Technical aspects of designing
and making
Materials
Aim of the lesson
• To understand about different materials used
by Graphic designers-what they are; how they
are made; their properties and uses.
Starter
• Make a brainstorm or a list of as many words
as you can think of that describe packaging.
There are a wide variety of packaging materials
for designers to choose from.
Each material has its own
characteristics.
Some are rigid while others are flexible.
Some are made from new materials, taking advantage
of new technologies and processes.
Others have been recycled and are
therefore, usually, more sustainable.
All of them come in a range of sizes. thickness, colour
and finish.
Paper
Sizes
Papers and boards come in
different weights and sizes.
Paper is measured in
grams per metre squared
(gsm), this refers to the
weight per square metre.
Anything over 200gsm is
classed as board. Normal
paper for exercise books
and photocopiers is about
80gsm. Paper that is
160gsm is twice as heavy
(Thicker). 500gsm is thick
card.
Paper and card
• Paper and card are cheap to produce and are sustainable (they
come from wood pulp – a sustainable source - and can be
recycled). They can be cut and shaped with scissors or craft
knives. They can be printed on easily but their main disadvantage
is that they become weak when wet.
• Tracing paper is used by pupils, students and designers. It allows
the designer to copy an existing drawing / shape. Tracing paper
can be useful when there is a need to produce several drawings
that are based on the same outline.
• Also, tracing paper makes it possible to place one design on top of
another to produce a second layer. The original design can be
seen under the second drawing.
• Cartridge paper is used for general drawing. It is often good
quality and generally 100 to 135g in thickness.
• Cardboard is thicker than paper as it is made up of a number of
layers, glue or laminated together. It makes an excellent printing
surface for items like food cartons but isn’t very strong,
particularly when wet. 125 - 300 gsm
Paper and card
• White board is a strong medium.It is bleached so it provides
a good surface for printing. It is used for good quality
packaging and book covers. 200 - 400 gsm
• Duplex board is used for containers and can contain liquids
as it may have a water-proof liner on the inside. It can have
a waxy feel. This type of card is used by the food industry
and consequently recycled card is not used in its
manufacture. 230 - 420 gsm
• Corrugated board is strong because it is composed of a top
and bottom layer and in between there is a triangulated
section. A triangular section is very strong compared to its
weight. It is therefore ideal for storage boxes. 250+ gsm
• Foil lined board is good quality cardboard with a aluminium
foil lining. This type of container is ideal for ready made
meals or take away meals. The foil retains the heat and
helps keep the food warm.
Plastics
Thermoplastics
Thermoplastics can be heated and shaped many times.
Thermoplastic will soften when it is heated and can be shaped when
hot. The plastic will harden when cooled, but can be reshaped
because there are no links between the polymer chains.
Thermoplastic sheet is ideal for line bending and vacuum forming in
packaging.
Some examples:
Thermoplastics
•
Polythene: low density (LDPE): Tough, good resistance to chemicals, flexible and fairly soft.
Used for packaging, especially bottles, toys, packaging film and carrier bags.
•
Polythene: high density (HDPE). Hard, stiff, able to be sterilised. Used for things like 'plastic'
bottles, milk crates.
•
Acrylic : Stiff and hard but scratches easily. Durable but can be brittle. Used for things like
signs, covers of storage boxes.
•
Polypropylene (PP): Lightweight and hard but can scratch easily, tough. Used for things like
school chair seats, CD cases and containers.
•
High impact polystyrene (HIPS) : Light but strong plastic. Widely available in sheet form.
Used for vacuum forming.
•
UPVC (polyvinyl chloride): Hard wearing. Used for soft drinks containers
that are not pressurised.
•
Polyester: PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) : is the most common plastic. It is shatter proof,
becoming very popular for drinks containers. It is shatter proof, light weight and 90%
recyclable. Used for things like plastic bags and food and drink containers.
Plastics
Thermosetting plastics
Thermosetting plastics can only be heated and shaped once.
If re-heated they cannot soften as polymer chains are interlinked.
Separate polymers are joined in order to form a huge polymer.
The main thermosetting plastics are, melamine formaldehyde,
polyester resin and urea formaldehyde
Thermosetting plastics
Some examples:
• Epoxy resin: is known for having excellent adhesion,
chemical and heat resistance and very good
electrical insulating properties. Used as an adhesive
and in surface coatings.
• Polyester resin (PR): Stiff, hard, brittle unless
laminated, good electrical insulator, Used for
casting and encapsulation, bonding of other
materials.
• Urea formaldehyde (UF). Used for things like
electrical fittings and adhesives.
Foam board
Foam board
• Foam board is a very strong, lightweight, and easily cut
material.
• It consists of three layers — an inner layer of
Polystyrene foam clad with outer facing of either a
white clay coated paper or brown paper.
• Foam board does not adhere well to some glues, such
as superglue and certain types of paint, as it dissolves
the foam. Best results are obtained from using spray
mount.
Styrofoam
Styrofoam
• The term Styrofoam is actually a trademark for
thermal insulation made from expanded
polystyrene.
• Polystyrene is thermoplastic, which means it can
melt at a high temperature and become a solid
again upon cooling.
• Styrofoam has strong insulating properties. This
means it is good for keeping food warmer and
fresher for longer than paper-based products.
• Styrofoam is not biodegradable but can be
recycled into other products.
Corriflute
Corriflute
• Corriflute or corriboard is a type of corrugated
produced from high-impact polypropylene resin
material.
• It is a light-weight tough material which can easily be
cut with a craft knife. Manufacturers typically offer a
wide variety of colours and thicknesses (commonly
4 mm).
• It can be joined using hot melt glue and there are a
range of colours available. Also, it is impact and heat
resistant.
• Corrugated plastic is usually made from polypropylene
which is capable of being recycled.
Corriflute
Corrugated card
Plenary
• You have 10 minutes to answer the following
questions: