Design Context : Design For Print

Gathering research from books

The Power of Paper
In Graphic Design * Catharine Fishel

A bolted book, gives it a more rustic look and isn't like any other way of a book being out together

Ring bound is a way i could use so pages could be ripped out.

Using a interesting stock, such as wood shown below, makes it different

Having the cover laser cut could allow for some sort of experimentation on the page behind, it would also add a different texture to the info pack

Ripped out images

This is something i want to look into, it makes the package a lot more interactive.

Stefan Sagmeister used his book to contain the product shown below, again this is something different and it makes it more interactive.

Different ways of folding

The fundamentals of Graphic Design

Print Finishes

Print finishing encompasses a range of processes that are used to provide the final touches to a job, it can transform an ordinary looking piece into something much more spectacular. These processes may include die cutting, embossing, debossing, foil blocking, varnishing, and screen print.
       Print finishing processes add the final touches to a printed piece. This can include decorative elements such as the shimmer of a foil block or the texture provided by an emboss or screen print, in addition to added functionality, such as the protective nature of a varnish or something that is fundamental to the format, such as a binding. For example, a die cut removes part of the substrate and can be used to change the shape of the piece, or to provide an aperture through which other parts of the publication may be viewed.
   Print finishing processes may be performed online as the substrate comes off the printing press (online varnish), or offline as a separate operation once printing is completed ( foil block ).
      Print finishing processes have the ability to dramatically enhance a job, and although they represent the end of the production process, they should be considered as an integral part of the design and not as an afterthought once a piece has been printed. The successful use of print finishing techniques means their application must be planned as part of the initial design to maximise the benefits derived and to control costs.



Binding

Binding is a collective term for a range of processes used to hold together the pages or sections of a publication to form a book, magezine, brocher or other printed product. The different binding methods available allow a designer to make choices about the functionality as well as the visual qualities, longevity and cost of a publication. Used creatively, binding can provide a simple means of differentiating a publication. Options include perfect binding, sewn or burst binding, and saddle stitching.

Types of binding

Perfect binding

Binding where the backs of sections are removed and held together with a flexible adheesive, which also attaches a paper cover to the spine, and the fore edge is trimmed flat.

Case or edition binding

This is commonly used for hard cover books. It sews signatures together, flattens the spine, applies endpapers and head and tail bands to the spine. Hard covers are attached and grooves along the cover edge act as hinges.

Canadian

A wiro bound publication with a wrap around cover and an enclosed spine. A complete wrap around cover is a full Canadian and a partial wraparound is a half Canadian.

Comb and spiral binding

Comb binding uses plastic (comb) rings that allow a document to open flat. Spiral binding uses metal wire that winds through punched holes in the stock, which allows the publication to ope flat.

Open bind/Exposed stitch

A book bound without a cover leaving a exposed spine

Belly band

A printed band that wraps around a publication, typically used with magazines

Saddle stitch

Signatures are nested and bound with wire stitches applied through the spine along the centrefold

Singer stitch

A binding method where pages are sewn together with one continual thread

Paper engineering

Paper engineering refers to the various methods by which paper stock can be manipulated and formed during print finishing including folding, die cutting and perforating to produce specific formats or decorative effects.

Paper

Paper typically comes in a range of standard related sizes governed by norms such as the ISO paper standard. However, through the folding and cutting of standard paper sizes, designers have access to a wide range of different sizes and formats. The ISO A series of paper sizes are related and they are based on the division of a one square meter sheet of paper called AO size. Halving this sheet produces an A1 sheet, halving A1 produces A2 and so on. The different sizes produced this way are related in that each one differs from the next size by a factor of ether 2 or 1/2, which means it is relatively easy to scale a design from one paper size to another.

Format	A series	B series	C series
Size	mm × mm	mm × mm	mm × mm
0	841 × 1189	1000 × 1414	917 × 1297
1	594 × 841	707 × 1000	648 × 917
2	420 × 594	500 × 707	458 × 648
3	297 × 420	353 × 500	324 × 458
4	210 × 297	250 × 353	229 × 324
5	148.5 × 210	176 × 250	162 × 229
6	105 × 148.5	125 × 176	114 × 162
7	74 × 105	88 × 125	81 × 114
8	52 × 74	62 × 88	57 × 81
9	37 × 52	44 × 62	40 × 57
10	26 × 37	31 × 44	28 × 40

Varnishes

A varnish is a colourless coating that is applied to a printed piece to protect the substrate from wear or smudging. It also enhances the visual appearances of the design or elements within it as a spot varnish. Varnish can produce gloss, satin and matt finishes. UV coating can also be used to add a decorative touch.

Types of varnishes

Gloss

A gloss varnish reflects light back and is frequently used to enhance the appearance of photographs or other graphic elements in brochures.

Matt

Typically used with text heavy pages to diffuse light, reduce glare and increase readability. It gives a non glossy, smooth finish to the printed page.

Satin (or silk)

A middle option between the gloss and matt varnishes. It provides some highlight, but is not as flat as a matt finish.

Neutral

The application of basic, almost invisible, coating that seals the printing ink without affecting the appearance of the job. It is often used to accelerate drying on matt and satin papers, where inks dry more slowly.

UV Varnish

A clear liquid that is applied like ink and cured instantly with ultraviolet light. It can provide ether a gloss or matt coating. UV varnish is increasingly used as a spot covering to highlight a particular image because it provides more shine than varnish.

Spot UV

Varnish is applied to highlight discrete areas of a printed design, both visually and by imparting a different texture. The effect of spot UV can be maximised when it is applied over matt laminated printing.