T206- Which was printed first, the front or back?

[edjs]

Seeing the thread about shipping of T cards reminded me of a question I always ponder; which was printed first, the front or back? The obvious argument would be the front, since there are blank backed cards. But if this is true, then why are there scrap cards out there with backs printed on them? If a printer is going to scrap the front, why even bother printing the backs? Also, I figured this would be a great place (as if we need another one) to show both your scraps and blank backs. I'm sure you guys (I'm talking to you Johnny and Chris) will hate this topic.

[Pilot172000]

Do we see blank front cards? Honest question.

[edjs]

Originally Posted by Pilot172000

Do we see blank front cards? Honest question.

No, as far as I know there has never been a blank front card.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Pilot172000

Do we see blank front cards? Honest question.

Of course we don't. There would be no reason for a printer to save a card with no player on it.

[Sean]

I don't think that this proves anything, but here is a card with the back overprinted on the front:


scan0036.jpg

[sando69]

how can that be "over-printed" if it's backwards...
doesn't that have to be really wet wst?

[Pilot172000]

Sean it's amazing what people keep. I stand amazed at how many mysteries surround something that was mass produced in the millions upon millions! I mean seriously, how do we not have a single uncut sheet in the entire world.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by sando69

how can that be "over-printed" if it's backwards...
doesn't that have to be really wet wst?

That card is an impression cylinder transfer. I did a thread about the difference between that and a WST a couple months ago. I can't link to that thread because I'm still struggling with computers. But if you search you can find it. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

[Jantz]

Originally Posted by edjs

Seeing the thread about shipping of T cards reminded me of a question I always ponder; which was printed first, the front or back? The obvious argument would be the front, since there are blank backed cards. But if this is true, then why are there scrap cards out there with backs printed on them? If a printer is going to scrap the front, why even bother printing the backs? Also, I figured this would be a great place (as if we need another one) to show both your scraps and blank backs. I'm sure you guys (I'm talking to you Johnny and Chris) will hate this topic.

The fronts were printed first and were assigned a back advertisement according to the number/quantity of print orders that needed filled for demand and distribution.

Popularity of the brands of cigarettes dictated the supply or number of orders and the number of sheets printed to fill those orders accordingly.

[Sean]

Bryan, great 1000th post. I never thought about it, but those yellow/brown scraps make me wonder: if the fronts were printed first, why were backs printed on them before they were scrapped?

[edjs]

Bryan, I am honored that my humble thread question earned your milestone post. Great post.

[Jobu]

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to make my 1,000th post something other than a "+1" on a pick up thread.

Originally Posted by edjs

Bryan, I am honored that my humble thread question earned your milestone post. Great post.

[Jobu]

To me the yellow browns are the only evidence that backs were sometimes printed first. I can see this happening like this: if standard practice was that the fronts were printed first you would end up creating a pile of blank backs. The printer then set up the press and got out the ink to print the backs on those completed fronts. However, it might have sometimes happened that the printer printed backs on all of the completed fronts that needed them but still had the printer set up with ink left and ready to go - so rather than waste that ink he would print some backs with blank fronts to be ready to have fronts added to them later.

I should qualify all of this speculation by noting that I only have a rudimentary understanding of the printing process so I am looking forward to feedback from those who know more than I do.

Originally Posted by Sean

Bryan, great 1000th post. I never thought about it, but those yellow/brown scraps make me wonder: if the fronts were printed first, why were backs printed on them before they were scrapped?