What does print design do?

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Print design, a subset of graphic design, is a form of visual communication used to convey information to an audience through intentional aesthetic design printed on a tangible surface, designed to be printed on paper, as opposed to presented on a digital platform. A design can be considered print design if its final form was created through an imprint made by the impact of a stamp, seal, or dye on the surface of the paper.[1]

History

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There are several methods used to create print design artworks, spanning more than five hundred years. Printing technologies available throughout history heavily influenced the style of designs created by graphic designers at the time of production, as different methods of creating print design offer varying features.[2] Before the emergence of the design and printing technologies of the twentieth and twenty-first century such as the inkjet printer, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign, print design relied on mechanical technologies such as movable type, the letterpress, and lithography.

Movable Type

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Chinese alchemist Pi Sheng invented the concept of movable type, circa 1045 CE. He created induvial characters out of clay and lined them up, using a wax-like substance to keep them in place. They could then be pressed down to create an imprint, mimicking the effect of woodblock printing, which was the popular method at the time. Reusable, movable type was a revolutionary concept, however it did not gain traction in China because organizing the characters was not very compatible with the Chinese writing system.[3] This innovation came about more than 400 years prior to the "invention" of movable type with the printing press in Europe, and it is unlikely that Pi Sheng was of any influence to Gutenberg.

Letterpress

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Letterpress from the earliest days of printing Metal and wood type blocks arranged for printing by letterpress

The letterpress, perfected in the mid fifteenth century by Johannes Gutenberg (1398-1468) through the combined use of the printing press, oil-based inks, and cast metal type, remained the most common and efficient method of printing until the 1960s.[4] Used frequently with typography design and type layout, the letterpress operates through the stamping of type and photo-engraved metal blocks on paper. The metal blocks are arranged in a frame by the printer, and the text columns and etchings are separated by vertical or horizontal metal bars; it is even possible to arrange the blocks at an angle using a letterpress.[5] With the letterpress, print design and graphics remained black and white print on paper until the late nineteenth century.[2] The letterpress was the first technology that allowed for mass production and distribution of printed material at a large scale, and because of this, quickly replaced the slow processes of woodblock printing and hand copying of print design.[4] As time went on and technology progressed, the letterpress did as well. The Industrial Revolution brought about steam powered printing presses and Linotype machines, advancing the mechanical process of printing to a speed never seen before.[6]

Lithography

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Lithographic stone artwork

Lithography, introduced at the end of the nineteenth century, allowed for the use of color in prints and allowed artists to print on larger surfaces than the letterpress. Additionally, lithography enabled artists to draw their own lettering on designs, which was not possible with the letterpress.[2] The design was drawn directly onto the stone by the artist, and then transferred onto the surface of the paper.[5]

Uses

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Print design remains prevalent in society through all forms of communicative design. The importance of printed visual design was highlighted during the first world war, as posters helped to inform and instruct the audience.[2] A short list of print design's uses today includes:

References

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1. ^

   "print, n. and adj.2." OED Online. Oxford University Press, September 2016. Web. 30 November 2016.

2. a b c d

   Hollis, Richard. Graphic Design: A Concise History. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1994. Print.

3. ^

   Meggs, Philip B., and Alston W. Purvis (2012). Meggs’ History of Graphic Design (5th ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.

4. a b

   Eskilson, Stephen. Graphic Design: A New History. New Haven: Yale UP, 2007. Print.

5. a b

   Becker, Lutz, and Richard Hollis. Avant-Garde Graphics 1918-1934: From the Merrill C. Berman Collection. London: Hayward Gallery, 2004. Print.

6. ^

   Meggs, Philip B., and Alston W. Purvis (2012). Meggs’ History of Graphic Design (5th ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.

Graphic Design for Print vs. Digital: What's the Difference?

Graphic design is a vital component of marketing, advertising, and visual communication. Graphic designers use visual elements, typography, and images to convey a message or idea. They play a crucial role in creating brand identity, product packaging, and advertising campaigns.

With the increasing use of digital platforms, the role of graphic design has become even more critical. However, graphic design for print and digital platforms has several differences. In this article, we will discuss the key differences between graphic design for print and digital platforms.

Print Design

Print design is a type of graphic design that is specifically created for print media. It involves designing graphics, images, and text that can be printed on physical materials such as paper, vinyl, and fabric. Print design includes business cards, brochures, flyers, posters, banners, and other printed materials.

One of the essential aspects of print design is that the final output is static. That means that once the design is printed, it cannot be changed. Hence, it is crucial to pay close attention to details during the design process. Additionally, print design requires a higher resolution than digital design since the final product will be viewed up close.

Digital Design

Digital design, on the other hand, is designed for digital media. It involves creating graphics, images, and text that can be displayed on screens, including smartphones, tablets, computers, and televisions. Digital design includes web design, social media graphics, mobile applications, and other digital content.

Unlike print design, digital design is not static. It can be changed and updated as needed. Digital design requires lower resolutions than print design since the final product will be viewed from a distance. Additionally, digital design can include animations, videos, and other interactive elements that cannot be included in print design.

1.           Understanding the medium

The primary difference between graphic design for print and digital platforms is the medium itself. Printed materials and digital platforms have different characteristics that must be considered while designing. Printed materials have a fixed size and resolution, while digital platforms have different screen sizes and resolutions.

Printed materials also have different printing techniques, such as offset printing, digital printing, and screen printing, which can affect the final output. On the other hand, digital platforms have various file formats and compression techniques that can impact the visual quality and loading speed.

2.           Color Modes

Color is an essential component of graphic design. However, there is a difference in the way colors are used in print and digital platforms. Print designs use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) color mode, while digital platforms use RGB (Red, Green, and Blue) color mode.

RGB color mode is used in digital platforms as it provides a wider color gamut and a more extensive range of colors. However, these colors cannot be reproduced accurately in print, as print materials use the CMYK color mode. Therefore, it's essential to convert the colors from RGB to CMYK before printing.

3.           Typography

Typography plays a crucial role in graphic design. However, there is a difference in the way typography is used in print and digital platforms. Printed materials have a higher resolution than digital platforms, which means that fonts can be smaller and more detailed.

On the other hand, digital platforms have lower resolution, which means that fonts need to be larger and simpler for better readability. Additionally, different fonts may look different on different screens, making it essential to choose fonts that are legible and easy to read.

4.           Image Resolution

Image resolution is another significant difference between graphic design for print and digital platforms. Printed materials have a higher resolution than digital platforms, which means that images can be more detailed and of higher quality. On the other hand, digital platforms have a lower resolution, which means that images need to be compressed and optimized for faster loading times.

It's essential to consider the final output while designing images for print and digital platforms. Images that are designed for print may not be suitable for digital platforms, as they can be too large and take longer to load.

5.           File Formats

Printed materials and digital platforms have different file formats that need to be considered while designing. Printed materials typically use PDF, EPS, and AI file formats, while digital platforms use JPG, PNG, and GIF file formats.

It's essential to choose the appropriate file format while designing for print and digital platforms. For example, a PDF file format is suitable for printing, while a JPG file format is ideal for digital platforms.

Conclusion

In summary, graphic design for print and digital media has significant differences. Print design is static, requires high resolution, and accurate color representation, while digital design is dynamic, and requires lower resolution, and vibrant colors. It is crucial to consider these differences when designing content to ensure that it meets the requirements of the medium. Designers must choose the appropriate color space, resolution, typography, layout, and file format for each medium to produce high-quality content.

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