The 27th of April is World Design Day, an initiative that recognizes how design makes everyday life both beautiful and meaningful.
Printing techniques are an imprescriptible area in the field of design, and thanks to microscopy we can discover old and new techniques from the smallest details.
The beginnings of World Design Day came from Kim Paulsen, V.P. of the International Council of Graphic Design Associations (ico-D), and the first edition was held in 1995, but it was named World Graphics Day then.
Today we are going to show you how the history of graphic design and printing techniques can be discovered by looking under a microscope. There are two microscopically observed samples of graphic design products, such as an antique stamp and a brochure of a high-end product, both were printed with different techniques, which we can learn about today, thanks to microscopic observation.
Old stamp printing techniques from a century ago
Here we see a vintage Dutch jubilee stamp of Queen Wilhelmina, 7 1/2 cents 1923 carmine. This stamp was issued to commemorate the Queen’s 25th anniversary of her reign from 1898 till 1923.
The basis for the image of her portrait on this stamp is a copper engraving. The stamps were printed with copper plates with the printing ink being rolled into the grooves of the engraving.
Fig 1. - Old stamp. Image credit: Willem Cramer
During pressing of the stamps, the paper absorbs the ink from the grooves of the engraving. In the resulting short video, it is easy to recognize how the printing ink is clearly on top of the paper. This stamp was printed on sheets of 100 pieces.
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Fig 2. - Old stamp. Image credit: Willem Cramer
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Fig 3. - Old stamp. Image credit: Willem Cramer
Produced with Motic equipment:
Motic SMZ-171, stereomicroscope
With thanks to Rijk Koster, stamp collector.
High-end printing
For printed matter that is used in, for example, brochures for high-end products, such as Ferrari in this case, a polymer coating is applied that protects the printed matter and gives it an exclusive, beautiful shine.
Fig 4. - High-end printing brochure. Image credit: Willem Cramer
This coating is cured after application by means of UV radiation. The inkjet specks are clearly distinguishable in the images.
Fig 4. - High-end printing brochure. Image credit: Willem Cramer
Produced with Motic equipment:
Motic SMZ-171, stereomicroscope
Moticam S6 camera
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