___Laser Cutting
I wanted to re-create the type that is included in my book on the front covers of each book, so I had to create a wooden 'plate' for each of the books as well as one for the packaging. I headed over to the laser cutter to get the pieces cut out, then transferred them to some thick card, sticking them in place so they wouldn't move when in the press.
___Emboss or De-boss?
I then spent a few hours trying a few various different pressures and methods that I could use to emboss. I needed to find the perfect on to suit the publication.
I decided that De-bossing would probably be best as this was working succesfully in my samples.
I tried various different levels of cushions and pads in the press and wrote down all the different results. I generally liked the more subtle de bossed effects so this is what I will be using for my final publications when printed.
This was the sample that I was most pleased with. I used no pads for extra pressure, just paper pads underneath the stock with the type on top.
I tried the same on black. The effect of this wasn't as striking as on white stock, it would probably work better with a spot varnish as well to make the words stand out clearer. As i cannot achieve this in the time I have, I'll probably stick to the white stock.
Using colours was mainly to see how the embossing would transfer to my publications once they are printed. I will be embossing on to various different colours and also a glossy cover so this gives me an idea of how it might look. I'm pretty pleased with the result and with thicker stock, there will be no creasing.
This was a really light pressing method with no extra pads in place. I really like the textures that come through in these samples but its a shame you cannot really see it until you hold it at an angle. I want the embossing to be more striking on first sight, so unfortunately won't be able to use this method.
This is when I tried adding pads above and below the stock and also hard pressed. As you can see, the emboss is quite striking but the paper has began to crack even though I had wet it beforehand. Just too much.
This was my chosen stock. As you see, there is a much cleaner embossed effect achieved with this and It is much more visually appealing than my other efforts. This is what I will be using for my final packaging for the books.
___Packaging
Off-White Card - Box Packaging. This is what I will be using to house my colour co-ordinated books. I chose this particular net because I wanted the colour spines of the look to be on show as you can see in my diagram above.
I also trued it with this neon green cardboard packaging that I had previously got hold of. The colour scheme is wrong for me, but I wanted to see how the material would emboss as the thought of a cardboard box for packaging was quite appealing to me. The material ripped slightly so probably not suitable for what I wanted but I do like the actual look of the box like this.
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