Specialist Techniques and Processes

• The use of production aids

  • The use of production aids helps the designer and manufacturer produce accurate and high-quality materials and products every time.
  • Templates and CAD/CAM can allow for accurate shape-cutting or continuous production that has consistent patterns e.g. gift wrapper based products.
• Scoring and cutting


  • Scoring the paper and board can be done using creasing tools.
  • Laser cutters or die cutter can create perforated edges for accurate and easy folding.
  • Packaging benefits from this as it is a slow process to accurately produce crease lines every time.
• Commercial processes


  • Commercial processes offer companies a distinct advantage as they can produce items and products quickly and accurately whilst also reducing unit costs in the long run.
  • Unit costs are the cost of producing a single item.
• Offset lithography


  • This is a process where ink is applied usually in four or more stages.
  • Offset lithography applies the colour in four stages of colour.
  • It applies dots in each area that requires it eventually forming the picture or graphic that is intended to print

  
  

  • Registration marks are produced at the bottom of the piece where colour testing and accuracy of prints can enable high-quality prints every time.
  • Due to the similar processes used, fabric printing uses near enough identical processes when producing a large amount of fabric based prints.
• Colours

  • The colours used in offset lithography are CMYK:
  • C stands for cyan (blue).
  • M stands for magenta (pink/purple palette).
  • Y stands for yellow.
  • K stands for key which (refers to black).
• Die cutting


  • Die cutting is a technique that allows for paper to be cut and creased accurately in large amounts.
  • Using sharp blades that are put into a base material such as ply allow for an evenly distributed and heavy cut which can cut through a material perforate at the same time.
  • Die cutting uses a stamping motion to evenly cut, crease and perforate.
• Tolerance


  • This is the allowance allowed for products in terms of their accuracy of measurements and accuracy of build to allow for computer or human error.
  • This does not mean the product will be of low quality but there will be a threshold that each product needs to meet.
  • Products need to strive to be perfect but account for humans and machines sometimes making small inaccuracies.
• Colour registration marks


  • Registration marks are used for prints and fabric prints.
  • The registration mark will be produced at the bottom of the finished piece.
  • If the registration mark is misaligned then it will not show the colours fitting in each sector perfectly.
  • The reason why this may happen is because of the misalignment of each or some colour plates.
• Testing of early drafts and prototypes

  • To ensure there are fewer issues, prototyping and draft prints stop or limit the number of errors for the final print.
  • Drafts are usually printed on paper that is thinner or cheaper.
  • The reason for this is to ensure that the product is perfect before it goes forward for production.
  • This can save time and money but most importantly can ensure accuracy.