Paper and materials that say something
0.1 / What it's about
Material is part of the design.
Materials science shows how paper, cardboard, printing processes, finishing and post-press processing interact. You will learn how to interpret technical specifications, make informed material choices, and specify a print job in a way that allows the printer to provide an accurate quote.
The course is practical and complements 'Pipeline & Workflow', which focuses on print data. As a continuous example, you will be accompanied by Jonas, who plans printed matter for the 'Kornfeld' bakery in Lucerne. The round lightbulb button on the cards always shows three examples: best practice, okay, and inadequate.
Key questions of the course:
QUESTION 1
How does material become part of the message?
QUESTION 2
What do grammage, bulk and grain direction say about a paper?
QUESTION 3
Which printing method suits the print run and material?
QUESTION 4
How do you produce printed matter as resource-efficiently as possible?
Course framework:
TARGET AUDIENCE
Creators
Apprentices, students, and career starters in graphic and media design who plan printed materials.
SCOPE
8 × 90 mins
Plus final project; each module can also be used individually.
Format
Hands-on
With samples, calculators and decision-making tools; ideally with a paper sample in hand.
0.2 / Learning Objectives
What you will be able to do after the course.
After the course, you will be able to:
01
Understand material as part of the message and clearly formulate requirements
02
Assess papers based on grammage, bulk, grain direction and surface finish
03
choose the right printing process for your print run, colours and material
04
Use finishing and converting in a targeted and cost-conscious manner
05
write a complete and resource-efficient production specification
0.3 / Course content
All modules and sections at a glance.
Eight modules, each with a core question and a tool. Click on a module or jump straight to a section.
MODULE 01
How does the material itself become part of your design?
MODULE 02
What properties define a paper, and how do you read them?
MODULE 03
Which paper type is right for which printed matter?
MODULE 04
Which printing method suits the print run, colour and material?
MODULE 05
Why does the same colour look different on different paper?
MODULE 06
When is finishing worthwhile, and how much does it cost?
MODULE 07
How does a sheet become a leaflet or a brochure?
MODULE 08
How do you produce printed matter responsibly and well-documented?
0.4 / Procedure per module
Each module follows the same structure.
The rhythm stays the same, the content changes:
01
Introduction (10 mins)
Pick up a sample and describe what you notice.
02
Input (20 mins)
Technical terms and relationships using real-world examples.
03
Tool (15 mins)
Calculate, compare, or make decisions with the interactive tool.
04
Exercise (35 mins)
Solve a task related to the "Cornfield" project or to your own project.
05
Reflection (10 mins)
Compare results and capture the essentials.
In each section, you'll find a key takeaway in bold with a lightning bolt icon, an exercise behind the blue button, a read-aloud function, and examples behind the light bulb on many cards. Keep the samples from the exercises: they will become your material library in the end.
0.5 / Certificate of achievement
A material library and a true specification.
Final project: You will build a material library with annotated samples and write a full production specification for the 'Kornfeld' printed materials that a print shop can quote on.
01
Collect samples
Procure and label at least twelve paper, cardboard, and print samples.
02
Organise library
Organise samples by grade, grammage, and application, and add brief comments.
03
Select material
Provide the rationale for the paper, printing process and finishing for each 'Kornfeld' printed item.
04
Write specification
Specify the format, extent, paper, printing, finishing, processing, and print run.
05
have a conversation
Discuss the specification with a printing company and incorporate the feedback.
Evaluation criteria: completeness and organisation of the library, correct technical terminology, justified choice of materials, a specification with no open questions, and a conscious approach to costs and the environment.
0.6 / Literature and Sources
For further reading and in-depth exploration.
• Kipphan, H. (ed.) (2000): Handbuch der Printmedien. Technologien und Produktionsverfahren. Berlin: Springer
• Böhringer, J., Bühler, P., Schlaich, P. (2011): Compendium of Media Design. Berlin: Springer
• Bann, D. (2006): The All New Print Production Handbook. Mies: RotoVision
• Ambrose, G., Harris, P. (2006): Print and Finish. Lausanne: AVA Publishing
• Hunter, D. (1978): Papermaking. The History and Technique of an Ancient Craft. New York: Dover
• Braungart, M., McDonough, W. (2002): Cradle to Cradle. Remaking the Way We Make Things. New York: North Point Press
• ISO 216 (2007): Writing paper and certain classes of printed matter – Trimmed sizes – A and B series
• ISO 12647-2 (2013): Graphic technology – Process control for the production of half-tone colour separations, proof and production prints – Part 2: Offset lithographic processes
• Forest Stewardship Council (2021): FSC-STD-40-004 V3-1, Chain of Custody Certification
Please note: Many paper manufacturers and printing companies provide sample books and technical data sheets free of charge. The years indicate the first edition.