Scoring - When to do it
Heavy paper stock requires scoring before it can be folded cleanly and accurately. Scoring is commonly done on a press cylinder with score tape. The score needs to be simple and is usually done after the image is printed on the previous cylinders. The score tape can cause distortion in the registration. Simple scores for folds can be done on folding equipment, this score is not as accurate as a press score.
The highest quality score is a letterpress score. This score is usually done with a round scoring rule on a flat bed cylinder press. Always score so that the fold is made with the ridge or hinge on the inside for minimum paper stretch. The thicker the paper, the thicker the scoring rule must be to insure a clean fold.
1. If the job is laid out against the grain, it should be scored to prevent cracking.
2. Folding with the grain might also require scoring.
3. If the fold runs through an area of heavy ink coverage, it should be scored.
4. Any job with a gatefold should be scored at the thumb edge to prevent cracking and to make the job lie flatter.
5. 100# gloss text and all cover stocks should always be scored regardless of grain direction.
6. For the best results in scoring, a letterpress channel score be used.
Scoring is very critical if there is a need for high quality. There are different methods of scoring: roller, crease, slit, hot, platen, and string. Each having a different cost.
Roller scoring is not an acceptable method as the score does not crease the stock with even pressure. When the pressure is set heavy enough it may slit the stock in some places; when folded the stock surface will break.
Scoring against the grain will always cause cracking on the surface of the paper.
When scoring on top of solid printing the grain must be in the same direction as the score. If it is not the paper breaks at the score and the white center of the stock shows through.
When scoring over a printed surface, a double rule and string score using a platen process should be used.
When making a wrap around cover with a fold up pocket remember; you are scoring in two different directions. The grain should still run along the backbone. Remember the opposing scored area will most likely crack.
The stock that cracks the worst is a textured long fiber paper. Due to the long fiber, it does not conform to a fold.
When scoring stock being used for wrap around covers. They are scored: backbone scores (2) on the outside of the cover; fold/punch score, on inside of cover.
You should have a dummy made up for a wrap around cover to show Vendor.
The highest quality score is a letterpress score. This score is usually done with a round scoring rule on a flat bed cylinder press. Always score so that the fold is made with the ridge or hinge on the inside for minimum paper stretch. The thicker the paper, the thicker the scoring rule must be to insure a clean fold.
1. If the job is laid out against the grain, it should be scored to prevent cracking.
2. Folding with the grain might also require scoring.
3. If the fold runs through an area of heavy ink coverage, it should be scored.
4. Any job with a gatefold should be scored at the thumb edge to prevent cracking and to make the job lie flatter.
5. 100# gloss text and all cover stocks should always be scored regardless of grain direction.
6. For the best results in scoring, a letterpress channel score be used.
Scoring is very critical if there is a need for high quality. There are different methods of scoring: roller, crease, slit, hot, platen, and string. Each having a different cost.
Roller scoring is not an acceptable method as the score does not crease the stock with even pressure. When the pressure is set heavy enough it may slit the stock in some places; when folded the stock surface will break.
Scoring against the grain will always cause cracking on the surface of the paper.
When scoring on top of solid printing the grain must be in the same direction as the score. If it is not the paper breaks at the score and the white center of the stock shows through.
When scoring over a printed surface, a double rule and string score using a platen process should be used.
When making a wrap around cover with a fold up pocket remember; you are scoring in two different directions. The grain should still run along the backbone. Remember the opposing scored area will most likely crack.
The stock that cracks the worst is a textured long fiber paper. Due to the long fiber, it does not conform to a fold.
When scoring stock being used for wrap around covers. They are scored: backbone scores (2) on the outside of the cover; fold/punch score, on inside of cover.
You should have a dummy made up for a wrap around cover to show Vendor.