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Presented by Don Burdge - 07/21/2011
Both are tactile print processes which improve both reader retention and response. Beyond that, one is hard pressed to think of greater opposites.
“Wanting to achieve the feeling of a handcrafted, tactile,
enduring and authentic printing – a depth of ink that sits above
the surface of the paper is very appealing to designers and print
buyers today” says Sabine Lenz, founder of PaperSpecs.com. “But
they are savvy buyers who have lots of questions about the cost
of the materials and processes and their environmental
implications.”
History of Processes
Reputations of each
How they’re made
Environmental Impact
Advantages & Drawbacks
Ideal Products for each
Ideal Paper SpecsPrice comparisons
Preparing Artwork
Questions & Answers
Agenda
Engraving: The oldest printing process
Engraving pre-dates the 1440 Gutenberg Press
Early engraving was made with hand-etched dies
Metal plates were introduced in the 1440’s
Engraved recesses are still filled with ink
Paper is still pressed against the die with as much force possible
Hand etched engraving plate
Etching detail
Modern Engraving Plates
Reputation of Engraving
Engraving has been revered as the highest form of printing craftsmanship
Its exclusivity boosts its appeal for premium printed communications and other applications where authenticity is essential
Engraving connotes prestige
Most royal proclamations included engraving to ensure authenticity (seals, crests, and/or titles)
Engraved Invitation
Engraved Invitation
The Engraving Process
More labor intensive
requires separate dies for each color
image area must be within 4 ½” x 9” per die
image must NOT be further than 7 ½” from the edge of the sheet
presses apply 4000 psi of pressure to the paper which causes bruise on back of sheet
Cannot run as fast as other print processes using cylinders
Hand-fed Engraving Press
Hand-feeding
Inking unit
Environmental impactof Engraving
has come to be recognized as the “greenest” print process
Zinc and Copper plates recycled
engraving inks are entirely water-based making them ideal to recycle
engraving inks emit zero volatile organic compounds (VOC)
engraving inks are cleaned of presses using water as opposed to solvents used
for offset printing
Recycling used plates
Advantagesof Engraving
Sharpest detail work possible
Will not “melt” in desktop or laser printers or high speed copiers
Metallic colors reflect light and shine when burnished (embossed with a
second pass without ink)
Engraving ink is opaque and sits on top of paper, as opposed to staining
the fiber of paper. Good for light colors on dark stocks.
Engraved Print
Engraving Detail
Engraving detail
Engraved 1.5 inch Logo
Drawbacksof Engraving
Limited to 4 1/2 “ x 9” image area
Limited to running one color per press run
Cannot reproduce process color, screens or gradients
Back of paper will have a bruise, not great for 2 sided printing
Engraved solid colors can either have a modeled or screened look
Image can run or “spit” on some paper finishes; like linen paper
Can be expensive - depending on run length, image area and number of colors
Engraved Solid
Engraved solid Detail
Where authenticity is necessary (US currency is still engraved to deter counterfeiting)
Invitations, Announcements and Corporate Brand Collateral - To connote prestige and quality
Stationery - Will not melt like thermography when run through laser printers
For Products when environmental impact is a priority
For designs with extremely fine line or intricate detail work
To enhance reader retention by adding texture to printed products
For specifications of light printing on dark stock
Ideal Usesof Engraving
Engraved US CurrencyEngraved US CurrencyEngraved Logo
Engraved Invitation Suite
Thermography
“Thermo-grave”
“Engrave-o-print”
“Fried-printing”
Thermography has only been around since the mid-1900’s.
Became possible when thermo-plastic resin arrived as a by-product of petroleum refining
Arrived without any historical cache
Sold as raised printing for half the price
Thermography struggled to find an audience in graphic communications
Only captured engraving’s audience when various printers gave it trade names like “Thermo-grave” or “engrave-o-print”
Thermography: Engravings wanna-be
The Thermography Process
Begins with offset printing (Lithography)
The paper is dusted with resin powder while the ink is still moist
Resin is vacuumed off the sheet, only leaving it on the ink
Paper passes through a heat tunnel which causes resin to swell
Multi-color thermography requires only a single application of resin for full color work
ThermographyMachine
Text
Offset (Litho) Press
Environmental Impactof Thermography
Petroleum-based resin has a negative environmental impact
Thermoplastic resin is considered a toxic waste by-product in the recycling
process
UV-cured thermography cannot be recycled at all and will never decay naturally
Collected Chemical Waste
Advantagesof Thermography
Faster Presses than engraving
Lowest cost for raised printing
Shiny finish with pockmarked solids, which can be an asset in some designs
Can be run on any size litho (offset) press with print area limited only by the heating tunnel; most common tunnel size is 11” wide
Ideally suited to very large, solid coverage
Business Card with Thermography
Business Card with Thermography
Intermission
• Stand up
• Stretch
• Scratch
• Yawn
• Don’t check your e-mail yet
Drawbacksof Thermography
Not suited for fine serifs, punctuation, or other precise detail
No matter the shape of the image, the final results tend to look rounded
Colors may be distorted from PMS “uncoated” to the “coated” spectrum
Can only thermograph spot colors, not process CMYK
Ink can melt when run through laser printers and high speed copiers
Solid areas of ink appear pockmarked.
Business Card with Thermography
Letterhead with Thermography
Ideal Usesof Thermography
When run lengths or artwork makes engraving impractical
When tactile printing is desired and images are produced in quantities of tens of thousands
When raised transparent spot varnish or raised spot color is desired
Designs can use the specific nature of thermography to achieve some interesting and unique effects
Business Card with Thermography
Clear Thermography Detail
Head to Head
Thermography
50’s TechnologyPoor DetailLarger Print SheetsTransparent InksGlossy FinishCosts Less
Engraving
Old World PrestigeSharp DetailSize Limited
Opaque InksShiny Metallics
Costs More
Engraving and Thermography used for Added Security
Paper SpecsEngraving:
Smooth finish better than Liner or textured to minimize “spitty” type
Hard finish better than soft to minimie bruising
Uncoated better than coasted due to bruise around image area
Heavier stock better that time paper: pressure can “warp” time paper
Neenah Paper better that anyone else ;)
Thermography:
If you can lithography it, you can thermograph it
Generic Pricing
Engraved Business Cards:
250 engraved business cards black ink on white 80# stock.
Gang run price at BurdgeCooper
$52.00
Thermo Business Cards:
250 thermographed business cards black ink on white 80# stock.
Gang run price at BCT
$12.00
Engraved Pricing Factors
Static Tasks - regardless of quantity
1. RIP and Proof file
2. Make file, Etch plate (die)
3. Make-ready die on press
4. Match ink color on press
5. (repeat for 2-4 each color)
6. Minimum time: 1.5 hour
Variable Tasks - quantity dependant
1. Buy Paper
2. Cut Paper to press sheets
3. Run press sheets on press
4. Trim press sheets to final size
5. Inspect and package
6. Minimum time: 1.5 hours
Minimum time: 3 hours + Material
Engraving Plateon Press
Engraving Counter
Thermographed Pricing Factors
Static Tasks - regardless of quantity
1. RIP and Proof file
2. Make plate(s)
3. Make-ready plates on press
4. Match ink color(s) on press
5. 1 or 2 colors run together
6. Minimum time: .75 hours
Variable Tasks - quantity dependant
1. Buy Paper
2. Cut Paper to press sheets
3. Run press sheets on press
4. Trim press sheets to final size
5. Inspect and package
6. Minimum time: .75 hours
Minimum time: 1.5 hours + Material
Therm-o-type machine
First: Identify process call outs on spec sheet
Thermography
If project is only thermographed prepare art like any other spot color print project, identify color swatch as “PMS(xxx) Thermo”
If it is to be used as a finishing technique identify it as a color swatch and label it as “PMS(xxx) Thermo”
Engraving
Color separated line art (each color will require a Color Swatch)
Preparing your artwork
Thank You
Special Thanks for Neenah Paper for Underwriting this Presentation
Special Thanks to Paper Specs.com for Presenting it
Special Thanks to you for attending
Los Angeles
800-421-8703
Atlanta
800-325-7513
To watch videos of Engraving and Thermography and to download this
presentation visit
www.BurdgeCooper.com/paperspecs
