Production for Illustrators

Illustrators frequently find their artwork being used for a whole range of objects - from prints, comics, zines and posters; to books, signage and packaging.

There are many printed product websites out there, where you can upload an illustration to objects produced on the other side of the world. However, you might be surprised how easy (and low cost) it is to get things made in your local area, which means supporting other small businesses at the same time. There are also many facilities where you can experiment with the processes and materials yourself.

To try and make this easier, we’ve written this guide. It is part inspiration for finding out about processes, and part guide to find out where you can get your artwork into production.  

We’ve tried to cover ten core processes and mediums with these ten, but if there are any we’ve missed, or more you think we should add then please fire over an email with your ideas. 

1. Risograph Printing 

Risograph printing is a low cost, environmentally-friendly process, commonly used for zines, poster prints, cassette sleeves and flyers. It can also be used for things like envelopes, stickers, beer labels, bookmarks, wrapping paper - in fact anything that fits on a sheet of paper that's A3 or smaller.

The machine is essentially a high-speed photocopier, where spinning ink drums rotate onto the paper surface. The process works in layers, where colours are individually registered so the results can be similar to that of screen printing. The difference is that the end result of risography is grainier in texture - and much cheaper to produce. Because of this, it is often associated with self-publishing work. 

Where can I Riso print in Scotland?

To get pieces Riso printed in Glasgow, get in touch with Risotto Press. Setting up files for Risograph printing can seem a little daunting so Gabi has this fantastic guide to setting up your files here is a great resource. Her blog is also a useful source of inspiration. 

For Risograph Printing in Edinburgh, speak to Workhorse Press. There is also now a risograph printer you can access yourself at DCA Print Studio.

 

 

You can hear Workhorse Press explaining the Risograph process here.

2. Screen Printing

Screen printing is a process commonly used for making multiples, and works by pushing ink through an exposed mesh screen onto a surface. The process can be used to print onto almost any material, and is frequently used for printing graphics onto paper, card, plastics, textiles, glass, wood and metal. For printing on paper for example, the mesh of a screen is generally tighter for more precision, and the inks used can also vary. Most screen printers are skilled specifically to the material that they print onto. 

To have paper prints, made for you - have a look at Ashton Screen Print in Glasgow. There is also a screen-printing service available at East End Press, who tend to work on notecards and stationary.

Where can I screen print in Scotland?

For textile screen printing, speak to Jamie Tetsill at Square Club, or get yourself onto the screen printing tables at Heriot Watt. There are also more commercial services for T-Shirts, Sweatshirts (and the inevitable Tote Bag) at Studio Native, or Bar One Clothing. For printing onto surfaces like metal, have a look at NPI solutions in Irvine.  

To get printing (on paper) yourself take a trip to Glasgow Print Studio, DCA Print Studio or Highland Print Studio in Inverness have accessible equipment. You can also go here to expose your own screen, if you intend to print on an unusual surface at home.

 

Some print studios such as Edinburgh Printmakers, and Peacock Visual Arts will also make artist prints on commission. You can find out more about Scotland’s open access Print Studios in our guide to facilities here. 

If you are interested in some DIY Screen-printing, you can use a vinyl cutter at somewhere like MAKLab. This way, instead of exposing the screen, vinyl is used directly to block out areas of the screen. 

For more information about how Screen Printing works, check out the Make Works guide to printmaking here. 

3. Digital Fabric Printing

A relatively new process for illustrators is that of digital fabric printing. The process, essentially a digital printer for fabrics - makes the production of small run, customised textiles an accessible and affordable one. The advantage it has for illustrators over screenprinting, is that you can have multiple colours, and intricate designs printed easily. By taking a digital file, drawings and designs can be printed directly onto a huge range of silks, linens and fabrics. These can then be made into garments, scarves, accessories and homewares.  

Where can I digitally fabric print in Scotland?

 

In Edinburgh, we recommend digital fabric printers BeFab Be Creative. In Glasgow, take a look at the CAT Centre based at Glasgow School of Art. 

For more information on how Digital Fabric Printing works, take a look at the Make Works guide. 

4. Decal Printing

Decal printing is the process of transferring illustrated images onto ceramic works. The process means printing onto decal sheets, which can be made by screen printing, inkjet or through offset lithography.

The sheets with the printed graphics, are then applied to ceramic objects using heat or waterslide transfer. The result is that durable graphics are in place on glazed surfaces, such as mugs, bowls, plates and vessels. The process can be utilised for small to large scale production. 

Where can I get decal prints made in Scotland? 

 

In Scotland, we suggest working with a ceramics facility such as Cyan Clayworks in Edinburgh, to get to grips with how the objects are made. You can also work with workshops such as Glasgow Ceramics Studio, or Fireworks - where if you arrive with decals printed yourself, you can have the objects fired in-house. Another option is working with a ceramicist for advice, tuition or fabrication, such as Kevin Andrew Morris. 

For more information about how the process works, have a look at the Make Works guide to Ceramics. 

Laser cutting is a process which gives a very precise finish, created from a digital file. The power of the laser can be adjusted to give cut, etch or raster onto materials such as plastics, wood and leather. It is often used by designers for prototyping, packaging, sign-making and exhibition materials. The process can cut materials up to 9mm thick, and most lasers are around 1200mm x 1200mm in dimension.

Where can I laser cut in Scotland?

Glasgow has a whole host of laser cutting services -  such as Podbox, Flux Laser Studio and Adam Plastics. 

For laser cutting in Edinburgh have a look at Evergreen Studio or B Scenic. To laser cut something yourself, head over to MAKLab, or DCA Print Studio in Dundee. 

For how it works, take a look at the Make Works Guide to Laser Cutting. 

If you are looking to etch or cut illustrations on almost any material (and feeling limited by the scale of laser cutting) then you may want to think about the process of Water Jet Cutting too. 

6. Letterpress Printing  

Letterpress printing is a relief printing process, where ink is pressed onto the surface of paper and card. It is used in both small scale and mass production and is intrinsically linked to the development of type and the modern press.

The process is commonly used to produce posters, labels, business cards, postcards, swing-tags, invitations, posters and stationary. Today, it is also ideal for packaging projects with illustrators as plates can be made of drawings, which can then be embossed across the surface.

Where can I find a letterpress printer in Scotland?

For letterpress in Glasgow, speak to Glasgow Press in Govan. Further north in Nairn, family run Piccolo Press are specialist in foiling and high-end finishes. For larger runs, you might also be interested in speaking to Windmill Press in Aberdeen. In the east of Scotland, speak to Lyndsey at The Hunter Press.

For digitally printed cardboard packaging, speak to Boxshop in East Kilbride. 

Sign making is a way to get your illustrations out there on a large scale, often in an outdoor installation. Often sign makers such as SignPlan will use a combination of fabrication techniques to get the piece of work in place - such as CNC machining, plastics fabrication and joinery. 

Where can I get signs made in Scotland?

The application of graphics, is often done by vinyl cutting. There  is a vinyl-machine you can use yourself at MAKLab in Glasgow. Flux Laser Studio in Glasgow, Or All Round Signs in Aviemore will also do commission cutting. For larger scale work, the skilled team at Eastern Exhibition and Display just outside of Edinburgh are worth taking a trip to visit. It is also worth noting, that they are able to print onto almost anything, and have an installation service. 

More traditional methods of sign painting and murals are increasingly in use, with illustrators such as Laura Service or illustration collective Little Book Transfers. In Edinburgh, speak to master sign painter Robin Abbey. 

8. Bookbinding

Bookbinding is the process of assembling the pages of books, magazines, notebooks and paperbacks. Most commercial printers will have a binding department, and will typically offer saddle stitch, perfect (usually referred to as PUR) and wire-binding. This will also include finishing processes such as folding and guillotining - and are generally for soft cover books, catalogues, magazines and booklets. 

Where can I get books bound in Scotland?

Scotland has many commercial printers with binding and finishing in-house - from places like Glasgow PDC or Clydeside Press for short runs, to larger presses such as J Thompson with presses in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth, Inverness and Aberdeen. Most graphic designers will have accounts with these printers, and can be supplied with mock ups and samples of work. 

For hardcover or case binding, speak to Cameron bookbinders in Glasgow, or Downie Allison in Patrick. For specific bookbinding and restoration supplies, get in touch with specialists J Hewit in Edinburgh. For high-end bespoke books, speak to bookbinder Laura West on Skye. German trained bookbinder Corinna Krause also runs Sollas Bookbinders on the Isle of Uist. 

For creating loose-leaf or staple-bound newspapers, speak to Newspaper Club, who have an office in Glasgow. 

9. Paper Suppliers

Scotland used to be a country full of paper mills. Employee-owned paper mill in Glenrothes, Tullis Russell, sadly just closed down in March, however, they are still selling some papers such as Naturalis through international paper mill Arjowiggins. 

Where can I get paper supplied in Scotland?

Many designers also work with regional agents for the international paper suppliers, such as GF Smith, Arjo Wiggins, Favini, Fedrigoni or Gmund. Generally though, whichever printer or press you are working with will have an account with these suppliers, and should be able to order paper samples and paper in depending on your needs. For small supplies, speak to Aberdeen School Supplies and local art shops such as The Art Store, CASS Art or Millers will have stock too. 

If you are interested in making paper yourself, you can try PULP paper in Glasgow - who make individual sheets through to paper moulding and casting. 

If you are interesting in paper making machinery, you can get your hands on some from John Wilkie in Perth. 

10. Picture Framers

There are many ways of displaying and installing prints - whether it's framed, attached using bulldog clips, wallpaper pasted, on in presentation folders. 

Where can I get pictures framed in Scotland?

For framing, we put our trust in Kelvin Framers, Glasgow. The artist-led workshop make surprisingly low-cost, high quality frames for many artists across Scotland. For a gilded frame, speak to Lynwood Carvers and Gilders. 

If you are really excited about printing artworks, get involved in Print Festival Scotland, taking place from June - 5th July