ILE Reflection #2 (to be proofread...)

Roxanne and I have been helping with some minor chores since the seventh week at Sir Speedy. For example, think of some simple designs for the client, played with Flash, cut papers, compile papers that cannot be used anymore into small notepads, and etc. I've also learned how to use the paper cutter, hole puncher, photocopier during the past few weeks.

The most special experience was a visit to the printing press. There were many big machines for mass printing. The people there first print client's image on 4 pieces of metal plate, and then they would roll the metal plates into different machines for different colors. All the images are printed based on 4 different colors - CMYK. C for cyan, M for magenta, Y for yellow, and K for black. When it comes to bigger machines, the person can adjust the amount of ink by a computer and they would try to adjust the color of the image as close to the original design as possible.
Some clients are picky about the colors, therefore my mentor usually go to the printing press to make sure the colors on the image are the same as the original design. For smaller printing machines, the person will use his own judgment to mix the paints to get the right color.

I was quite amazed to see how little change in the amount of the inks will effect the complete product! The people in the printing shop will have to repeat the step of adjusting the amount of inks for at least 10 times to get the right color. Imagine doing this job for years and years... they must have a lot of patience to do this job well!
The total papers used for test-printing are also a lot. For example, if the client wants to print 1000 posters, then the clients must prepare 1200-1300 papers because those extra 200-300 pieces will be used for test printing. It is a huge amount of papers wasted. Therefore, the design industry are promoting digital design, so there won't be that many papers and inks wasted.