14.11.2024 - 08.12.2024 | Week 8 - Week 11
Maisarah binti Mohd Sufian | 0358458
Publishing Design | Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Task 3A: Book Printed
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LECTURES
Please refer to lectures 1 - 7 here.
Week 8
ILW
Week 9
Publication Production
- Stages
- Editorial
- Printing
- Publishing
- Printing - the main consideration in production
- understanding the printing process keeps the art director from asking the impossible from the printer
- Digital Printing
- uses large-format/high volume laser or inkjet printers
- higher cost per page compared to traditional offset printing methods
- allows for on-demand printing, short turnaround time and modification of image.
- Letterpress printing
- many copies of an image are produced by direct repeated direct impression of an inked raised surface against sheets or a continuous roll of paper
- not very common, one of the oldest printing methods
- Offset printing
- uses an etched thin, flexible metal plate that fits to a curved cylinder
- an inked image is transferred (offset) from the plate to a revolving rubber covered cylinder, which transfers the image to the paper/board
- cheaper printing method, the more you print the less it costs as the ink is cheaper
- uses CYMK and spot colours
- Advantages
- consistent high image quality
- usability on wide range of printing surfaces
- quick and easy production
- Die cut printing
- costly and very expensive to do
- cuts shapes using a laser into the printing surface
- takes more time and work
- Embossed printing
- can add both raised and pressed effects (reversed embossed) into the paper using heat tools, etc.
- Foil stamping
- uses a thin sheet of metallic material that is transferred to the paper with glue
- Special effects add time and cost to the printing process
- Paper
- Newspaper - usually use newsprint sheets, only need to choose once
- Magazine - wider choice of paper stock, some magazines change paper choice in order to save costs during economic crisis. some magazine paper even have a signature smell
- Book paper - lower quality, thin, designed specifically for printed books
- Bond paper - strong, durable
- Book - each type of book requires special attention in choosing a suitable paper
- Important things to consider when choosing paper
- the look
- brightness, colour, texture
- whiteness of paper is important
- coated glossy best displays photographs, coarse best displays text
- the feel
- rough? smooth? soft? hard? thick? thin?
- the suitability
- durability, lasting-power
- is it suitable for the printing process?
- offset needs paper that can adapt to the damp process
- the cost
- cost of printing + mailing
- heavier paper costs more to mail
- the look
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Task 3A - Book Printed
Instructions
In this task, we finally reach the stage of having to assemble and print our book!
Content
In Task 2 I created my story and illustrations to place into my book.
3000 Words Formatted PDF
Visual Compilation PDF
Format + Grid
In Task 1 I decided the size of my book, and I decided that I wanted my book to use the Van de Graaf margins.
Book Size: 230mmx170mm
Book Size Exploration + Book Mockup
Van de Graaff Guides
I tweaked it a little for my book, using only one column and I included guides to place my images.
Margins and Guides
Margins and Columns Settings
Thumbnail Layout
I didn't keep track of my attempts, I kind of just fiddled and moved stuff around until I got something that I liked.
Thumbnail Layouts PDF
Final Book
Mr Hijjaz recommended a few printing shops in the area that we could go to:
- mummydesign printing
- lap soon
- achik printing
- print expert bangi
I had 3 days til submission and a mission, so I went to Mummydesign Printing as it was right next to Sunway Pyramid and quite nearby my house. I brought my usb stick with me, but when I reached the lady at the counter told me that they no longer accept walk-ins and I had to order through Whatsapp. She assured me that it was possible to be done in 3 days so I just had a feel of the different paper materials in store.
I chose:
Cover: Wudii 225gsm
Inside Pages: Simili Paper 120gsm
Binding: Stapler Binding
I liked the contrast between these two papers, and both of them were matte but still smooth so it had a nice sheen to them and the colours still showed up well. I'm not a fan of most glossy paper types. The paper I chose were also on the thicker end, and did not feel like it would tear easily. My book was sturdy enough to my liking. I actually wanted to do the saddle stitch binding at first, but I was told it would take longer so I just opted for stapler binding instead.
When I felt the book in my hand, there was an awkward gap between the book fold which I'm not sure could be fixed if I laid something flat on top of it for long enough. I guess it's due to my paper type being on the thicker end, it just felt like paper binding would have been more suitable. Unfortunately perfect binding would've taken longer, and my book was only 36 pages, 4 short of the minimum requirement of 40 pages to do perfect binding. I'm not sure if using a saddle stitch binding instead would have fixed the issue ><
Book Cover (Front)
Book Cover (Back)
Book Binding (Stapler Binding)
Inside Open Page Spread
Inside Open Page Spread 2
Video Book Flip Through
I'm actually quite happy with how the book turned out, and relieved that the colours did not turn out too dark or muddy. My only regret was that the last page of my book was printed on the inside cover page, which I did not realise would happen!
Final Spreads
Final Spreads
Final Spreads PDF
Flipbook
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FEEDBACK
Week 8
ILW
Week 9
No feedback
Week 10
No feedback
Week 11
Nice illustrations, margins not the best but they look better in spreads.
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REFLECTION
Experience
The communication I had with MummyDesign when printing my book wasn't really the best, because they kept giving vague replies to my enquiries, like when I asked can I also send the workfile if they need to change anything they just said send page by page, I mean I get it but it came across as a little bit rude...! And overall the tone they had in chat did not seem very friendly. Overall, I do like the finished book as it feels personal, and not something overly polished. There are a few things I would change, like the binding, the formatting on my text and I would probably add a few more pages to do perfect binding if I were to print it again.
Observation
I guess you could say that making book layouts is hard when you're indecisive. I think my layout is a little plain, but not the worst. I always see a lot of crazy book spreads on Pinterest and thought I wanted to recreate it but (this is probably obvious) it really does take quite some time, understanding, experience and dedication to produce amazing work. I feel like my respect for the people who design textbooks have gone up a lot, and what I once looked at as the most boring thing in the world in high school is not something I have a high level of appreciation for. I didn't think it would be such a headache!
Findings
InDesign overall is pretty simple to work with and quite handy. I remember when I first opened it I was overwhelmed and confused at the workspaces, but as it usually is when you get familiar with something it becomes miles easier! Compared to other softwares, it definitely has it's limits and doesn't have as many tricks like Illustrator. But for what is is and it's purpose, it's definitely effective. When I went to the printing store, I was a little overwhelmed at the amount of paper choices and was scared that when I printed the entire book, the paper I chose would feel different from what I imagined as a whole, and also the fact that I couldn't communicate with the printer in person and had to do so through text. The end product is not so bad though, and I'd say it's good enough.
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