OUGD505 - Studio brief 01 - Research

As the poster has to be traditionally printed I decided to research into traditional printing methods which are available to me here at LCA. To understand the potential and limitations of the printing technologies available to me, then it would later make production more easier. By also knowing the techniques then I could aim to relate them to research on Hyde Park Picture House but also knowing the potential and limitations was essential.


Screenprinting
Screen printing is the traditional printing technique which I am most familiar with and is the one which I am the most confident in undertaking. The process consists of a mesh that is used to transfer ink onto a substrate, except in areas made impermeable to the ink by a blocking stencil. A squeegee is moved across the screen to fill the open mesh apertures with ink, and a reverse stroke then causes the screen to touch the substrate momentarily along a line of contact.

For research into screenprinting I preferred to look into the materials and inks in which you can print with as its something Ive never experimented with before.

• Discharge ink is used to print lighter colours onto dark background fabrics, they work by removing the dye of the garment, this means they leave a much softer texture. The cons with this process is that they are less graphic in nature than plastisol inks, and exact colours are difficult to control. One of the pros of using this process is they are especially good for distressed prints and under-basing on dark garments that are to be printed with additional layers of plastisol. It adds variety to the design or gives it that natural soft feel.
• Expanding ink, or puff, is an additive to plastisol inks which raises the print off the garment, creating a 3D feel and look to the design. Mostly used when printing on apparel.
• Flocking consists of a glue printed onto the fabric and then flock material is applied for a velvet touch.
• Foil is much like flock, but instead of a velvet touch and look it has a reflective/mirror look to it. Although foil is finished with a heat press process it needs the screen printing process in order to add the adhesive glue onto the material for the desired logo or design.
• Glitter or Shimmer ink is when metallic flakes become an additive in the ink base to create this sparkle effect. Usually available in gold or silver but can be mixed to make most colours.
• Gloss ink is when a clear base laid over previously printed inks to create a shiny finish.

Linocut
Linocut is available to me here at LCA and a technique ive only done once before so learning more it was key. The printing technique revolves around a variant of woodcut in which a sheet of linoleum (sometimes mounted on a wooden block) is used for a relief surface. A design is cut into the linoleum surface with a sharp knife, V-shaped chisel or gouge, with the raised areas representing a reversal of the parts to show printed. The linoleum sheet is inked with a roller and then impressed onto paper or fabric. The actual printing can be done by hand or with a printer. Colour linocuts can be made by using a different block for each colour as in a woodcut, but such prints can also be achieved using a single piece of linoleum in what is called the 'reductive' print method.

Monoprint
Monoprint is the technique which I personally enjoy the most, I find it more satisfactory than say screenprinting but also easier to do. Its a form of printmaking that has lines or images that can only be made once, unlike most printmaking, where there are multiple originals. There are many techniques of monoprinting. Examples of standard printmaking techniques which can be used to make monoprints include lithography, woodcut, and etching.