF(tagged Image File Format) A continuoustone file format for lossless compression of image for print. JPEG(Joint Photographic Experts Group) A continuous-tone file format for lossy compression images that are to be used for web images.
The Print Bible †OUGD201 Colour
Colour is the life of design, a lot of artwork depends on colour to communicate effectively. When dealing with colour for print, the CMYK process and Pantone matching system are the main candidates to deal with.
The CMYK colour system is a subtractive model, where the subtractive primaries overlap they create the primary colour found in the RGB (additive) model. For example, where Cyan and Yellow overlap they produce green. The pantone system was created to enable designers access to an in depth directory of standardised colours, this meant designers can discuss and refer to certain spot colour knowing someone at the other side of the world has the same colour in front of them. Pantone/spot colours are used when a colour(s) is not achievable through the CMYK process, or needs to be a specific colour for use with a corporate logo. Spot colours are particularly more opaque than process colours, offering a greater intensity and vibrancy.
When sending a job to the printers there are a number of checks to go through, ensuring all mistakes are minimised and all the data is clear and apparent to the the printer. A few things to remember; † Delete any colours not in use on the document. † Check for correct use of blacks † Include all spot colours, or convert to CMYK if it’s a 4 colour process † All images converted to CMYK † Correct use of coated/uncoated with reference to stock.
The Print Bible † OUGD201 Artwork
When referring to the ‘artwork’ of a file, its the process of setting up images and illustrations to ensure they are set up correctly for print. There are a few terms that can get confused; registration, trim and bleed...
Registration is the exact alignment of two or more printed images with each other on the same stock, in other words a visual signal that the printing plates are perfectly aligned to produce the best image. Trim is the process of cropping down and cutting off all the excess stock around a printed job. Bleed is the printing of a design slightly over the document dimensions in order to cancel out any room for error.
The Print Bible †OUGD201 Print techniques
Although print is a very controlled process, it is seen by many as an artform in itself and achieves aesthetics not possible through any other medium. Creative printing techniques should be a consideration where a client has a specific need be it cost or finish.
Overprint is a technique used that instructs the inks to print on top of each hoer to create a new colour. Using CMYK, cyan can overprint all colours and yellow can only overprint black. Knockout is where shapes that overlap in the artwork print out preserving each individual colour, overprint allows each shapes’ colour to be printed over each other creating areas of layered inks (colours can only overprint in the order found in the printing process).
Halftone is a technique that simulates continuous tone imagery using solely dots that vary in size, shape or spacing. Halftones are commonly used in the screen printing process and when a job is using one or limited colours.
The Print Bible †OUGD201 Proofing
Proofing refers to a combination of methods used at various points of the print production, ensuring an accurate reproduction of a design regardless of scale. There are many proofs to check different elements such as layout, registration and colour.
Laser proof A black and white computer print out Blueprint is a copy printed in one color and used for checking and correcting mistakes in contents, imposition layout and completeness of data. Imposition/Layout proof is similar to blueprint but the copy is printed in color. Imposition proof is usually done with a large-format color inkjet printer. Color proof provides the color-true reproduction of the contents of the file intended for printing. Color proof is made with inkjet printers Screen Proof Used for layout and colour information, different raster-dependent effects such as smoothness, grade and range of tonal gradations. Press proof is a test print of the data directly in a printing press, using the actual plates inks and stock.
The Print Bible †OUGD201 Print Processes
There are 4 main printing processes used in todays industry; offset lithography, gravure, letterpress and silk screen. All have their perks and differ considerably in price and quality all depending on the size and nature of the job.
Litho Offset prining is a commonly used printing technique in which the inked image is transferred (or “offset”) from a plate to a rubber blanket, then to the printing surface. Rotogravure (Roto or Gravure for short) is a type of intaglio printing process; that is, it involves engraving the image onto an image carrier. used for commercial printing of magazines, postcards, and corrugated (cardboard) product packaging. Screen printing is a printing technique that uses a woven mesh to support an inkblocking stencil. a process Used for much smaller print runs. Letterpress printing is relief printing of text and image using a press with a “typehigh bed” printing press and movable type
The Print Bible †OUGD201 Stock
Choice of stock can have a dramatic effect on a piece of design, to the point where it can make or break even the most tidy design. A stock is any material printed on, it is however mainly used to address paper. Stocks differ in size, texture, colour, and are one of the most tactile parts of graphic design.
GSM Paper is measured in GSM (grams squaure metre). The higher the GSM the the weightir it feel and the thicker it gets. An A0 sheet of paper has the same area of 1 metre squared therefore being able to find the GSM value of a stock if there is access to an A0 piece. Paper has a grain to it, made up of all the fibres facing the same way as a result of the manufacturing process. The grain is an important element to remember, paper is easier to fold or tear along it’s grain direction. When pringing on stock cut from larger sheets, be sure the grain is the right way around. standard laser print Paper tends to have a grain runing parallel to the the long side ofthe paper to ensure quick clean prints.
The Print Bible †OUGD201 Binding
Binding is the process of uniting all the pages produced in a job allowing them to form into a perfectly read/useable publication. Binding is a very broad area to look at, different strengths, aesthetics, prices and physical charactheristics.
Comb binding A spine of platic rings that bind and allow a document to open flat. Spiral binding Alike comb, a spiral of metal wire that winds through punched holes allowing the publication to lie flat when opened. Wiro binding A metal spine (wiro) rings that functions much like spiral binding. Belly band Simply a printed band that wraps around a publication, typically magazine. Perfect bound The backs of sections are removed and held together with flexiblke adhesive, also used to attach the paper cover to the spine. Saddle stitch Signatures are nested and bound with wire stitches applied through the spine along the centrefold. Case/Edition binding A common hard cover bookbinding method that sews signatures together, flattens the spine, applies endsheets and head and tailbands. Hard cover attatched. Clips and Bolts This method uses a fastening device requires thge insertion of a punched or drilled hole for the bolt or clip to poass through.
The Print Bible †OUGD201 Special finishes
Special finshes/ techniques are print processes that designers can use to add an interctive/eye catching element to what could otherwise be a standard design. These techniques can often add a hgher costing to a job but definitly adding a geater element of design value.
Foiling/Foil blocking is a process where a coloured foil is pressed on to a substrate via a heated die. (also called foil stamp, heat stamp or foil emboss). It produces a shiny finish to the specified areas of a design for example, a logo or title on a cover page. Duplexing is the bonding of two stocks to form a single substrate with different colours or textures on each side. (Dont get confused with - Duplex printing which is a feature of computer printers that allows the automatic printing of a sheet of paper on both sides. Thermography is a print finishing process that produces raised lettering by fusing thermographic powder to a design in an oven. Produces highly visable and tactlie design. Embossing takes a metal die stamp with a particular image, and pushes substrate over the top producing a raised surface in the form of the stamp. Debossing is much like the abouve method, stamped from above on stock to leave and indentation. Debossing achieves better results on thicker stock.
The Print Bible
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