Design Development: Stock Choices & Printing Methods

Considerations for stock choices were particularly necessary in furthering the products ethical ideology. As such, the design inquired into which stock uses plastic and which ones are recycled. The design utilises lots of negative space and only black ink to further its eco-consciousness of its material outputs. 

The playing cards were printed onto 350gsm 'Cyclus Recycled' paper to ensure a thick card that would serve its purpose well. Although the card is an off-white due its recycled nature, the design prioritised material sourcing in its outputs. The cards were aligned on InDesign and printed double sided in a 6 x 9 cm dimension. They were then individually cut and measured as the border was not printed and the design did not want to re-print and thus waste the stock already used. Design decisions that are important in avoiding hypocrisies. 

For the sleeve design pre-planning was important to avoid miss-measured outputs, especially in a time where digital printing is limited in accessibility. Thus using card a net template was produced using the new box measurements to ensure the sleeve fitted.

When digitally printing the sleeve, the design decided to print two copies, one that would be screen-printed with the thermochromic ink, and one that not use it. Due to the expense of the ink, there was only enough to do one experiment, so ensuring a backup was important. 

The stock choice needed to be thick and endurable, however did not want to include plastic. Most of the better looking cards had a lot of plastic in their outputs, however it was pointed out that one was more cotton based and so this was selected. The version printed on non-shine paper would then be used for the thermochromic screen-printing coat as this would be more absorbent of the ink thus more reliable, and the shimmer print will act as an alternate cover, displaying the branding well.

heavy plastic

cotton based

When the back-up was trimmed, the edges were cut off a bit too much and so there is a tight squeeze when coating the wooden box, making it hard to get on and off. However, this would not occur in general production so the design notes this. 

Before screen printing the other sleeve, it had to be checked that the external inks were safe. By providing a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), it was noted that although safe to use (with gloves), the ink did have a lot of chemicals in it. Nonetheless it was safe to operate and the effect was successful. 

The design made the mistake of folding the net before printing to test it fit around the box, meaning the print was uneven and creased. Despite this, the subsequent tonal disparity actually works well with providing a texture and thus deep tone of voice to the game which the design found some critiquers actually favoured. Furthermore, the shading also meant that the underneath type was semi-visible, giving a sort of embossed look that made a successful finish to the overall aesthetic.