Design For Print : Identifying print processes

Product : IdN Magazine 15th Anniversary Book

Process : What print process has been used and why?

Screen printed cover. Unique, exclusive product made in small runs.

Colours : What colour/process conventions are in operation?

One spot colour ( dark grey) is used on the cover, CMYK is used for the content.

Stock : What material is it on and why?

Screen printed vinyl-over-board, gives a quality feel, faux leather. Looks upmarket and expensive. Several stock are used inside the book.

Format : Is it a standard of special format? Does it make use of standard sizes?

Printed on a paginated system, trimmed from a conventional size most likely. Cover produced from a single sheet. Book dimensions - 240mm x 195mm.

Finishing : Die - cut, folded/creased, perforated, perfect bound, glued/tabbed, etc?

Bound and stitched into a book, cover was finished by folding and binding.

Specials : Are there any special treatments such as embossing, foil blocking, UV varnish, etc?

Small amount of foil detailing used on some lettering on the cover.

Target Market : What demographic is it aimed at?

Regular readers of IdN Magazine, people willing to spend a bit more for a special edition, creatives.

Cost Band : Is it budget or exclusive? What suggests this?

Not budget, no expenses spared. Attention to detail. Very exclusive, available online only and limited edition.

Quantity : How many is a viable and cost effective quantity to print?

Smaller scale job, probably quite costly. Possibly printed in the hundreds.

Competition : What else is out there that is similar and how does it differ?

Coffee table books, anniversary editions of design books, collectors editions of design books.

Product : Souvenir New York Street Sign

Process : What print process has been used and why?

Screen printed, to help the application of ink on to the metal surface.

Colours : What colour/process conventions are in operation?

Two spot colour - white and green.

Stock : What material is it on and why?

Printed on to aluminium sheet, most authentic look whilst being low cost.

Format : Is it a standard of special format? Does it make use of standard sizes?

Assumed that it is printed on to a large sheet and then cut down into the individual signs.

Finishing : Die - cut, folded/creased, perforated, perfect bound, glued/tabbed, etc?

Die-cut to correct size and shape and then embossing used to raise the lettering.

Specials : Are there any special treatments such as embossing, foil blocking, UV varnish, etc?

Varnish applied after screen printing to seal the ink and provide a gloss.

Target Market : What demographic is it aimed at?

Aimed at the tourism market in New York City. People who are willing to spend money on cheap, imitation pieces.

Cost Band : Is it budget or exclusive? What suggests this?

Very cheap. Aluminium stock is inexpensive and the ink is kept to a minimum with two spot colours.

Quantity : How many is a viable and cost effective quantity to print?

Mass produced in the hundreds of thousands for the vast tourist market.

Competition : What else is out there that is similar and how does it differ?

All other cheap, lower end city merchandise. Other products would perhaps not be so authentic due to stock which makes this piece more unique and tactile.

Product : IdN CD-ROM, bundled with magazine.

Process : What print process has been used and why?

Silk screen. Used to get the white base colour before overlaying the darker gradient.

Colours : What colour/process conventions are in operation?

One spot colour used to produce the white layer, the CMYK to to achieve the gradient.

Stock : What material is it on and why?

Printed on to a standard CD/DVD. Stock is visible through ink for special effect and to frame text. Necessary medium for content access.

Format : Is it a standard of special format? Does it make use of standard sizes?

Printed on to a standard CD/DVD.

Finishing : Die - cut, folded/creased, perforated, perfect bound, glued/tabbed, etc?

Possible protective coating applied.

Specials : Are there any special treatments such as embossing, foil blocking, UV varnish, etc?

Part of the print is blocked out to show the stock through the ink.

Target Market : What demographic is it aimed at?

Aimed at the readers of IdN magazine, exclusive content available only with purchase of the publication.

Cost Band : Is it budget or exclusive? What suggests this?

Evidently an achievable cost as it is included with the magazine for the reader. Some processes could have been stripped back to allow the inclusion of the CD.

Quantity : How many is a viable and cost effective quantity to print?

Print run will be identical to magazine. Assumed to be thousands/ tens of thousands.

Competition : What else is out there that is similar and how does it differ?

Same content available in other ways, e.g. USB drives or online.

Product : Booths Fresh Loose Tea

Process : What print process has been used and why?

Flexography used due to consideration of the unusual stock material.

Colours : What colour/process conventions are in operation?

Single spot colour overlay and varnish to create two tone greens. White spot colour for titles and stickers added for product identification.

Stock : What material is it on and why?

Printed onto plastic coated foil material. Food storage needs to be secure and watertight.

Format : Is it a standard of special format? Does it make use of standard sizes?

Unusual pouch format. Single sheets of patterned stock printed and then cut down to size.

Finishing : Die - cut, folded/creased, perforated, perfect bound, glued/tabbed, etc?

Die-cut to achieve shape and then adhesive used to seal the packet.

Specials : Are there any special treatments such as embossing, foil blocking, UV varnish, etc?

UV varnish applied as a stamp to apply pattern and shine/pearlescent finish.

Target Market : What demographic is it aimed at?

Supermarket shoppers and tea drinkers.

Cost Band : Is it budget or exclusive? What suggests this?

Cheap to produce despite varnish effects. Printed as a general tea packet which is then set apart by the sticker that is applied to it.

Quantity : How many is a viable and cost effective quantity to print?

Mass produced for Booths supermarkets. Very cost effective method of making general packaging which can then be customised.

Competition : What else is out there that is similar and how does it differ?

Boxes of tea, more storage friendly solutions. Other recyclable packaging.

Product : Nalgene Drinks Bottle.

Process : What print process has been used and why?

Pad printing used to place logo onto the 3D object, cylindrical bottle.

Colours : What colour/process conventions are in operation?

CMYK could have been used or 3 different spot colours

Stock : What material is it on and why?

Printed on to an extremely tough and durable plastic so that it can be reused and is durable.

Format : Is it a standard of special format? Does it make use of standard sizes?

Cylindrical bottle would be formed first and then pad printed on to.

Finishing : Die - cut, folded/creased, perforated, perfect bound, glued/tabbed, etc?

The bottle itself would have been moulded with perhaps a varnish to seal the pad printed ink.

Specials : Are there any special treatments such as embossing, foil blocking, UV varnish, etc?

Varnish used as a fixative for the ink and also creates a gloss finish.

Target Market : What demographic is it aimed at?

Sports/recreation market, athletes.

Cost Band : Is it budget or exclusive? What suggests this?

Budget, as drinks bottles are mass produced, but it is a high quality bottle.

Quantity : How many is a viable and cost effective quantity to print?

Produced in the thousands.

Competition : What else is out there that is similar and how does it differ?

Other cheaper drinks bottles but they will be less durable.

Product : Gift Bag.

Process : What print process has been used and why?

Offset lithography, used as material is very suitable and for fast, convenient production.

Colours : What colour/process conventions are in operation?

No ink applied to the stock.

Stock : What material is it on and why?

Single sided silver stock, white on reverse. Matte effect contrasts with the special foil.

Format : Is it a standard of special format? Does it make use of standard sizes?

Single sheets printed and then cut down. Large format.

Finishing : Die - cut, folded/creased, perforated, perfect bound, glued/tabbed, etc?

Die-cut for cord handles, folded and glued for appropriate shape and to fulfil its intended purpose.

Specials : Are there any special treatments such as embossing, foil blocking, UV varnish, etc?

Foil applied to the star shaped pattern.

Target Market : What demographic is it aimed at?

Aimed at low budget buyers, to hold/package gifts.

Cost Band : Is it budget or exclusive? What suggests this?

Very low cost, readily available. Cheap stock.

Quantity : How many is a viable and cost effective quantity to print?

Mass produced to give maximum profit. Very cost effective, large mark up price.

Competition : What else is out there that is similar and how does it differ?

Other more high quality gift bags or wrapping paper. Gift wrap is also more versatile than a standard shaped gift bag.