LABEL | clemsongc4060

THREE COLOR LABEL ASSIGNMENT

SUMMARY

Design a direct label for a product line to be printed on the Comco Captain 10” wide narrow web flexographic press.. The product line stems from the brand or company your group has created for the semester. This label will be printed with 2 spot colors plus a black ink and the design will include solids, screen tints, and linework. Any process images must be converted to spot colors.

EXPECTED TIME OF COMPLETION

4-5 laboratory sessions

FULL ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS

Download the full assignment below.

LABEL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

Use of 3 inks total… 2 spot color inks (PMS Solid Coated) & 1 black ink
Spot color choices: example: 300 blue, 199 red, or 129 yellow
Minimum of 5 screen tints of colors
The use of at least 2 “built colors” or “free colors” (overprints)
Positive and reverse text
Solids (100% tint)
At least two colors touching that require trapping
1/16" bleed
Artwork bleeding outside the dieline

PROCEDURE

PREPRESS

1. Select a project leader within your group (2 person or 3 person) for this project and assign each member to different tasks

2. Select dieline (shape)

There are several dies that exist so you must select the size and shape you like
Do not use any die lines that are labeled (film) on the side of the package
All cutting dies used in this class are magnetic dies and set up for 12” repeat lengths…the most common plate cylinder sizes in lab.
Double check to ensure die repeat and fit for Comco press
Show instructor or lab TA desired dieline and get approval to use
Resources
- GC 406 Server > Class Resources
- dieline books that have the die shapes

4. Brainstorm thumbnails. Each group member must sketch at least 3 thumbnails.

Refer to the Label Design Requirements
Multiple final designs from the group can be ganged into one job and, if appropriate, ganged with another group
Apply design principles learned in GC 1020, 1040 & 2070 such as harmony, balance, contrast, typography, and color schemes. Use your notes or internet resources as a refresher on these principles.
Thumbnails must be submitted by the assigned due date
Evaluate thumbnails with the instructor or TA to get approval to continue to create rough layout

5. Create rough layout of label

After reviewing the thumbnails, prepare a rough layout of your label electronically
Evaluate your rough layout with instructor and get approval to continue work
Use layers to keep file organized in Adobe Illustrator

6. Finalize design(s)

Refer to the Label Designs Requirement to ensure that your label is meeting all requirements
Chose the labels that you want to run on press based on your dieline and group
- Ex. A group of 2 people with a dieline that has 3 columns across may have one person design 1 label and one person design 2 labels
Have the design approved by the instructor

7. Set up the dieline layout

Follow the video guide in the video tab in the semester schedule for setting up a dieline.

DOWNLOADS

You create the die layout in accordance with the specifications of the die. USE the Object>Transform>Move command in conjunction with the transform palette for ALL movements.
Set die lines to a "technical color" which shall not be used for any design color. Set dieline to "overprint" in attributes panel
Insert Bearer Bars Template and modify the bearer bars according to the notes in the file
Add center marks, add color call outs, and add group info as such: [Year] [semester] [lab MW or TR ] Names, Brand
TINT swatches with bearer bars will contain 100%, 70%, 30%, 10%, 3%

8. Gang designs

Complete the 1 up comprehensive design (or designs if your die allows a group member to create more than one design
Once the template is complete, transfer the artwork over on a separate layer

8. Prepare file for platemaking

Files must only have 3 spot colors, must be trapped, and have appropriate bleeds outside of the dieline.
Apply distortion using the distortion calculator http://www.flexoexchange.com/. The instructor or grad assistant will assist with sending your file to the correct output device.

8. Print Proof

Proofing will be done on your monitor prior to a final press proof being output.
You must use Window>ESKO>viewer to validate your design only has three colors.
Once the file has been preflighted using steps above, proof your file through the CGS ORIS computer that prints to the Epson 7900 (did this for TT file)
You MUST have your proof approved before proceeding to plates.

8. RIP files

PREPARE TO PRINT

Preparation (completed before lab)

10. Review notes about creating and mounting plates and look at the Resources tab for more information

11. Watch the Press Run and Cleaning Videos before your press run

Preparation (in lab)

11. Create plates. Refer back to notes about plate making.

11. Claim 3 print cylinders of the same series and width

Ensure that the plate cylinder is appropriate for your repeat length and stickyback thickness

13. Mount stickyback and plates

Follow your notes from the plate mounting demo to mount your plates on the cylinder
Ensure that the stickyback is appropriate for your cylinder undercut
Have the instructor or grad assistant to check your plate cylinders
NOTE - plates are to be mounted PRIOR to your press date or points will be deducted from your final grade

14. Mix ink

Inking - select the correct ink from the ink closet and follow your notes from the ink demo to test and modify the ink. Your instructor will set up one ink station, you and your partner will set up one color each.
Measure the pH of the ink

15. Conduct drawdowns of the two spot colors used in the label design

16. Claim the substrate that you want to use for your label project

Find a roll of the appropriate substrate at the correct size

17. Find the desired die and bring it (still in it’s box) to the press

ON PRESS

18. Review notes about press runs and look at the Resources tab for more information.

MEASUREMENTS

19. Review the Proofer Queue LAP (download below)

ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION

PHYSICAL COPY (turn in at lab - corrugated folders provided for turning in assignments)

At least 3 thumbnail sketches from each group member
1 up comprehsive design proof from color printer, hand mark all required design elements
Ink Draw Downs
10 press sheets cut at 12” intervals
Digital Hard Proofs (proof 1 and then color corrected proof 2)
Printout of process control datasheet

ELECTRONIC COPY (turn into Canvas)

Project Report - 1 per group

Label Checklist

Die Book

Proofer Queue - LAP

Label Assignment

Ink Mixing - LAP

Ink Drawdowns - LAP

Comco Ink station set up - LAP

Comco Clean Up - LAP

Bearer Bars

REMINDER

Graphic Communications is about problem solving. If you run into confusion about the assignment even with all of these resources, use the resources around you in LAPs, the resource tab in the semester schedule, or fellow classmates to try to solve the problem first.