OUGD504- External Printing Primary Research

I looked into getting my book Screen printed at Dots Printhuas. I went down to the studio to find out costings. Because I could only get the stock in A3 it meant they would have to pull each page separately using one screen for each page. This meant the cost would be 10 pound for each page with 4 pound set up fee for the screen. The overall costing would be way too much so I had to decide to print my booklet digitally to control cost. However It was good to go and see the facility and is an option in the future if I need to print in bulk.

OUGD504- Content Survey- Primary Research

After the crit I had with the tutors and peers I realised I needed to gain a better understanding of my target audience so I got in contact with my tutor from college and arranged to visit one of the 2nd year classes to hand out a survey. I wanted to find out what print processes they would like to know more about to allow the content to be informed.

I got 26 responses from the survey

The results:

Would you find it useful to have a print process book that you can refer to whilst at University?

YES-25

NO-1

What print processes would you like to know more about?

-Screen print
21

-Letterpress
16

-Embossing/Debossing
10

-Mono printing
6

-Lino-cut
11

-Block printing
10

Would you find a step by step guide to the print processes useful?

YES-25

NO-1


From the results I can now start to organise the content. I am going to include the processes that have 10 or over so:

Screen print

Letterpress

Emboss/Deboss

Lino-cut

Block printing

OUGD504- Publication- Primary research

I went to a independent book shop to have a look at some hand made publications to see how they have used different stock, finishes and formats.

The example below had some pullouts that were in the jacket. This is something I could do with my book e.g. have samples of lino so they can use it to have a go at printing.

I really like the pastel coloured stock used in these examples. I have been thinking about stock colour and pastels was a choice I was thinking about. I have ordered some sample stock of pastel colours so I can decided wether to go with this choice.

This example had a clear tracing paper jacket cover the book. This created a nice finish and touch. I don't think this is relevant to my idea however, I really like the size of the book; something to think about when choosing page sizes.

This example had a spot varnish finish. The ink was the same colour as the stock which looked slick.

This stock had a real nice texture with coloured pigments ingrained. 

OUGD504- Stock- Primary research

Today a few of us visited a print retailer to have a look at what stock is available. Unfortunately most of the products were vinyl but it was still interesting to see the variety of colours and finishes. 

GFSmith

I requested a sample pack from GFSmith to help me to decided on what stock to use. 

The pack was really useful and has lots a variations of colour, weights and finishes. 

I am still attracted to the pastels colours but I am going to wait to make a decision until I have done some initial development so I have a better idea of the structure of my book. I am thinking I will need five different coloured stocks to correspond to the print processes.

Coloured stock

Black and White stock

Swatches booklet with different finishes

Paper Cutz 

I ordered five pastel coloured papers from Paper Cutz. 

I was thinking about using different colours for each print process.

After the crit it was mentioned that the yellow and orange were too bright in comparison to the other colours so I re-ordered some samples.

I am happy with the new stock colours so I have ordered them so I can start printing. The minimum amount you can order is 25 sheets so I had to order 25 sheets for each colour. It cost 4 pound for 25 sheets so it was quite expensive but I think it will be worth it when its all put together. 

For the front and back cover I am going to use navy mount board.

I decided to digitally print the covers so I am going to use grey sugar paper and mount it onto the back of the mount board.

OUGD504- Emboss/Deboss Primary Research

I didn't know how the process to emboss worked and it was one of the questions on my 'to do' list,  so I attended a workshop to find out.

Tips/things to consider:

Text below below 10/12pt will struggle to work.

Takes 7hrs to etch the plate.

Bold sans-serif fonts work better.

The larger the surface of coper, the longer it takes to expose.

For an indented finish, making the plate out of wood with the laser cutter is quicker and works better.

For a proud finish, copper etching is more effective. 

To prepare the plate you need the image printed on acetate in black and white.

-Expose the image onto the light sensitive film > Settings: 9 light units

-Sand the plate the create a surface for the film to sick to > wash and blot dry

-Dont touch the plate > place acetate on the plate

- Wind the plate through the press > rotate the plate 90 degrees and rewind through the press > trim the access film

- Drop sodium carbonate into 3 litres of water 

-Clear of the clear layer of the film and place in the solution.

-Sponge every 30 sections until the copper is exposed.

-Rinse with cold water and blot dry.

-Tape up the back of the plate and place in the acid and leave to etch for 7 hours turning about half way through to allows the copper to dissolve evenly.

-To emboss place the stock on the plate and cover with a layer of tissue.

Tighten the screw towards you and pump the handle, once its tight, press the black button and continue pumping the handle until it becomes difficult.

Examples on different stock