- Physical products
- Interactivity/ Engaging
- Processes
- CMYK (consider colour change from screen to print)
- Layout/ Composition
- Distribution/ Format
- Scaling
- Quantity and printing costs
- Medium
- Purpose/ Audience
- Resolution
- Process informs design
- Stock choice
We were then asked to come up with a definition that we could use to describe design for print to somebody who doesn't know about the subject. We came up with "Design for print is a range of design processes and considerations that ultimately lead to a printed physical outcome"
All of the outcomes we came up with fit into six categories; Colour, Production, Format, Processes, Stocks and Finishes.
Five of these categories can be applied to design on screen, the only one that can't be applied is Stock.
On web design the information is dynamic, it can be changed constantly, updated and corrected. However design for print is finite, once printed and in circulation it can not be edited or changed.
Sticking the subject of design for print we were asked to discuss and identify as many different processes for design for print
- Foiling
- Spot varnish
- Linocut
- Screen print
- Vinyl cut
- Engraving
- Monoprint
- Thermography
- Letterpress
- Embossing
- Wood block
- Reprographics (digital)
- Lasercut
- 3D printing
- Lithography
- Risograph
- Cholograph
From this list we were asked to select 3 processes we want to develop and use throughout this year, these are;
- Lasercut
- Screenprint
Task 1
For each of the five categories for design for print select 2 relevant examples of each.
Format
Newspaper
Poster
The use of a poster enables the designer to do more than promote or advertise, it allows them to express themselves through; wit, remarks and quotes, but also be clever about design. See above
Newspaper
The newspaper is a great form of print, it not only allows you to print cheaply (due to single colour and cheap newsprint) and mass produce. Some amazing things are being done with news papers at the moment, the design is beautiful, simple and so intelligent. The design manages to create something elegant and enviable out of crude cheap materials.
Poster
The use of a poster enables the designer to do more than promote or advertise, it allows them to express themselves through; wit, remarks and quotes, but also be clever about design. See above
Stock
Printing directly on to the bottle as opposed to a paper label adds class to bottle, added to the simplicity of the design looks like it is offered to a higher class market. Something that belongs in posh independent stores or selfridges as opposed to tesco. When the liquid is in the glass bottle it gives a completely different aesthetic to when the bottle is empty.
Tea towel
The use of screen print enables the designer to be diverse in their selection of mediums, for example by using a silk screen that is finer than those for paper, they have in fact been able to produce a crisp design on a tea towel. Even though the tea towel could have been printed digitally, you get a certain aesthetic quality and texture you wouldn't get elsewhere. Different print methods allow us as designers to print on a wide variety of surfaces.
Production
Binding
I'm actually confused as to whether binding is in fact a production method or part of the finishing process. It fits in to both categories and I think this example fits production best because it is in fact the production, the bringing together of the components to create the printed outcome. As opposed to simply 'finishing it off'
Colour
Metallic
Finish
Is a wide range of processes that provide the finishing touches to a job once the substrate has been printed, these include; die cutting, folding, foil blocking and varnishing.
Folding
Printing directly on to the bottle as opposed to a paper label adds class to bottle, added to the simplicity of the design looks like it is offered to a higher class market. Something that belongs in posh independent stores or selfridges as opposed to tesco. When the liquid is in the glass bottle it gives a completely different aesthetic to when the bottle is empty.
Tea towel
The use of screen print enables the designer to be diverse in their selection of mediums, for example by using a silk screen that is finer than those for paper, they have in fact been able to produce a crisp design on a tea towel. Even though the tea towel could have been printed digitally, you get a certain aesthetic quality and texture you wouldn't get elsewhere. Different print methods allow us as designers to print on a wide variety of surfaces.
Production
Binding
I'm actually confused as to whether binding is in fact a production method or part of the finishing process. It fits in to both categories and I think this example fits production best because it is in fact the production, the bringing together of the components to create the printed outcome. As opposed to simply 'finishing it off'
Colour
Printing just plain black onto good quality stock whatever the colour can reduce costs (due to the use of a single ink) but also gives the piece a classy simple aesthetic that doesn't confuse the user.
Finish
Is a wide range of processes that provide the finishing touches to a job once the substrate has been printed, these include; die cutting, folding, foil blocking and varnishing.
Folding
The use of folding as a finishing technique creates something tactile and 3 dimensional, it excites as the viewer unfolds each section to see what is revealed. Folding is also a great method of packaging a print without the use of external packaging.
Foiling
Foiling creates a smooth metallic finish on textured paper again adding an element of dimension but also inviting the user to stroke and feel the design, to view the design through the sense of touch.
Latex overprint
This is a finish that really intrigues me due to the how creative one could be with it, to me it seems very experimental, it offers a form of interactivity to print, as if people other than the design can make creative decisions.
Process
Screen printing
Lasercut
This use of lasercut is perfect, it's so intricate and detailed, one wouldn't find such perfection in a hand cut piece. The use of laser cut also enables the designer to mass produce without any differences or mistakes whereas by hand you'd struggle to get 2 of the same.
Screen printing
Lasercut
This use of lasercut is perfect, it's so intricate and detailed, one wouldn't find such perfection in a hand cut piece. The use of laser cut also enables the designer to mass produce without any differences or mistakes whereas by hand you'd struggle to get 2 of the same.