Media students learn about commercial printing

May 2013

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Flora, Aidan, Charley, Adam and Liam with Ian Fothergill, Director of Linton's Printers.

Year 12 students have recently visited Linton's Printers in Crook to learn about commercial printing as part of their Print-Based Media studies. The visit was arranged so that students could gain a better understanding of the process involved in lithographic printing, a commercial process used to produce high quality printed products, including Vision magazine.

During the visit, students were guided through the various stages of printing Vision magazine by Linton's Director, Ian Fothergill. The step-by-step session, which included plate-making, setting up of the printing press, collation, assembly and trimming, perfectly demonstrated the specialist knowledge and skill needed in professional print production.

Afterwards, students confessed that they had envisioned a "large photocopying machine', and that they had been both surprised and interested in the complex processes that all happen "behind the scenes'. It was an enjoyable visit and one that has proved to be highly beneficial; in their written work, it is apparent that students gained a much deeper understanding of the process than what could have been achieved in a classroom setting alone. Students are not only using a high level of technical vocabulary with confidence, but they are also offering descriptions that are much more in-depth.

To apply their newfound knowledge, the group went on to design and manage the production of the 2013 Year Book as part of their current BTEC unit. The artwork is now with Linton's for printing and we would like to extend our sincere thanks for accommodating us.

Commercial Printing