I began looking into the various factors and possible techniques that I will want to consider/ experiment with within this project. Although the digital age is rapidly growing, print will always offer that unique finish that a screen can not reproduce, for example:
It requires a plate to be cut out so that when the foil is heated and pressed against the stock, only the metallic shape is left revealing a shape or word. The foil can either have a metalic or glossy
finish. This is a costly and time consuming process. Below is an example of a glossy foiling:
Above is Manchester agency Music’s designs for the British Fashion Council’s 2014/15 annual review. With an all-black cover, gorgeous imagery and bold typography, you’d do well to tell it apart from a slick coffee table. The foiling slightly raises the type from the surface making the cover aesthetically pleasing. Foiling isn't just used for publication covers, I've seen it on shopping labels and business cards, etc.. (beneath is another glossy example and also metallic)
There are environmental issues with the foiling process which means it should be avoided if it is likely to be thrown away. However, many printing companies have now swapped to using an environmentally friendly process. It doesn’t use solvents or inks and does not create any harmful vapours.
Design by Face are a design studio which make use of this technique a lot within their editorial design to achieve this more up-market and classic feel..
Embossing also requires a printing plate which is pressed into the stock, to simply raise the surface of your design so that it has some depth. It has been used as a finish for high end printed products for hundreds of years. It’s a great way to give your design another dimension that print simply cannot do. Emboss can be used by itself or together with foil, coatings or printing. Debossing is the same concept but the other way round. If I consider using this technique, the stock will need to be a higher gsm so that the embossing is clear.
Varnish
A varnish is a liquid coating applied to a printed surface to add a clear glossy, matte, satin, or neutral finish. It adds a layer of protection without making the stock too heavy making it suitable for magazines. Here are the types of varnishes:
| Gloss Varnishing | A gloss varnish gives the printed surface a glossy, sheen look. |
| Matte Varnishing | A matte varnish gives the printed surface a non-glossy, smooth look. |
| Silk or Satin Varnishing | A satin varnish gives the printed surface a neither a high gloss or matte, but the middle ground. |
| UV Varnishing | Ultraviolet (UV) varnishing is a process for achieving an even more striking type of coating on your printed material. |
| All-over UV varnish | Simply put, this is a UV seal applied all over the printed surface. |
| Spot UV Varnish | A spot varnish is applied to chosen spots (areas) of a printed piece. This has the affect of highlighting and drawing attention to that part of the design. |
Letterpress
Letterpress is one of the oldest printing techniques, also known as debossing. A letterpress is used to depress or indent certain portions of the page, it can also be used to apply ink to a page. It is most commonly used for logos on pieces of design.
Die Cutting
Die-cutting is a process used in many different industries to cut a thin flat material into a specific shape using a steel cutting die. It can be used to punch out a decorative shape or pattern to incorporate within a larger piece, or it can be used to cut typography out for example on a business card. Used correctly it can look very effective and can act as window for what graphics may lie beneath.
Cost
The cost of inks and stock is expensive, made even more expensive by professional finishes such as foiling and embossing. Large studios and businesses often pay for large print runs and ultimately getting more product for the money. Short print runs, especially with lithography, are more expensive because each plate has to be made separately. A longer print run would make more publications so they will gain more profit.
Colour/Texture
Due to the advances in technology, print media can achieve a huge range of finishes and colours. The standard of printing is also increasing as high res images are crisp and clear due to the colour management. The inks can also glow in the dark and smell, increasing stimulation.
Stock
Fire proof
Water proof
A range of gsm
Virtually any size
Texture
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