ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS
Graphic Products often include additional components either for a function (to do a job), or for decoration.
You may be asked about these, or consider using them as part of your design questions.
REMEMBER: Adding any extra item to a graphics product increases
the cost of production! $£$£
EYELETS
These are small metal fixings with a hole in the middle.
They are applied to papers & boards using a hammer and a special eyelet tool
They come in many shapes and sizes and are often ‘themed’
They are often used to attach cords and ribbons to graphic items such as retail hang tags, or to make things rotate. It is a permanent fixture.
PAPER FASTENINGS & SPLIT PINS
These are small metal pins with two ‘legs’. They are pushed through a hole and the legs bent back to secure then pin.
Often used for rotating parts (pop up cards) or decoration.
FIBRES, CORDS & RIBBONS
Often used for decoration on expensive products such as chocolates and gift boxes.
Used for functional uses such as handles on activity packs, and on hang tags.
SEQUINS & BUTTONS
Often used for decorative purposes on high quality or party products.
Can be printed onto, but this increases the cost.
Sequins can be die cut into many different shapes.
FASTENING DEVICES
Activity packs often come in carry cases with a way of fastening them.
These can be magnetic, Velcro, press studs or elastic designs.
HANDLES
These are often on party and activity packs
They can be made from a variety of material: Injection moulded plastic such as Polypropylene, cord, ribbon or paper.
ACETATE FILM
A transparent (clear) sheet of plastic, often used to put ‘windows’ in boxes & gift bags.
It allows a clear view of the product whilst still securely holding it inside the box.
MAP PINS
These are often used onarchitectural models and maps to mark specific places.
They are very sharp, and therefore unsafe for use on children’s products.
CLIPS
Often themed to match a theme.
Used to temporarily hold together pieces of paper (note pads) or thin board.
Often contained in children’s activity packs and stationary sets.
DESIGN TASK: Hang Tag
On plain A4 paper: Design a hang tag, to hang from a children’s fancy dress outfit.
You must show the front and back of the hang tag.
It must follow this specification:
It must be based on the theme of a children’s party
It must contain at least 2 additional components (eyelets, ribbons, split pins, acetate, sequins, cord, buttons)
