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Commercial enhancement processesLesson 27

James PlayfordSeries Editor: Louise T Davies

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Lesson objectives/aims

• Understand different finishes, including varnishing, laminating, embossing and foil, used in the priont industry.

• Have a knowledge of encapsualtion.• Investigate the uses of varnishing, laminating, embosisng and foil

finishes.• Investigate the use of encapsulation.

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Learning ladderBy the end of the lesson:

You must: • be able to demonstrate an awareness of commercial enhancement processes• be able to suggest the commercial enhancement process used to enhance specific

products.

You should:• be able to describe the advantages and disadvantages of a range of commercial

enhancements• be able to identify products with features produced by a range of commercial

enhancements.

You could: • explain the terms corrugation and die cutting.

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Introduction

• As a Graphic Products student you will need to be able to understand the commercial enhancement processes used in the printing industry.

• Many graphic product designers employ processes such as varnishing, laminating, embossing and hot foil blocking to enhance the appearance and perceived value of the product.

• You may wish to employ one or more of these processes during your controlled assessments.

• You may also be asked to identify, compare, select and evaluate a range of enhancement processes in your exam.

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Varnishing (1)

• Varnish is used to produce a high gloss finish to graphic products or selected areas of graphic products.

There are two methods of application: • Ultraviolet radiation is used to

harden with a liquid plastic coating. • Varnish is added as a fifth colour

during lithography or gravure.

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Varnishing (2)

• Varnish can be applied as a continuous surface coating giving the entire project a high gloss finish, or to selected areas.

• Applying varnish to selected areas is called spot varnishing and has been used in the images to the right to emphasize the MP3 player and the wet area of the glass.

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Laminating (1)• Laminating is the technique

of permanently joining layers of material together.

• Lamination allows designersto combine the properties of differing materials to achieve a desired outcome.

• A paper/plastic laminate such as a classroom poster or bus pass combines the high quality printable surface of the paper and the protective, moisture resistance of the transparent.

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Laminating (2)

• Food and beverage packaging needs very specific material properties.

• It must be rigid enough to be self-supportive and not fail under the pressure of the weight of the product.

• The product must be kept fresh in a hygienic environment.

• The outer surface needs to have an attractive design printed on an ink absorbent glossy surface.

• The printable surface must be protected from moisture and abrasion.

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Laminating (3)

• Food and beverage packaging needs very specific material properties.

To achieve this: • Cardboard is used to provide rigidity.• Foil or plastic film is used to provide the

hygienic environment. • High glossy paper is used to provide the

printable surface. • Plastic film is used to provide protection

from moisture and abrasion.

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Embossing

• Embossing is used to raise a selected area of text from the surrounding surface.

• A die presses the material into the required shape.

• Embossing works best on relatively thin sheet material including paper, card, metals and plastic.

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Hot foil blocking

• Hot foil blocking allows decorative metallic coating to be added to paper and card surface.

• The gold areas of the passport have been added using hot foil blocking.

• A metallic film is pressed into the surface by a heated die.

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Encapsulation

• Encapsulation is a type of lamination.

• Paper based graphic products such as posters, menus and softback books require a durable high quality image.

• Glossy papers provide an excellent printing surface but are vulnerable to moisture damage, light induced fading and abrasion.

• A plastic film is bonded to the surface to provide the required protection.

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Task

• Obtain samples of each of the following enhancement processes: varnishing, laminating, embossing and hot foil blocking.

• Write a short description of each process and display the samples to illustrate aspects of their manufacture and use.

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Plenary

• What is spot varnishing?• What role is played by each of the materials in a milk carton?• How are products embossed?• Where have you seen hot foil blocking used?• What advantages does encapsulation offer for school text books?

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Extension

• Investigate the production and use of corrugated cardboard sheets (sheet material shaped into alternate ridges and grooves).

• Investigate the industrial use of die cutting (punching out an area of card or paper for dramatic effect).

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Homework

• Complete the task you were set in class.