Printing
Overview
Almost every printed thing you touched today - the cereal packet, the bus ticket, the magazine, the plastic shopping bag, the label on a drinks can - was made by one of a small family of printing processes, each suited to a particular material, quantity and quality. A graphic-products designer who cannot tell offset lithography from screen printing, or flexography from digital, cannot make sensible decisions about cost and quality, because the process chosen sets the price, the surface it can print on and how many copies are economic.
This note covers the main commercial printing techniques used to manufacture graphic products: offset lithography, screen printing, flexography, gravure and digital printing, plus the school-level processes (relief and screen printing) you may use practically. For each you will learn how it works in simple terms, what it prints best, and the all-important question of which print run - short, medium or very long - makes it the economic choice.
Objectives
- show knowledge of printing techniques used in the manufacture of graphic products.
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Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Printing. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which printing process works on the principle that grease and water do not mix? A. Screen printing B. Offset lithography C. Gravure D. Flexography Answer: B
- A company needs only 60 full-colour leaflets quickly and may revise the design. Which process is most economic? A. Offset litho B. Gravure C. Digital printing D. Flexography Answer: C
- Which process is most suitable for printing a bold two-colour logo onto cotton T-shirts? A. Offset lithography B. Screen printing C. Gravure D. Digital toner printing Answer: B
- Which printing process uses an engraved cylinder with tiny recessed cells and is used for very long, high-quality runs such as millions of magazines? A. Flexography B. Screen printing C. Gravure D. Offset litho Answer: C
- What is the main reason digital printing is chosen for personalised mailshots where every letter is different? A. It is always the cheapest per copy B. It needs no plate, so each copy can carry different (variable) data C. It prints on any surface D. It is the highest quality process available Answer: B
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