T206 production/printing questions/comments

[bijoem]

Originally Posted by tedzan

But, you're our resident printer, isn't it common sense that the ONE color process that T206 backs are was printed first ?

Then, the more complex 6-color process in printing the fronts followed....on the pre-printed sheets (with backs) ? ?


TED Z

Ted....

looking at the overall product - (the cards).......
I would say no.

Since the Fronts are common (to a variety of backs) -
I would think it more logical to print the fronts...... and then as you need certain quantities for certain backs, you back up those sheets with the backs.

As far as what is the more difficult part - yes.... the fronts had to be more difficult / but they still had to get done - so I don't see the difficulty as a determining factor as to what went first.

But.... if the pressman had the press setup and running for 'backs' and ran out of front sheets to back up.... precisely because of potential difficulty - I could see the pressman continue to run backs on virgin stock (especially knowing the size of the overall order / more cards would be needed).

Also....
No doubt these cards were printed over multiple press runs, spanning days, weeks, or months, and you could very easily have had it run on many presses at one time (meaning different pressman / different machinery / all in the same shop).

To a point made earlier:
As far as why you may find more cards that have a blank back (as opposed to those that have a blank front).....

In general, I think it more unlikely that a cutter would cut down a sheet of just backs. Realize after the press run - there are other processes - and other eyes and hands that go over the product. I could see someone cutting down sheets of just fronts (for themselves or others) - but I have no idea why sheets of backs would be cut down and saved.