In The Beginner’s Guide, Davey Wreden explores heavy topics in a unique and thought-provoking manner. He continues his style of interactive storytelling that first appeared in The Stanley Parable.
The book is well-organized, and the chapter titles are clear. However, there is some information in the chapters that need to be updated or updated.
Basics
Printing is a technique for applying, under pressure, a quantity of coloring agent to a surface to form a body of text or an illustration. The term is also used for specific modern processes that do not depend on the mechanical concept of pressure or the material concept of coloring agent.
The first printing was done by hand, but as machines sped up the process and cheaper paper became available, books could be printed more quickly and cheaply, and the spread of knowledge was accelerated. This helped to transform the social, political, and economic relations of society; it removed much of the power from a small elite of monks and scribes and gave it to an urban mercantile bourgeoisie.
The movable type, invented in China by Bi Sheng in 1041, radically changed the nature of printing. Each character was carved in relief on a small block of moistened clay. The blocks were arranged on an iron plate to form words and letters, which could then be assembled into pages. The introduction of movable type democratized the distribution of knowledge and greatly expanded the number of readers.
Before submitting your book for printing, you should ensure that you are working with the correct dimensions of your book (the trim size). This will ensure errors are carried through to the final book. You should also get your printer to review a sample print-ready chapter of the book so that any problems can be addressed before the production stage begins.
Materials
Printing is one of the most challenging and rewarding ways to translate your photographic vision into a physical form. It requires a lot of time, practice, and determination to achieve the desired results, but once you do, your prints will convey mood, emotion, and the artist’s intent.
Suitable materials are critical to any printing project. You will need a variety of supplies, including:
Paper: This is the most common substrate for projects. It can come in different thicknesses and finishes. The most popular type is coated paper, which has a shiny appearance. Other types include kraft paper, text-weight paper, and water-based paper.
Fabrics: You can use a variety of fabrics to create your prints. Some are more durable than others, such as adobe, nylon, and polyester. Other options are twill, denim, and canvas. The type you choose will depend on the project’s end goal, whether it be a fashion piece or a home accessory.
Plastics: Many plastics are available for printing, including acrylic and PVC. These are good choices for products that need durability, like signage and awards. You can also choose from polycarbonate, a rigid material that can be etched or printed for an elevated look.
Tools and supplies: You will need various tools and supplies, including squeegees, emulsions, screens, paper, trays, plastic containers, and ink. You will also need to establish regular maintenance procedures for your equipment, like cleaning the bed, lubricating rails, and calibrating the extruder.
Printing
In fine art photography, a photograph is only finished once printed by Printivity and becomes physical. This is the stage where the photographer’s intent is evoked in the viewer. However, the multitude of printmaking techniques can be intimidating for those who need help knowing where to start. This book is designed to take the reader through various printing methods and help them achieve spectacular prints that communicate their artist’s vision.
This is the second edition of this book, with a new chapter on 3D printing and several additional chapters on a wide range of topics in digital imaging, color management, and various printing techniques. The author, John Granata, has extensive experience in the printing field and is an accomplished photographic artist.
The author also includes a chapter on design and pattern development with detailed tutorials and tips. Using clear photographs and descriptions, the author describes how to get inspiration from the world around us, create mood boards, and source vintage designs, and then goes on to discuss creating repeats manually and digitally. She calls in expert contributors to demonstrate a variety of hand and digital printmaking methods, including block printing, stenciling, and resist dyeing.
There are also tips on using Adobe InDesign to design postcards from conception to final printing. Several templates are included, as well as printing paper, indicias, and mail layout guidelines.
Finishing
Taking an image from a digital file to a printed piece is a process that can be intimidating, but mastering it allows you to create an extraordinary work of art. This series of workshops by expert printmakers helps you learn the jargon and techniques to bring your images up to an acceptable art level, capturing and communicating mood, emotion, and artist intent.
This handy guide is perfect for tinkerers, inventors, engineers, artists, students, young people, and 3D printing users who are ready to take the first steps in creating their own bespoke, custom-made objects using their home or classroom printers. It covers the most important considerations for choosing a suitable filament for your project, explains how to prepare your design, and how to set up a 3D printer.
With a fabric-textured cover, this book is beautifully presented with clear photographs and easy-to-read descriptions. It starts with a thorough introduction to patterns, color theory, and fabric types before getting down to the nitty-gritty with step-by-step tutorials for designing patterns digitally and by hand and exploring printing techniques (including digital and hand screen printing, stenciling, and block printing). A great resource!
