1. Task 1 Understand print-based media production techniques and technology
There are variousdifferent types of techniques and technology involvedwith print based media. Print
based media can be split into three different types, including hand, mechanical and digital.
Hand Printing
Etching
Etching is a form of handprintingthatis a form of intaglio printing. It is theprocess of takinga material
etc. andeither cutting or engraving it with anetching needle. Thenink is pressedintothe indentsusing
a heavy press which is mostlikely to be zinc or copper. It is then pressed against the desired material.
This makes a slightly raised ink on the material which makes up the picture or image. Originally, they
useda coppersheet butit hasbeenknowntobe donewith anetching card which canbe indentedwith
nomorethanasharppencil. There are a rangeof etching,
including hard ground techniques, the soft ground
approach, aquatintprojectsandreliefs. Thesedays, itcan
havemany uses. Itcanbeusedtoimprintmemory boards
for electronics or do things such as affix serial numbers
on computer chips. Other uses include cutting glass or
plasma. It is, however, more currently used to ensure
uniformity and precision, important for electronics and
other mechanical instruments. In fact, militaries depend
on it for large scale manufacturing of thing such as
firearms and other instruments. Itis commonly used for chemical resins, plasma printed circuit board
and glass. Furthermore, it can be used as semiconductor fabrication.
Some advantages include the fact that the actual process of etching is very simplistic and easy to
undergo. Therefore, very little knowledgeis neededin order todo this process. The mouldcan also be
reused multiple timesuntil it is worn down. However, with the processneeded to undergo can be very
time consuming making it therefore less time effective. Some methods within’ etching can be
dangerous since I can involve materials such as acid. Also, although the process is very simplistic, you
will needto be very creative skillsto beable to makethepicture or wordsandtherefore youneedbasic
skills to be able to pull it off. Finally, since you are engraving a plate, if you mess up the process, you
will need to get a new plate of metal and therefore there is little room for mistake.
Intaglio
Intaglio is a type of handprinting that consists of a range of
different printing techniques, which is very similar to
etching. In fact, etching is seen as a form of intaglio. It
includes an image being incised into a surface and then
filling the incision with ink. The surface is commonly copper
or zinc and a burin is commonly used as a cutting tool. The
ink is generally inserted by dappingthe plate with the ink to
fill the lines and then removing the excess ink. It is then
pressedontothe paper, revealing theprinted image. Originally, it hasmany uses, including‘banknotes,
stock certificates, newspapers, magazine’s, fabrics, wallpapers and sheet music.’ However, more
recently, it is now used for ‘paper or plastic currency, banknotes, passports and occasionally for high
value postage stamps.’
2. Advantagesincludethefact thatit is opentoawide audience duetoits multipleuses, withoutaspecific
marketandtherefore, it is widely useful. It can alsobe usedfor personaluseas well as for businessuse
and can generally be used for any printing project that is desired. A single etch be reused with out re-
engraving it, which means it can create a lot in a little amount of time.
However, there are many disadvantagestoprintinglike this. It is very time consuming. Thismeansthat
it may not be efficient. Also with modern printing, it means that people can get the same things done
faster and therefore it is drowning out. It is also very expensive to do because the materials cost a
substantial amount meaning that it would not be cost efficient.
Linocut
Linocut is another type of hand printing. It is the process of taking a various woodcut that a sheet of
linoleum is used as a relief surface. A design is cut into the surface of the linoleum. The sheet is then
inkedwith a brayerand thenimpressedontoa paperof fabric. Originally, this typeof printingwas used
for covering floors and as time progressed into wallpaper printing but as time went on it began being
used as an art from and is still used that way in schools.
There are a range of positivesandnegativeswhen it comesto
linocutprinting. Forexample, onadvantageisthatthemethod
is overly simplistic and you need no experience what so ever
to be able to do this particular type of printing. Also, because
of this level of simplicity, the method can be undergone
withoutany risk of injury whatsoever. Finally, linocut iseasier
to cut into than wood, making the entire process a lot easier.
However, there are alsovariousnegativeswhen it comesto linocut printing. Forexample, the process,
like most of the other hand printing techniques, is very time consuming, making it less cost effective.
The materials thatare needed for this particular processis also very expensive in comparisonto other
printing methods.
Screen-print
Screen printing is a hand printing process by where a piece of mesh with a design on it is used as a
stencil which is put onthe desire material andthenink is dabbedontop. The places where the meshis
blockedoff will stoptheink goingthroughwhichwill create apicture. Othermaterialsthatmay be used
include polyester but mesh is the most commonly used fabric.
It is a product that is used to make a large variety of
identical products. This is good for the industry because it
allows youtocreate a large amountof stuff suchast-shirts
that might be sold in stores. There are a variety of uses of
thisparticulartypeof printing. Originally, ithadalotof uses
such as at work, print logos and clothing. However, more
recently it hasbeen usedfor thingssuchas posters, display
stands.
Advantages include a range of different things. For example, this particular printing can be mass
produced, makingitcostefficient since it savesmoney. Also, youcanusea rangeof coloursrather than
just black and white making it a lot more creative and astatically pleasing. Finally, it is easier to follow
than other techniques since it consists less initial steps to follow. On the other hand, it’s very time
consuming and takes a lot of time even though it can be mass produced. Also, the finished result can
3. be very fragile and destroyedby nothing more than water or even be peeled off. Finally, small details
cannot be created with this technique, making it less creative.
Woodcut
Woodcutisanothertype of hand printing.Inthistype of prinintyouwill needtotake apiece of wood
and engrave it with the design that you would like.You would usually go this with a photograph of
some sort. You would then trace it to get the photo. Again, it would be pressed onto the material
desired. The effect can be different despendent
on variousareasincludingthe type of woodused.
It was genuily used for things such as book
illustrations but is rarely used today.
There are a range of advantages and
disadvantages with wood cut printing. Some
advantages include the fact that you can use the
one blockof woodin orderto create more prints,
saving time and therefore money.The materials
are also cheap which means that it saves money
and they are as eually easy to source.
Some disadvantagesincludethe factthat,again,the processisreallytimeconsuming.Alsoif youmake
a carving error is cannot be changesd and so wth the inking process.
Lithography
The final type of handprintingisknown aslithography.Thisisdone similartoall of the previoushand
printing techniques except the material that is genually used is flat stone or a metal plate. It is a
popular technique that has been used a lot over time. Its is used today for items such as books,
newspapers, packaging and posters. It is used mainly for mass produced items that which contains
print and graphical images on it.
There are various positives and negatives when it comes to this technique. The cost is very low
meaning that it can be very cost effective. Also the technique produces veryclear imagesand tends
to give off no impressions on the page. This makes the entire
image of a higher quality which is very important when it
comes to printing.
However, there are also a range of disadvantages. Some
disadvantages include the fact that the technique is very
complicated and therefore will take a lot of technique and
expertise tobe able to pull it off.Alsothe image can be easily
smudged or blurred once it has been printed on. Finally, like
other hand and mechanical techniques, it is very time
consuming.
4. Mechanical
Letter press
One example of mechanical printing is Letter press. This is the use of using a slightly rasied surface
such as a stamp,whichis made and usingitin order to printinkonto a suraface.It isuseda lottoday
in things such as books, art form, invitation cards, special posters.
Advantages include the fact that the entire process is easyto
do.The mould canalsobe re-inkedandusedmultipletimesto
make it more cost efficent. This also makes the process a lt
easieras if youare makingmultiple itemssuchas menus,you
won’t have to remake the entire mould and they would be
completely identical. Finally, it can be used and adapted to
create a wide range of printsdependentonyour needsasitis
very adaptible.
Disadvantagesinclude the factthatthe processis extremelytime consuming,muchlike the previous
methods.Itisalsoveryslow meaningthatyou wouldneedtolotof time inorderto pull it off andit’s
not verytime effective.Similarly,itisalsonot nevermoneyefficentasthe processisquite expensive
to undergo. Finally, it doesn’t have all of the capabilities as other, mordern technology has.
Gravure
Gravure islike alotof the handprintingmuchlike intagliowith
the exception that it is done by a machine rather than by
yourself. Itinvolvesengravingintoacylinder. The machine will
then roll the material through the imprinted cylinder which
will then make the picture using ink. It is used often in things
such as food packaging, wall paper, furniture laminates,
paneling,postagestamps,decorativeplasticlaminatessuchas
kitching workstops and magazines.
It is very good as it is very cheap for price per unit, making it cost effetive and can be cheaper hand
printing, which is a longer process. The method is also very simple and you won’t need extensive
knowledge in order to undergo the process. Finally, it is very high quality in comparason to hand
printing and can give you good definition.
Unfortunately,disadvantagesincludethe factthatcostsare highforstartupsoyou wouldneedtosell
a lotto payoff the money.Thisiswhyitismore suitedtobigbusinessrartherthanpersonaluse.Tthe
chemicals canalsobe harmful tothe personundergoingtheprinting whichisahazard,epeciallyinthe
workplace.
Screen process
Screen process is the process by which you take a stencil with
designyouwouldlike to printon it.You wouldthenplace it on
the material anduse inkorpainttoputoverthe top.Finally,you
would remove the excess ink by way of a blade. At this point,
yourdesignwill have beenprintedandyou will needtowaitfor
it to dry. It is used more for fabric inks and printing on fabric.
This can be items such as T-shirt designs being printed.
5. Some advanatgesincludethe factthata varietyof productscanall be made at the same time,making
it time effective. Thisisbecause the stencil can be usedmultiple timestoprintthe same design.The
use of the stencil alsomakesthe processeasiertoreplicate meaningthatwhenitcomesto industry,
itis easytoprintmultiple things.Finally,Itisalotquickerthanhandprintingwhichalsomakesittime
effective.
However,thereare Lotsof inical costsforthe machinemeaningitwouldbe moreideal forsomewhere
where it makes money such as in the industry. Similarly, the Ink is costly which meansthat keeping
the machine running for use will cost a lot of money along the way.
Digital
Photocopying
Thisis the processof usinga photocopierwhichprintsanythingyouwant
by pressingthe image intopaperand othersimilarmaterials. Thisisused
mainly for copying images or designs in which you alreadyhave. It scans
the image and then builds a replica of it using ink. It is mostly used for
housholds, office’s and schools and used less in bigger industry.
The process is very fast meaning that it is very time and therefore cost
effective. Thisisalsoasthe processisvery cheap,makingitcostandtime
effective. It can also be brought for home use as it is a very cheap process. This means that you can
get more for your money. Some disadvantages include the fact that it is not always reliable when
recreatinganimage.Italsocoststhe enviroment asalotof paperneedstobe used,likealotof digital
printing.Finally,photocopiersare difficuttostore as theyare very bulky. These days,however,they
have become more space effective.
Laser printing
This process is similar to photocoping whereby the machine
passes a laser beam over a image to determine it before
recreatingitmuchlike aphotocopierorprinterwoulddo.Itisused
more in offices than home use as it is more expensive but has a
higher amount of clarity in it.
The process is extremelty fast, making it time effective and can
mean that it is more likely to make your money back.. It also has an incredible amount of precision
meaning that the overall quality would be high which is higher than that of abn average printer.
However, it is more expensive than typical inkjet meaning it would be a higher investment. On the
otherhand, cost lessto keepthemrunningsoyoucan make your moneyback. Finally, largeramount
of electricity is needed, also.
6. Inkjet
Inkjetisalso anothertype of printingsimilartolazerprinting.Itincludesscanningthe page and then
copying the image on to the paper. It is used for households, schools and offices as it is not as
expensive aslaserprinting. Advanatges include the fact that it is cheaper to buy than laser printers
It also has high quality compared to regular printing even
thoughit’snotas goodasa laserprinting. Anotheradvantage is
the fact that It is also smaller than laser printers so easier to
store.However,there are alotof disadvantagessuchasthe fact
that theyhave veryexpensivecartridges andtherefore running
costs may be very high. Finally it is slower than laser printing.
Finallyyouhave towaitforthe image todryonce it’scome out,
making it take longer.
Desktop publishing (DTP)
Thisisthe processof printingbyaprinterlinkedtoadesktopcomputer,
with special software It is used a lot for newspapers and magazines.
Overtime it has been developedtobrochures,posters,businesscards
and flyers. Some advantages include having more control over the
images and text is formatted and arranged. It also has good precision.
Finally, there are templates for people who don’t know about the
process, making it easier.Some disadvantges include the fact that the
process is very complicated. An extensive amount of additional
hardware andsoftware must alsobe brought.Finally,itisheavilyreliant
on technology meaningthatif it goesdownthenyou wouldbe able to
use it.
Digital screen printing
This is the methodofprinting froma on screen image directly to media.
It has a range of platforms such as both personal and office, children
books and wedding book. Advantages include the fact that there is no
need to replace printing plates. It is also cheaper than traditional
methods. Finally, it has a short making time which makes it time
effective.
However, compareto other methods, there is a loss for very fine detail.
Italso hashigher costthantraditionalmethods. Finally, only standardscolourscanbeused makingyou
be able to be less creative.
