This print process is for printing on 3D objects. Taking something from 2D to 3D. Examples of this are: mugs, pens, calculators etc.
Its a fairly simple process to understand, i found it a lot easier to understand after watching the video.
We looked into the industrial side of screen printing which I never knew was possible until i saw it. The whole process can be automated. They use this technique on inflatables, which tend to be printed on a flat surface and then stitched together.
This is the technique that i am most used to. Computer to print. There is a specific software used called 'RIP' rasta image processor, it's machine specific software and its what makes the images good. The ink is stickier and tend to sit on the top of the substrate. Today this technique produces very good quality images and it makes small jobs viable and its very cost effective.
"In desktop raster image processor is the process of turning vector digital information such as PostScript file into a high resolution raster image. that is, the rip takes the digital information about fonts and graphics that describes the appearance of your file and translates it into an image composed of individual dots that the imaging device (such as your printer or an imagesetter) can output.
Think of the RIP as a translator between you and your printer. You give it instructions in the language of your desktop publishing application and the RIP translates your instructions into the language of the printer . If your language is too complicated for the translator or it misunderstands your instructions the file doesn't rip."
LITHOGRAPHY
This can be sheet fed or on a roll. It prints 'positive-reverse-positive'. The design/images get broken down and then printed. The substrates that are used tend to be paper based, such as news prints, magazines, anything thats largely flexible.
'WEB OFFSET MACHINE'
This is a much larger form of lithography, they use huge rolls, its a high speed production. This is roll fed opposed to sheet fed.
ROTOGRAVURE
This is a more refined process of printing. They use copper plates set between 2 rollers. This works on a reverse image basis. It's very expensive but because of the copper plates they last longer. Larger runs tend to use this technique, and if they are printing on a tough substrate. It has a really dense ink coverage, and its a deeper etch.
Floor coverings tend to use rotogravure, also some magazines use this technique. I was curious whether you had to change the plates every time you had a new magazine for example, as there would be new images and text. It turns out you would have to, this can prove to be extremely expensive.
The accuracy with this print technique is very good.
FLEXOGRAPHY
This is made from a rubber polymer on a cylinder. It uses a positive mirror image. The only problem with this technique is that the registration isn't as accurate. They use the CMYK process, the image is raised about 2-4mm. The tend to print on bottles, plastic substrate, cartons, food bags such as kit kat bags or minstrel bags.
Aluminum cans, they tend to be printed on a flat surface and then its rolled around the can.
Today we had a workshop on print. To be honest i never gave thought to mass produced print and how complex it is. I now realise how important it is and what it means to me as a graphic designer. We learnt a variety of different technical terms, and i found it really interesting. this is defiantly something i want to master by the end of the year. We learnt a variety of technical terms, and over the next few posts im going to look into them more specifically to help my understanding.
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