The use of finishes Paper and board finishing - Paper and board printing processes — AQA A-Level Design and Technology: Product Design
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The use of finishes Paper and board finishing - Paper and board printing processes explained
Printing processes differ in how an image is transferred to paper or board, and that mechanism drives cost, quality and run length.
Read the full explanation
Offset lithography uses a plate and blanket to transfer ink and suits long runs of high-quality work such as magazines and packaging. Flexography uses flexible relief plates with fast-drying inks, suiting high-volume packaging and labels on a range of substrates. Gravure uses an engraved cylinder for very long runs and consistent photographic quality, as in catalogues. Screen printing forces ink through a mesh and suits short runs, bold flat colour and printing onto unusual shapes or materials. Digital printing needs no plate, so it suits short runs, personalisation and quick turnaround. Suitability depends on run length, unit cost, substrate, image detail and whether variation is needed.
Your focus
- Identify the main paper and board printing processes and how each transfers ink.
- Explain the suitability of each process for specific products.
- Relate process choice to scale of production and unit cost.
The use of finishes Paper and board finishing - Paper and board printing processes exam tips
Marking Points
- Identifies that offset lithography uses a plate and blanket and is suited to long runs of high-quality printed work.
- Explains that flexography uses flexible relief plates and fast-drying inks, suiting high-volume packaging and labels.
- States that gravure uses an engraved cylinder and suits very long runs with consistent quality.
- Describes screen printing as forcing ink through a mesh, suited to short runs, bold flat colour and printing onto shapes or materials.
- Explains that digital printing avoids plates and suits short runs, personalisation and quick turnaround.
- Links suitability to run length, unit cost, substrate, image detail and need for variation.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Match each process to a named product and state the run length that justifies the choice.
- 💡Use the terms plate, cylinder and mesh correctly to show how each process transfers ink.
- 💡When comparing, address cost per unit, quality and substrate rather than only speed.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming the most expensive process is always best: correction is that suitability depends on run length, unit cost and product requirements, not prestige.
- Confusing screen printing with digital printing: correction is that screen printing uses a mesh and squeegee, while digital printing needs no screen or plate.
- Believing one process suits every scale: correction is that short runs favour digital or screen printing while very long runs favour gravure or offset lithography.