MEĐUNARODNI SIMPOZIJUM GRAFIČKOG INŽENJERSTVA I DIZAJNA

Abstract:
In recent years, some have predicted that printing and graphic arts will be eliminated by electronic and digital media. Within these predictions there was no future physical carriers of communication and paper would be replaced by monitors and screens, tablets and mobile devices. Back at DRUPA 1982, the introduction of the so-called “Desktop Publishing” has led to an exhibition under the title “Goodbye Gutenberg”, predicting also that print was under threat by new electronic technologies. Hence, until today, graphic arts industry, printing and publishing and most of all packaging, present a continuous positive development, together with structural changes in the entire spectrum of research, industry and education. Graphic Arts today is characterized by rapid technological developments, restructuring of design, management and production processes, and the application of various innovations. One of the most important indicators is the integration of basic and applied research in many fields, which leads to a new shape of the sector. In the present paper, issues concerning the following will be addressed (among others):
– Typography and its importance in the digital media domain
– Evolution, Innovations and main trends in the graphic arts, printing and packaging industry
– Digitalization and printing production (Industry 4.0, 3D printing)
– The concept of Industrial Printing
In this keynote paper, effort will be given to illustrate the trends and developments in graphic arts fields. Further, the parameters confirming that printing, paper, typography, bookbinding and packaging will stay alive in the digital era will be analyzed. In addition, the graphic arts sector and its positioning in the so-called “post-industrial” society, will be investigated and the new directions for the graphic arts research, industry and business as well as the requirements for education will be identified.

Keywords:
graphic arts innovations, typography, printing, packaging, industry 4.0, industrial printing

Abstract:
The objective of the study is to evaluate the indoor air quality in digital printing facility during the three working weeks (120 hours). For that purpose, mass concentrations of suspended particulate matter of diameter less than 10 μm (PM10) were monitored in addition to single-color and four-color digital machines. The cumulative mass concentrations values of PM10 for single-color digital machine were in the range from 1.36 to 9.90 μg/m3, and they are almost 1.4 and 2.2 times higher compared to the same values for the four-color machine (0.97 - 4.44 μg/m3). The obtained results could be useful for the risk assessment of indoor exposure to suspended PM10 particles, and for the creation of printing indoor air quality guidelines of the Republic of Serbia.

Keywords:
digital printing, suspended particulate matter, indoor air quality

Abstract:
There are many parameters influencing transfer of the printing ink onto the printing substrates. Beside printing press characteristic one of most influential parameters is interface interactions in the offset blanket-printing ink-printing substrate system.
The aim of this paper is to determine printing ink and substrate properties as an influential parameter to the printing ink transfer, i.e. properties of the imprint. To achieve this goal, this research will be conducted in three steps. First, characterization of the printing substrates (coated and uncoated samples) and printing ink will be performed. The printing substrates will be characterized by determining smoothness of paper according to Bekk and surface free energy, while to printing ink’s tack will be determined to detect property of the printing ink influencing the ink transfer. In the second stage a multipurpose printability testing machine will be used to produce laboratory prints. Finally, the prints will be characterized by conducting optical measurements (spectrophotometric and densitometric measurements) and determination of physical properties of the ink film (mass of the dried ink film).
The results of the research have proven that characteristics of the printing substrate and tack of the printing ink influence transfer of the printing ink onto the printing substrate, i. e. print quality.

Keywords:
lithography, printing ink, printing substrate, ink film

Abstract:
Surface nonuniformity can appear at a print in two forms: random or as a systematic variation. Both types appear in digital printing, but in this study, an only random variation on the digital prints was analyzed. We used two methods for quantification of the nonuniformity: M Score and ISO methods, which are based on physical measurement of the prints, using one of the measuring instruments that measure the colourimetric (L*a*b* values) and densitometric (optical density) values. Samples used in this paper were generated using the software MATLAB - Macro Uniformity Toolbox add-in that is printed on the same paper using ink jet printing machine Epson Stylus PRO 7800. We used spectrophotometer Eye One Pro2 and software Measure Tool to measure samples. Other calculations are done in a software application in Microsoft Excel. Based on the results obtained in the research, it is concluded that both methods can be used to measure the random variation of the print nonuniformity.

Keywords:
random print nonuniformity, M Score, optical density, digital printing

Abstract:
Barrier coatings of fibrous materials are of great interest for the packaging paper producers as increased resistance to oils, grease and other agents with the paper packaging increases the usability of the product. The barrier coatings have to withhold several parameters regarding resistance for the penetration of various agents, runnability on the machines regarding mechanical properties and also printability futures to enhance the packaging. Different sacks, bags and other products are mainly produced by coating the surface of the paper with the appropriate coatings which can be petroleum-based waxes, polymers solutions or pigments. By applying the barrier coatings the surface topography and porosity as well the surface chemistry is changed as the used polymers, waxes and other products which fill the fibrous network of the packaging change the macrostructure and induce different chemical compounds on the surface. These products are mainly printed with flexo technology We have checked the grease resistance with the KIT test (Tappi T 559), dynamic contact angle change, the penetration of liquids and the surface coverage of plasma treated waxed and base papers. Our results indicate improved printability and liquid penetration but also the lowering of grease resistance after plasma treatment. The treatment is possible but further adjustments regarding plasma power and time of treatment are needed to find the optimal parameters for different kind of barrier coated papers.

Keywords:
waxed paper, plasma, dynamic contact angle, liquid penetration dynamics

Abstract:
This paper deals with the characterization of a Pentax K 10 digital camera in order to be used in colorimetric measurements in a custom built setup employing a LED light source. The experiment focuses on colour characterization using several polynomial transformation models in comparison to ICC based colour characterisation. Altogether 5 polynomial models are applied and evaluated by capturing set of uniform colour patches. Preliminary results indicate, that the complexity of the model does not markedly improve the prediction of CIELAB values.

Keywords:
digital camera, calibration, characterisation, polynomial models, colour prediction

Abstract:
In the current research are described various ways to protect secure documents, labels and packages, and the different security printing techniques applied today and the way they will evolve in future. Security end products constitute a wide variety of different types of documents, packages, labels and cards. The degree to which these need protection from counterfeiters, forgers and terrorists depends upon how deleterious their illegal procurement and misuse is to human welfare and financial stability.
In order to reduce forgery and counterfeiting, the printing industry uses a big range of variable security methods and via different combinations, a high security document is achieved. Security printing devices are often categorized as overt, covert and machine-readable.
Another advantage that the security printer has today is the ability to produce security documents on nontraditional, nonporous substrates such as plastic and polymer - biaxially oriented polypropylene. Due to this complexity in its chemical structure documents and banknotes have a greater abrasion resistance and lower rate of tampering. Our research will aim not only to configure well known methods of security printing arts, but as well get a deeper view of what is coming up next and how for example could the RFID marks become an affordable and reliable security features of our future production.

Keywords:
security printing, substrates, inks, printing technologies, RFID

Abstract:
Printed materials that exhibit goniochromism pose a challenge not only for colour measurement but also for estimating colour differences. A common procedure for determining perceived colour difference implies assessing colour pairs by means of a standard grey scale. This method was proven to be adequate for estimating, among others, perceived differences of low chroma goniochromatic samples found in the automotive industry, as well as for assessing colour differences of conventional prints. In this work, we were interested in the applicability of the same approach for estimating colour differences of printed samples enhanced with pearlescent pigments. Such prints are regarded as goniochromatic and depending on the type of the pigment, can exhibit very high chroma in angles close to specular reflection. This may pose a problem in evaluating colour differences because grey scale only shows a change in lightness. In addition, in some illumination/viewing geometries the differences between the two samples can be higher than those presented in the grey scale. Nine colour pairs (low-chroma digitally printed samples enhanced with three types of pearlescent pigments) were assessed in six viewing/illumination angles by a panel of ten observers. Our results show that chroma of the samples did not influence significantly inter- and intra-observer agreement, implying that grey scale references can be used for determining the perceived differences between chromatic samples. SDC grey scale provided sufficient range of colour differences only for the limited set of printed samples, leading to the conclusion that for assessing the differences of printed samples enhanced with pearlescent pigments it is necessary to use reference scale with higher difference range.

Keywords:
grey scale, colour difference, goniochromism, pearlescent pigments

Abstract:
Municipal solid waste, containing mostly organic fraction, paper and board, wood and textiles, continues to be a major environmental problem. In addition, paper and cardboard are the most important sources of packaging materials. Packaging waste comprising about one-third of all municipal solid waste, mainly plastic and paper based. Anaerobic degradation is one of the most environmentally friendly methods for solid organic waste treatment and widely applied for bio-energy production. In this study, the biodegradation potential of three different cardboard materials (Umca Color - UC, Propack - PP, Lux Pack - LP) and UV curable screen printing thermochromic ink applied on them (UV), were studied using the soil burial test under anaerobic conditions. Unprinted and printed cardboard samples were evaluated for changes over 4 months by FT-IR spectroscopy. FTIR spectra revealed the existence of CaCO3 and kaolin in cardboard coating. No significant changes occurred in the FTIR spectra of unprinted cardboard samples during biodegradation. In addition, FTIR spectra showed the presence of polyurethane acrylate in the UV thermochromic printing ink since all typical vibrational bands of polyurethane acrylate (3385 cm−1 (NH stretching), 2955–2855 cm−1 (symmetric and asymmetric CH2 stretching), 1726 cm−1 (C=O stretching), 1365 cm−1 (C–N stretching ) and 1111 cm−1 (C–O–C stretching ), 810, 987 and 1408 cm−1 (CH2=CH–), 1636 cm−1, (C=C stretching), 1064, 1195 and 1296 cm−1 (C–O stretching)) were obtained. After biodegradation of all three prints a decrease of band intensities located in the 2955–2855 cm−1 range (symmetric and asymmetric CH2 stretching), carbonyl peak around 1726 cm−1, ester linkages at 1260 – 1200 cm-1 and 1100-1000 cm–1 range (C-O stretching vibration) were observed. The changes in those bands may indicate the breaking down of the ester linkages, which lead to changes in polymeric structure of polymerized thermochromic ink. The highest changes in the whole spectral range were observed for the printed PP and LP cardboard, mainly in the 2955–2855 cm−1 spectral range and carbonyl peak around 1720 cm−1. In addition, the changes to the dynamic colour properties of the samples were described. The highest changes in colour after biodegradation were observed for PP-UV sample, followed by UC-UV sample. This can be explained by the best absorption of ink into the cardboard structure. The studied spectroscopic methods individually are not effective methods for the evaluation of thermochromic prints changes during degradation studies, but in a combination, they can give a brief insight into the state of material.

Keywords:
biodegradation, cardboard, thermochromic ink, ATR – FTIR spectroscopy, colorimetric properties

Abstract:
Cereal straw and bagasse are presently the leading non-wood plants used in production of paper, though many fast-growing perennial plants have been studied for their suitability for paper manufacturing, too. In the present study the use of Japanese knotweed, as one of the most invasive alien plant species in Slovenia, as alternative raw material for papermaking is demonstreted. Paper was made of 55% Japanese knotweed and sulfate cellulose produced from 60% eucalyptus and 40% conifer fiber. The paper with the basic weight of 90 g/m2 was manufactured on the pilot paper machine at the Pulp and Paper Institute. Among printability characteristics paper brightness, colour, yellowness, roughness, air permeability, specular gloss, print penetration, picking, and print unevenness were determined. The preliminary research has shown, that Japanese knotweed, as a cheap local raw material, could be used in paper making industry, though the fiber processing and paper making process must be improved in order to obtain good printability.

Keywords:
graphic paper, Japanese knotweed, printability characteristics

Abstract:
Dyes and pigments are important colorants used in dyeing of paper, cardboard, fabric, food, plastic, wood materials. The dyes and pigments used for this are very diverse and have a wide range.
With the increasing in demand for dyed paper day by day, the development of new technologies has become necessary. Since the natural colour of the paper is not much of a concern, the papers have been started to be dyed in different shapes to obtain products with shades ranging from bright pastel to dark and saturated tones. Tone and density can be adjusted according to need and requests. Colouring in paper is usually coloured by adding pigments or dyes to the pulp during pre-production preparation. Almost 95% of dyed papers are prepared in this way. For this purpose, direct acidic and basic dyes are used.
The effectiveness used pigment or dye varies depending on the raw material and the environmental conditions. The purpose of this study, beating and pH is to improve the effect on cellulosic dyeing and paper properties. For this, two different types of pulp were selected as bleached softwood kraft pulp (BSWP) and bleached hardwood kraft pulp (BHWP). The dyeing process was carried out using four different colours in the beaten and the unbeaten pulp (60minute with Valley’s beater). They produced sheets from the dyed pulp. It was made colour measurements on the produced sheets and compared obtained values. The results will help to give an idea of the effectiveness of coloured inks used during printing on coloured paper.

Keywords:
Dye, Pigments, Beating, Kraft Pulp

Abstract:
One of the most common and cost-effective book binding method is adhesive binding method suitable for medium volume books (50-250 pages). Depending on run volume and printing technology, different adhesive binding techniques can be used. In this research, for short run book production, double-fan binding was used, because it can achieve up to 20% higher binding strength compared to perfect binding technique. In addition, for adhesive binding book production, polyvinyl acetate dispersions (PVAc), hot-melts (HM) and polyurethane adhesives (PUR) can be used. Today, water-based PVAc adhesives are more environmentally acceptable and numerous studies dealing with modification of PVAc adhesives have been carried out, in order to achieve the comparable or higher quality of adhesive joints for selected application. The aim of this research is to improve the binding performance of PVAc adhesive by adding 1% of nanoparticles, specifically hydrophobic fumed silica (SiO2) or hydrophilic fumed titanium dioxide (TiO2) powder. ISO specifies a test method (ISO 19594) for the quality assessment of adhesive binding by pulling out a single sheet from a book block, page-pull test. Pulled sheets have to be evaluated visually and in a consistent manner, since during the procedure the sheet can be pulled out completely without significant damage, raptured roughly parallel to the binding edge, raptured not parallel to the binding edge or show significant adhesive penetration. In this research, the binding strength of 8 specimens, at 4 different test positions (10%, 25%, 50% and 90% of the total number of pages), for 5 different groups of book blocks and 3 different types of PVAc adhesive (neat PVAc, PVAc + 1% SiO2, PVAc + 1% TiO2) was evaluated. All the measurements were performed under the same conditions (volume, trimmed size, binding technique and conditions, drying and pressing time). For the evaluation of quality assessment of bookbinding strength, different paper types were used for each group - woodfree uncoated, woodfree coated, containing wood – bulky, woodfree office and office paper containing recycled fibres. According to ISO 19594 standard, quality levels for the binding strength of adhesive bound products are not enough. It is also necessary to calculate the coefficient of variation in order to evaluate the consistency of binding quality. According to obtained results, visual evaluation of test sheets and book blocks opening behaviour, the best quality was achieved for book blocks with PVAc + 1% SiO2 adhesive. Compared to a neat PVAc, the binding strength for all groups of book blocks was 10 - 26% higher while coefficient of variation was 43 – 71% lower. Results for PVAc + 1% TiO2 adhesive did not show any significant improvement or deterioration of the binding strength while coefficient of variation was notably lower, 4% - 58%, compared to neat PVAc.

Keywords:
binding strength, page-pull test, polyvinyl acetate adhesive, nano-modified adhesive

Abstract:
This research observes alteration in optical properties of two commercially available hemp office papers exposed to various methods of accelerated ageing. Both handmade office papers, natural colored and non-chlorine bleached were formed from 100% hemp plant fiber. In order to establish their optical stability under controlled conditions two different accelerating ageing treatments were carried out for the period of 24 hours as a simulation of different degradation processes that naturally occurs in cellulosic materials: thermal oxidation (TO) and photo-oxidation (PO). Before and after ageing treatments the changes in the optical properties of papers were monitored by X-rite DTP 20 spectrophotometer and obtained differences in Reflectance index (R), Euclidean difference (ΔE00*) and Yellowness Index (YI E313) have been discussed. The results have shown how the paper optical stability is dependent upon manufacturing process. Namely, it was found that bleached hemp pulp provide better optical stability of papers than unbleached hemp pulp.

Keywords:
accelerated ageing, hemp fiber, office papers, optical properties

Abstract:
Paper and cardboard are the raw materials frequently used in the printing industry. Pulp structure in papermaking process, surface roughness, and strength of electricity, moisture, thickness, thermal conductivity and optical properties are important parameter that influences printing quality. The surface structure of paper and cardboard needs to be improved for the quality prints. Among the methods of reducing paper surface roughness, sizing, coating and calendering processes can be counted. In the surface coating process, fillers are added to the formulations differently from sizing. While these fillers increase absorption, they also affect colour, opacity, gloss, surface roughness, contact angle etc. Materials containing zirconium oxide; due to the increase of strength, unaffected by chemical agents, high opacity and whiteness, it finds different usage area. In this study sizing and surface coating processes have been carried out in order to improve the surface properties of the paper, to improve the gloss, yellowness, whiteness, absorbency and contact angle of the paper. For this purpose, cationic starch and zirconium oxide coating formulations were prepared and applied onto paper with a paper coating tester under laboratory conditions. In addition, surface sizing with cationic starch has been done as a reference. Coated, sized and standard office type base papers were printed with IGT C1 offset printing test with magenta ink. The colour and gloss values of all printed and unprinted samples were measured. Printed samples, coated papers, surface sized papers and base papers were subjected to lightfastness test according to BS4321 and colour and gloss changes were examined with blue wool scale. The contact angle, absorbency and surface energies of all the obtained surfaces were determined. As a result, it has been found that zirconium oxide-added paper coatings have less glossy but lower contact angle and higher absorbency than surface sizing. It has been determined that the coated paper have worst yellowness and gloss changes with light aging. As a result, the addition of zirconium oxide to the coating improves printability.

Keywords:
zirconium oxide, surface coating, surface energy, contact angle, sizing

Abstract:
Using a suitable paper quality of packaging structures is an element process in the packaging industry, mainly on producing corrugated paperboards. (Robertson, 2012) The base-papers are the most significant constituent of Corrugated Cardboards, contain mainly organic substances (e.g. cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin etc.) which are appropriate for thermo-analytical studies. The quality of the base-papers mainly defined by the primer cellulose, recycled paper and other incrust materials content. At the same time, it is difficult for users to precisely separate base papers that exhibit differences in mechanical and quality properties, as their ulterior identification is virtually impossible. (Holmberg et al, 1995) The testing methods such as CCT, RCT, FCT, COBB, bursting etc. are supported by statistical technique, but do not provide perfectly accurate results. (Caulfield et al, 1988) The reason is the deviation of testing results. In this paper, we publish the primary results of the thermoanalytical research for determination of different paper types. Applying a Differental Scanning Calorimetries (DSC) method, it is possible to study endotherm and exotherm spectrums of paper’s raw materials. During a heating process each component react in different ways, both of their physical and chemical characteristic. Due to their various organic substances content, these values are different referring for similar results of the finished products, which determines their mechanical and quality properties during their use (Soares et al, 1995). The results show that this method on the one hand can be helpful to testing the paper during packaging producing process on the other hand after using as a packaging. Using a DSC apparatus helps showing the differences between the various organic substances, which allow to measure obvious and exact results for each base-paper. This test method can help classify base paper types in a simple and transparent manner and be of use in tracing quality problems of papers.

Keywords:
corrugated cardboard, base-paper, cellulose, thermo-analytical technique, heatflow, DSC

Abstract:
Functional printing is becoming a new standard in the printing industry and new materials are being developed for use with conventional printing methods. The purpose of our research was to successfully print and measure the change in capacitance of a multi-layered interdigitated capacitor, when exposed to water vapour in air. Commercially available printing inks were applied, including one silver-based conductive ink and one dielectric ink. Conductive structures with resolution of up to 300 microns were printed with a screen density of 120 lines/cm. Two-layered elements of dielectric printing ink and an additional layer of conductive ink were successfully applied onto a printing substrate coated with a conductive indium tin oxide layer. Capacitance of a parallel-plate and interdigitated capacitor was determined by implementing variation in the position of electrodes for measurements. The results confirm that the change of UV energy applied for curing of the dielectric ink has no significant influence on the capacitance of printed sensors, as opposed by the factor of capacitor function and surface area. Capacitance was greater when measured as a parallel-plate capacitor with dielectric layer between two electrodes and a larger surface area than interdigitated in-plane capacitor printed on the same sample. Dissipation factor diminishes with higher UV energy applied for curing of the dielectric ink. Sensor response to changes in relative humidity is even and can be reproduced. Change of capacitance of sensor is higher with increase in relative humidity, thus the prepared sensors are properly responsive.

Keywords:
screen printing, chemical sensor, functional printing, UV energy

Abstract:
Varnishing of the printed product is often carried out by means of a photopolymer flexographic printing plate. Various types of varnishes interacting with a photopolymer material can cause chemical changes in its surface layer and affect the acceptance and transfer of varnish to the print. The aim of this paper is to describe the interactions of different types of varnishes and standard styrene-isoprene-styrene flexographic printing plate and to analyse the influence of varnishes on the surface layer of the photopolymer material. Types of varnishes used in this research are matt and gloss water-dispersive varnish, oil-based and UV varnish. Their interactions with the printing plate were analysed using different methods: contact angles of the varnishes on the printing plate were measured, and surface free energy of the printing plate was calculated before and after application of the varnishes. Experiments of the swelling of printing plate were carried out in order to assess the effect of the varnishes on the chemical changes in the photopolymer material. Microscopic images of the photopolymer exposed to varnishes and FTIR-ATR spectra were obtained in order to capture visible changes on the printing plate’s surface. The results of the research will allow for an assessment of the suitability of a specific type of varnish for flexographic printing.

Keywords:
photopolymer, varnish, swelling, contact angle, surface free energy

Abstract:
The paper investigates the potential use of nano-zero valent iron (nZVI) particles as a cheap, natural and effective catalyst in Fenton-like process for the removal of water-based Cyan dye from synthetic aqueous solution and printing effluent. The production of nZVI nanoparticles is based on the environmentally friendly method, so-called green synthesis, using the extract from natural product, oak leaves. Characterization of oak-nZVI by SEM, EDS and TEM revealed the surface and spatial structural characteristics, as well as the morphology of the synthesized nanomaterial. The experiments were carried out in a batch mode technique, investigating the influence of dye concentration (20-180 mgL-1), nanoparticles dosage (0.75-60 mgL-1), H2O2 concentration (1-11 mM) and pH value of the solution (2-10) on the decolorization efficiency. A new generation of experimental designs, the definitive screening design (DSD), was used to optimize the process conditions, considering the individual and interaction effects of the factors that influenced the percentage of dye degradation. The optimum degradation efficiency of Cyan dye in synthetic solution was 87.24%, within the operational parameters: initial dye concentration of 20 mgL-1, nZVI dosage of 25.69 mgL-1, H2O2 concertation of 6.88 mM and pH value of 2. Under the optimum conditions real printing effluent was treated, and decolorization efficiency of 70.85% was achieved. The obtained experimental results show that the Fenton process is effective for the degradation of printing dye, implying to the fact that future work should be explored with additional Fenton process catalyst and for other printing dyes.

Keywords:
definitive screening design, nano zero valent iron, Fenton process, optimization, dye removal

Abstract:
The most important component of coloured wastewaters is the synthetic dyes, which cause negative effects on aquatic ecosystems due to great solubility and persistence. Previous research points out that the heterogeneous Fenton process can be applied as an effective treatment of this type of wastewater. In this paper, the possibility of using waste red mud (RM), as a catalyst for the Fenton reaction, has been investigated. Sample of wastewater was obtained from the local textile industry, as follows: effluent before and after biological treatment. The optimization process was carried out using the response surface methodology, where the pH value, the concentration of H2O2 and the catalyst dose was varied. The following optimal reaction conditions were obtained for raw effluent: pH=3.26; [H2O2]=10 mM; [RM]=0.09 g, while for effluent after biological treatment: pH=3; [H2O2]=4.28 mM; [RM]=0.1 g. Under the given conditions, the efficiency of the Fenton process was 61.83 and 79.65%, respectively.

Keywords:
fenton, red mud, RSM, CCD, effluent

Abstract:
Microcapsules are used in various fields of application, such as in pharmacy, medicine, agriculture, chemical industry, construction industry, food industry, biotechnology, electronics. Fragranced and PCM (phase change materials) microcapsules also found their use in the printing and the textile industries, where they are applied in the combination with the appropriate ink or varnish on the desired substrate material. Microcapsules are applied either by coating or by different printing techniques, which main advantage is the ability to transfer the microcapsules onto desired areas of the substrate material without or with as little damage as possible, thus allowing the deposited microcapsules to fulfil their basic functionality. The aim of this research was to investigate the morphologic characteristics of the fragranced microcapsules and the coated prints using selected varnish and different fragranced microcapsules concentrations, as well as to determine how variable concentrations of the applied microcapsules in the varnish affect the optical characteristics of the coated prints. Performed SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and spectrodensitometric analyses of the coated prints revealed that both the coating process without microcapsules, as well as the different fragranced microcapsules’ concentration in the coated water-based varnish, significantly affected both the morphologic and the optical characteristics of the coated prints.

Keywords:
fragranced microcapsules, coating, offset printing, morphology, optical characteristics

Abstract:
Block polymers are used frequently in medicine, nanotechnology, paint, cosmetic and many other fields. Generally, one of the blocks produced is hydrophilic and the other hydrophobic. With amphiphilic polymers, molecules in the lipophilic structure can be encapsulated. Encapsulation is being used industrially for the reason that it is easier to transport a substance chemically without deterioration and is less affected by environmental effects. Amphiphilic block copolymers composed of hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomer units are used in micellization. Copolymers can form different morphological structures, which can be repeated under controlled conditions, depending on the composition of the block copolymer in the aqueous medium, the concentration of the copolymer in the medium, the interactions between the hydrophilic chains forming the shell, the addition of the acid, base or salt, the organic solvent used, the polarity of the solvent used and the relative solubilities of the blocks in the solvent. In these systems, while the core acts as a repository that allows the active substances to be dissolved, the shell part provides the hydrophilic property to the whole system. With amphiphilic polymers, molecules in the lipophilic structure can be encapsulated. In the first part of this work, stearic acid substituted polyvinyl alcohol-hydrophilic lipophilic polymer was synthesized with acidic esterification reaction and the chemical structure of the polymer enlightened with ATR-FTIR. 1H-NMR method was used to determine the composition ratio of the polymer. In the second part of the study, lavender oil was added to the obtained polymer system and encapsulation was carried out after the interaction of the lavender oil and lipophilic end of polymer. The obtained capsule size analysis was performed by SEM. At the end of the work, paper coating formulations were prepared with microcapsules containing lavender oil and coated on standard office paper. The color and gloss properties of the coatings are measured. The results showed that the stearic acid substitute PVA polymer could be used in lavender oil encapsulation and made a suitable encapsulation for paper coatings.

Keywords:
block polymer, encapsulation, lavender oil, stearic acid, PVA

Abstract:
Perfect binding has become one of the most popular binding methods for low- and mid-range graphic products, but with the appearance of new adhesives and application techniques, it is more and more important for the production of high quality, short-run products too. The influencing factors of perfect binding quality are numerous, involving different parameters and aspects of graphic production. Along the paper`s properties, book block parameters and spine preparation technique, the used adhesive and its application could have a direct influence on the paper/adhesive interaction and therefore on the adhesive bond quality, i.e. binding strength, too. In this study, a statistical analysis of overall adhesive layer thickness and its distribution along the book block spine has been performed. This analysis was aiming to investigate the influence of the book block volume and two gluing system set-up parameters, the nominal adhesive thickness and gluing length modification, on the adhesive application consistency. The statistical analysis showed that the book block volume had a significant influence on the obtained results of overall adhesive layer thickness (based on the p-value of 0.05) and the adhesive layer became more evenly applied to the block spine by increasing the book block volume. The influence of the nominal adhesive thickness and the glue length modification were also statistically significant (at level p<0.05) on the obtained overall adhesive thickness, however, the corresponding post hoc tests showed that not all the observed groups differed significantly from each other. In addition, the obtained results for adhesive distribution along the book block spine showed more uniform application for the higher values of nominal adhesive thickness and glue length modification.

Keywords:
perfect binding, adhesive layer, book block spine

Abstract:
The human body transforms the chemical energy of the food into the work and the heat through the process of metabolism. The produced heat through the skin is transferred to the environment. In this case, in the state of thermal equilibrium, the amount of heat produced is equal to the amount of heat lost by conduction, convection, radiation, evaporation and breathing. The process of conduction of heat is transferred from the body to the environment, through layers of clothing and air, with the person standing still. Conductivity of heat in clothes depends on the thermal conductivity of the fibers from which the clothes are made, the conductivity of the air trapped in the pores of the clothes and the air on the surface of the clothing, the surface of the clothing layer through which the heat and the thickness of the clothes pass. The amount of heat transferred by conduction is usually negligible because the clothing, by its characteristics, slows down heat transfer in this way. Additionally, ink layers made in printing process significantly affect the properties of textile materials and clothes made from these materials. And today textile materials are increasingly being subjected to the process of printing due to aesthetic requirements of the people. This paper investigates the influence of digital printing parameters on the thermo-physiological features of textile materials. The essential print parameter was a different number of passes. In this research were used textile fabric materials of 100% cotton fibers. With printing process parameters, such as number of passes in the print, it is possible to influence the amount of ink that is applied on and in printed material, and thus the achievement of desired values of thermal parameters of printed materials. The influence of print parameters to thermo-physiological properties of the material is evaluated through a thermal conductivity and heat retention ability. Results of the research demonstrated that, in addition to material composition, the printing process with its parameters have a significant influence on the thermo-physiological characteristics of textile materials. The values of the thermal conductivity of the printed samples show that the increase in the number of application of ink in the printing results in a rise in the value of thermal conductivity coefficient, and decrease in heat retention ability value.

Keywords:
digital printing, textile materials, fabrics, thermal conductivity, heat retention ability

Abstract:
This work concerns the inhibition of early polymerization of cationically polymerizable systems. Tested formulations contain 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl-3,4-epoxycyclohexane carboxylate as a reactive monomer, triethanolamine as a stabilizer, and a photoinitiator. Three types of initiators were used: sulphonium salt (tris{4-[(4-acetylphenyl)sulfanyl]phenyl}sulfonium hexafluorophosphate), iodonium salt (iodonium (4-methyl-phenyl) [4-(2-ethylpropyl) phenyl] hexafluoro-phosphate)) and iron-arene salt (η5-2,4-cyclopentadien-1-yl) [(1,2,3,4,5,6-η)-(1-methylethyl)benzene]-iron hexafluorophosphate). Prepared formulations were periodically exposed at an increased temperature (60 °C). The long-term stability was tested by viscosity measurement. Viscosity change reflects changes in the distribution of molecular weights in the system or structural changes caused by premature polymerization. The flow behaviour was measured using rheometer Haake RotoVisco 1. The reactivity of the mixtures was tested by FTIR spectroscopy using Nicolet Avatar 320.

Keywords:
cationic polymerization; inhibition; premature polymerization

Abstract:
Due ecological reasons there is a considerable interest in biodegradable films made from renewable and natural polymers, such as starch. Starch films are not meant to totally replace conventional packaging polymer films, but they might be a competition in several application, where traditional packaging cannot function. Moreover, starch as a raw material exhibit many benefits, such as relatively low price, abundant, biodegradable, and edible. Films prepared from starches are isotropic, odourless, tasteless, colourless, non-toxic and biodegradable. Finally, they are nutritious and safe, so they are used in the marketing of food. Unfortunately, the starch films present poor tensile properties and sensitivity to moisture content.
In order to modify starch films properties the addition of various plasticizers is used. Commonly as a plasticizer water and glycerine is used. In this work, we use glycerol derivatives as a modern plasticizers for starch films obtained from potato starch by the tape casting technique, which allows to obtained films with constant thickness and 20 cm length. The influence of the ratio of various plasticizers: glycerol, pentaerythiolethoxylate, glycerol ethoxylate and Poligliceryn-3 on the mechanical properties and surface free energy was investigated. The plasticizers selected by us are characterized by a large number of functional hydroxyl groups. The starch films with the mixture of plasticisers reveal better usable properties and higher mechanical properties than with only one plasticizer. However, glycerol derivatives they cannot be used without the addition of glycerol. Furthermore, surface free energy was determinate by Owens-Wendt and van Oss-Chaudhury-Good method. The values of SFE are in the range 50–60 mJ/m2 and higher than values of typical plastic films, which are used in packaging industry. Obtained starch films are characterized by quite high polar component of SFE, with may be related with the influence of hydroxyl groups.
Our results support the use of glycerol derivatives as modern plasticizers for biodegradable films and may open up new possibilities for applications of these compounds.

Keywords:
biodegradable films, starch, surface free energy, glycerol

Abstract:
Embossing technique is an essential operation in the print finishing process. It entails permanently changing the shape of the paper surface by applying pressure with the embossing die, so as to create a recessed or raised image. Embossing dies are made using conventional techniques such as chemical etching or milling. These techniques in the production of conventional embossing die imply the use of different machines and devices, plenty workspace, and often insufficient flexibility in quick job changes. By replacing conventional with additive manufacturing techniques, these problems imposed by the market can be overcome to a great extent.
Using additive manufacturing techniques in embossing dies production process requires prior understanding of factors influencing mechanical and physical properties of produced samples. Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) technique is commonly used in additive manufacturing due to its simplicity and availability. The surface roughness of FDM produced embossing dies is an important factor which can alter the quality of the embossed paper material. Excellent mechanical properties of the die are also required due to pressure forces applied in the embossing process.
This paper aims to investigate the influencing process factors in FDM additive manufacturing found in current scientific researches and implement these findings for embossing dies production. Influence of these factors on surface roughness, tensile and compression strength, the quantity of used material and production time were investigated.
Findings imply that vast variety of process factors influence chosen dependent variables of samples printed with FDM technique. Many researchers have investigated these factors, but mainly in the field of industrial engineering, electronics and bioengineering. Hence, the importance of this paper is in finding a way to implement these findings in the field of graphic engineering and design.

Keywords:
Fused Deposition Modelling, embossing dies, FDM process factors, mechanical and physical properties

Abstract:
Rectangles are the most common packaging shapes. Their stability under compression can vary according to different types of paperboard as well as panels ratios. Rectangular shapes have advantages in transportation and production but are not the only shapes that paperboard packaging has to offer. This paper investigates seven packaging shapes with different cross-sections while keeping the same height and amount of material used. The tested shapes were made with two types of paperboard (with recycled fibre and virgin pulp) and different grammage. The testing was conducted using a modified Crush Test (Lorentzen & Wettre Crush Tester). The results showed that cylinder shape has the most compression resistance while triangular prism and rectangular prism (1:4 panel ratio) the least. Testing rectangles with different panel ratios together with the results of other shapes led to the conclusion that compression resistance mainly depends on the size of the panel. If a shape has larger (less number of) panels it has less resistance to vertical pressure (stackability).

Keywords:
paperboard packaging, packaging shapes, compression resistance, stackability

Abstract:
A lot of research today implies that packaging attributes have an essential role in attracting consumer attention, creating expectations and influencing product choice. Many studies have documented that people match a variety of tastes, aromas, and flavours to other sensory features, such as shapes and colours. This study investigates the influence of the type of a beverage on its packaging shape. The study is designed to discover what packaging materials, the shape of packaging body and the type of packaging opening consumers prefer for each beverage: milk (chocolate milk, milkshake), soda, juice, yoghurt, fruit yoghurt, water and ice coffee. The investigation was conducted through a survey where participants were asked to choose a packaging shape from a variety of presented shapes. The stimuli that were used were grayscale photographs of packaging without any graphic design applied. These packaging differed not only in shape but also in materials from which they were made and the type of opening system. The result implies that participants that consumed a certain type of drink on regular basis were more open for new different atypical packaging shapes. On the other hand, for products that they consumed less, they preferred a packaging that was most commonly presented and placed on the market where they live. Also, these results support the view of many researchers that delicate and subtle flavours were best presented in packaging with rounded and curvy shapes, while sour and intense flavours are best presented with angular shapes. Characteristic that turned out to be very important was the shape of the packaging body but in terms of ergonomics and ease of use. It was found that there is a positive correlation between aesthetic features and ergonomic features of the packaging. These findings are relevant to those researchers interested in taste-vision correspondences, it should contribute to product communication, and it can be used as a base for future research focused on packaging shape and ergonomics.

Keywords:
beverage, drink, packaging, shape, ergonomics

Abstract:
Disposable screen printed electrodes are widely used for environmental monitoring such as water quality test, heavy metals detection and gas pollutants. (Hayat et al, 2014; Li et al, 2012) Screen printed electrodes used for electrochemical detection consist of three electrodes: auxiliary, working and reference electrode. The working electrode is the principal electrode on which electrochemical reactions are performed, while the reference and auxiliary electrodes are used to complete the electronic circuit. (Hayat et al, 2014) To produce efficient screen printed electrodes the modification of the electrode surface or altering of the geometry of electrode can be done. Researchers mostly modify the surface of the electrode, but on the other hand, there are many properties that can be changed and optimized at the beginning, in the process of screen printing.
In the presented research the influence of the modification of the working electrode area and conductive ink thickness on the final electrochemical activity was evaluated. Besides that, a modification of conductive printing ink was done using carbon nanotubes. Finally, electrochemical activity of all samples was analyzed with potassium ferricyanide K3[Fe(CN)6]. It was found that the highest impact on electrochemical activity has conductive ink thickness. Working electrode area also affects the electrochemical activity, but less, while modification of conductive ink with the addition of carbon nanotubes does not have significant influence. The main reason for that was immersing of nanotubes into the ink and consequently, the specific surface of the modified working electrode remains comparable to non-modified one.

Keywords:
screen printed electrodes, printing properties, cyclic voltammetry

Abstract:
Product packaging protects the content from the environment, but also serves to display information relevant to consumers. Some product information, like warning messages, should be both noticeable and memorable. The purpose of the study was to explore how people pay attention to visual elements on packaging and how well they recall them. The investigation was especially directed towards a particular visual element – a safety pictogram. The study consisted of two parts: an eye tracking experiment which measured the participants’ visual attention while viewing the packaging, and a follow-up memory test which assessed the ability of the participants to recall elements from the packaging. The packaging was designed especially for the purpose of the experiment. It was presented on-screen and viewed by 130 participants. The visual elements displayed on the packaging were: an illustration, a product name, a logo, a pictogram and the quantity information. Eye-tracking measures used were time to first fixation on each of the visual elements on the packaging and total fixation duration on an element. A list test was used for assessing the recall of visual information in the absence of the packaging. The illustration was the visual element recalled by most of the participants (reported by 80% of the participants), followed by the product name (reported by 59% of the participants). Only 18% of the participants mentioned that they saw the pictogram. The analysis of the eye movements and the visual attention showed that the most easily noticed visual element was the product name, while the illustration had the longest viewing period. Furthermore, the participants who detected the pictogram faster and viewed it longer also recalled it better. However, the association between visual attention and memory was not revealed for all visual elements on the packaging. The findings could be relevant for designers and those interested in the communication aspect of packaging.

Keywords:
packaging, eye-tracking, recall, pictogram

Abstract:
The aim of this research was to investigate the application of the user-centred design process to the design and development of a product and it’s packaging suitable for people with visual impairments. The product and packaging had to be accessible to stakeholders on both sides - not only to visually impaired end users but also to the workers with visual impairments in the production process. The accessibility features had to function in conjunction with other presentation and functional requirements of the product and packaging. In order to adapt the design for people with visual impairments, research of optimal design process was conducted using combination of contextual design with other user-centred methods. Rapid prototyping was used to create full-scale physical packaging models and product moulding tools for evaluation. Additional subjective evaluation using semantic differential was carried on users without visual impairments to establish the perception of pragmatic and hedonic quality of the packaging.

Keywords:
packaging, product design, visual impairment, Braille, user-centred Design, contextual design

Abstract:
Producers of bio-based materials are keen on replacing oil-based packaging materials with green, sustainable materials which also have improved mechanical, antimicrobial, barrier properties. One of the most nontoxic and widely used polymers are polysaccharides, chitosan being one of them.
This research shows the preparation, characterisation of the chitosan and rice starch films. The aim of the research was to improve the mechanical, moisture and optical properties of chitosan, rice starch and composite chitosan-rice starch film using ultrasonic treatment. Our research was focused on the effect of ultrasonic treatment on the solutions for the preparation of the mentioned films.
The results showed that an ultrasonic treatment improved elasticity, moisture resistance and that films were more transparent. Elongation at break and tensile strength increased, especially at blend films. Moreover, moisture content showed a decrease proportional to an increase in thickness with decreasing film solubility at all treated samples. The surface at untreated blend film was more uneven compared to chitosan and rice starch films, which improved after the treatment. However, preparing film solutions with ultrasound is an improved procedure to increase many properties of biodegradable films and in this form could be used as packaging materials.

Keywords:
materials, food, blend films, biodegradability, sustainability

Abstract:
A world without plastics, or synthetic polymer materials, seems unimaginable today. During the last decade, the share of synthetic polymer consumption used in packaging industry increased to 42%, in relation to the total consumption of polymers. Wide use of polymer materials leads to generation of large amount of waste. Environmental pollution, as well as alarming reduction of fossil fuels have led to the implementation of the strategies for pollution control, pollution prevent, energy and resources saving. Growing awareness of global pollution consequences has rised these concerns on the level of the Green Chemistry concept. Green Chemistry is a multidisciplinary field where chemistry science and industry meets each other in order to design products and strategies for elimination of harmful substances. It is well known that the most important primary sources of feedstock for polymer materials production are fossil fuels. Increasing demand for polymers, has imposed the need for fossil fuels replacement by renewable resources for its synthesis. In this paper we have shown the implementation of the Green Chemistry principles in the synthesis of packaging material based on polylactide (PLA). Polylactide is one of the most promising polymers because of its biocompatibility, biodegradability and the fact that it can be produced from the biobased feedstocks. In accordance with modern ecological requirements, packaging material should be degradable or biodegradable and also economic. The use of PLA has a growing trend, therefore, today it takes an important place in packaging industry, especially because the properties of PLA films are comparable to standard petroleum based flexible packaging materials. The main purpose of this study was to synthese packaging material based on polylactide by microwave synthesis as a method which implement some of the Green Chemistry principles. Microwave synthesis of PLA meets requirements of biobased polymers from the aspect of energy and time saving production of this biodegradable material. The microwave-assisted synthesis of PLA provides homogenous heating of reaction mixture, significant reduction in polymerization time, decreased consumption of organic solvent and, in the same time, high molecular weight polymers.

Keywords:
polylactide, packaging, green chemistry, microwave synthesis

Abstract:
The main goal of this paper is to define and compare the reproduction accuracy and color quality of different digital printing systems. The chosen digital printing systems are from both commonly used types – ink jet and electrophotography. The printers used for experiment in this study are: HP Indigo 5500, Canon IPF 9400, HP Latex 370, Agfa Anapurna M2540 FB. The media used are: glossy and matt coated papers, uncoated papers, photo paper, Jet coat paper, Polypropylene, PVC, vinyl. On above mentioned digital printing systems and media have been printed several test forms with big number of test charts and different control elements. The test forms are containing the following control elements: 240 Pantone colors for assessment of color difference from the original Pantone colors, color charts for generating of ICC profiles, 3D volume and 2D color gamut for different media and printing systems, charts for measuring of color characteristics of main and secondary colors, charts for evaluation of tone value increase, etc. A big number of experimental results are obtained for the most important printing quality parameters – color difference from original Pantone colors, color gamut volume, accuracy of reproduction expressed by tone values, etc.

Keywords:
printing quality, color reproduction accuracy, digital printing

Abstract:
Over time, the printed images are ageing, and this may be due to different factors like natural ageing of paper and ink, temperature, humidity, sun light and human intervention. The main goal of this research is determination of the influence of artificial UV ageing on the colour characteristics of the printed images for mostly used papers, inks and offset printing technology. Two types of papers have been selected for the experiment in terms of their wide use and distribution on the all printing markets – uncoated offset paper and mat coated paper. Printing test evaluation form designed for this research test has been used. In real printing conditions in printing houses on two selected papers have been printed the test form with big number of control strips and elements for colour measurements. The optical properties of papers, colour characteristics of test charts for used papers, inks and printing presses were measured before and after artificial UV ageing time periods. The colour differences, changes of colour gamut volumes, 3D and 2D gamut are calculated too. Great changes in the colour characteristics of the printed images have been identified. The results show huge changes in many of critical colours from human perception point of view.

Keywords:
colour characteristics, offset printing, colour difference, ageing of materials, UV ageing, optical characteristics of papers

Abstract:
In this paper, we have investigated the applicability of electophotography, in terms of repeatability and reproduction accuracy, for color difference evaluations. When performing color difference evaluations with printed samples, the printing technique used may more or less influence the color reproduction. In order to evaluate the influence of reproduction accuracy and short term repeatability in electrophotography on color difference evaluation, we chose to examine the color reproduction of five initial color centers which were varied in their lightness. For color difference calculation we used CIE2000 color difference formula. It was shown that the expected color differences were not obtained in all cases and for all colors used whereas the variability is not only influenced by the color center but also by the level and direction of lightness variation.

Keywords:
electrophotography, color difference, CIE00

Abstract:
The research presented in the article describes the colour changes resulting from the drying of printing ink. In technical terminology, this colour change is called dryback (Schulz et al, 2005). Different print technologies use different inks (solvent-based, inks dried by oxidation, inks dried by UV radiation), but all of them are affected by dryback. This means that the ink still wet after printing has colour properties different from ink after it is dried. During the printing process it is usually possible to measure the colour properties (lightness, blue-yellow, red-green content, density) of the still wet print by the machine. A polarizing filter is installed in spectrophotometers in order to perform this measurement, which tries to measure the colour characteristics of the print, eliminating surface reflection. The research is designed to determine the point when the paint can be considered dried on the carrier (paper), to describe – using mathematical equations – the changes in the colour characteristics during the drying process, and then to design a device which is able to determine – using the mathematical model – what colour characteristics the still wet print will have after complete drying. In our article we intend to describe the first tests and the resulting conclusions.

Keywords:
printing inks, carrier drying, autotype prints, density, colour stimulus difference, colour change

Abstract:
This work is focused on curing of UV curable printing inks and varnishes and evaluation of the conversion degree after printing with various printing speeds (between 4 and 10 thousands of sheets per hour) and settings of curing units. Five sets of process offset printing inks (SunCure® FLM – Sun Chemical, Suncure® Starluxe – Sun Chemical, UltraCURA® Sens – Flint Group, NewV Pack MGA® Premium – Huber Group, Sicura Litho Nutriplast – Siegwerk) and one UV curable varnish (ExCure All Round EXC90006 – Toyo Ink) were tested. Printing inks and varnish were printed on KBA Rapida 142 6+L and curing of inks/varnish was examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results show the importance of optimization of both the printing speed and the settings of curing units to achieve appropriate curing connected with good adhesion, no surface tackiness and maximum elimination of migrating components from cured inks that is important mainly in food packaging.

Keywords:
UV ink, UV varnish, curing, polymerization, infrared spectroscopy

Abstract:
Printing on textile surfaces is possible using either direct or transfer method. The transfer method is a complex technique in which, the first, design is transferred to a flexible substrate via digital or screen printing, after which the transfer to textiles is carried out. To apply the colour to the material, heat pressure is used. Different environmental influences can affect such printed material. Some of them are rubbing, heat, UV radiation, moisture, washing, etc. In this study, an analysis of the impact that rubbing has on the print will be done. Rubbing treatment of the prints was done according to ISO 105-X12 standard. Colour changes of the printed textile materials to dry rubbing treatment were characterized by the spectrophotometric measurements. In the given analysis, two different types of cotton material were used as a printing medium. Both materials are 100% cotton, however, they differ in the weight of the fabric. The first material has a weight of 150 g/m2 and the other has 190 g/m2.

Keywords:
rubbing, transfer printing, textile, colour difference

Abstract:
The technology of screen printing is a chain of work processes which include many variants. Of all the parameters influencing the technology most occur due to the presence of screen mesh in the process. Reproduction ability doesn’t simply require adherence to the technological steps but also needs a continuous creative and flexible approach and comprehensive knowledge of the entire procedure. Before preparing the printing stencil, serious planning is required; it needs to be determined during this process what stencil is needed to realize the expected quality of the print.
The goal of the examinations is to determine and choose the parameters of screen printing forms for creating the best possible quality screen printing stencils to be used with paper and textile printing, and the improvement of the quality of the screen preparation process for direct screen printing on paper and textile substrates. From the point of view of the quality of the print, the critical issues of the technology of stencil preparation is the planned thickness of the stencil, reaching the necessary Rz values, and the lighting conditions of accurate printing element reproduction. We have made prints with printing forms chosen by the parameters examined and analysed the quality of prints.

Keywords:
screen printing form, Rz, EOM, screen printing on paper and textile

Abstract:
Printing quality is influenced by numerous parameters and by the material interactions in the ink-plate-substrate system. The aim of this paper is to characterize and quantify influential parameters in the flexographic reproduction system by using the method of the least squares (LS fitting). Specifically, this paper deals with influential properties of the printing plates and porous printing substrates (paper, board). Printing plate with its properties and interaction with the printing ink and substrate during the printing process affects the parameters of the print. Different properties of analysed porous substrates define properties of the print such as tonal values/dot gain and optical density. Measured properties of different printing substrates (papers and boards with different types of coatings) are used to build a quantification system of influencing parameters for the quality of the print using two different types of printing plates (patterned and non-patterned). Substrate parameters included in this research are roughness, surface free energy and gloss, while the surface free energy analysis was used to define printing plate properties. Results have shown that the least squares method can be applied to define the suitability of a particular type of printing plate for printing on different materials and enable optimization when selecting the material parameters in the flexographic reproduction system.

Keywords:
flexography, printing plate, printing substrate, paper, board, LS fitting

Abstract:
This research aims to characterize the quality of prints printed with inkjet printing technique, depending on the type of UV ink and printing substrate. Printing substrates were chosen as trending substrates for digital printing used for both indoor and outdoor applications and thus may be affected with a variety of different agents during production and in general use. The results led to the conclusion that on various substrates, HP HDR250 Scitex inks shown better results, as well as that fastness properties very much depend on the type of pigment in ink.

Keywords:
digital printing, inkjet, ink, substrate, colour difference

Abstract:
Working as educators for future graphic communications experts we have to have two things in mind: how to prepare students for the real market opportunities and how to make their portfolios better. Scientific pedagogical approach was taken to do so and it is based on simulating a real-world environment: working with real world companies on real life examples, organizing students into advertising agencies where everybody has its predefined role, working in steps and competing with others. First step in our process is to divide all participants into teams of five. Each member of a team can choose his or her role: leader, designer, copywriter, speaker or technician. These roles were determined by studying different types of modern creative environments. Next step is team-building. Team has to begin working together and the final results of this cooperation is team's identity (name, logo).
First real life assignment is done with a help of real advertising agency. We invite an art director to present a brief of a real order which every group will be working on for six weeks. Each week teams get live feedback from the agency. The assignment that follows in the next six weeks is done directly for the customer. This is possible because of the experience students get when working for/with advertising agency. The final step is organizing an event, a public exhibition of work that was done in the semester.
The developed process prepares our students for the job hunting. In the paper, we explain which are the most important steps and approaches a modern educator should take to prepare their students for the real life. Results are presented as an analysis of final works, employees, co-operators and other experts in the process.

Keywords:
education, graphic communication, advertising, market, team work

Abstract:
This research presents the results of the study in which the artworks are exhibited to blind and visually impaired persons and an automatic verbal tour guide with capacitive sensors is implemented. The aim of the research is the development of a prototype for audio interpretation of 3D printed artworks for enhancement of the experience of blind and visually impaired persons. The proposed solution enable the blind and visually impaired persons to touch and hear information when accessing the 3D printed object, i.e. after the approatching of the 3D object and the user’s touch there is a programmed synchronised turn on of the voice explanining the set of information about the object. For each touched form (shape) of the artwork the blind and visually impaired person has a complete insight in relation with other shapes in the vicinity, and consequently the user is able to experience the whole artwork, to comprehend what it is all about, which artistic movements or age it belongs to, the handwriting of artist, and in the context of experiencing the exhibition place, the concept of the exhibition, etc. In front of each artwork there is a plate in Braille alphabet with the name of the artist, year of its creation, used technique, and the name of the gallery. Further, in the results the technology of the sensors is presented, their composition and the implementation in 3D printed objects is explained and based on a usability testing advantages and disadvantages of the presented application of capacitive sensors are critically discussed.

Keywords:
capacitive touch sensors, 3D printed artwork, blind and visually impared, accessibility, augumentation

Abstract:
In this research the development of the framework for 3D interpretation of Plečnik’s Žižka Monument is presented. Jože Plečnik was a very known Slovenian architect, that design many personal, public and sacral buildings, mainly in Ljubljana, Wien and Prague. The design of Jan Žižka (Czech commander-in-chief) monument was never realised and was therefore a subject of the research of Plečnik’s specialists. The features of the monument can be, according to their shape, topology and level of details, basically divided in two parts, i.e. 1. architectural part that is chalice-like stage and 2. eight human and one animal (horse) models that are more organic and highly detailed. The experimental part presents a framework for the inventory of available documentation that were collected and categorised, processed and selected with the purpose of further procedures. After the examination and the analysis of the documentation, the next step of determination and extraction of graphic, artistic and stylistic information from the documents were performed and implemented in 3D models of architectural and sculptural part. The research included also preparation of the models, 3D printing, assembly and finishing. The last phases of the framework were defined as exhibition, promotion and evaluation. In the results the overall framework for the creation and construction of 3D interpretation is presented and estimated.

Keywords:
Žižka monument, architect Jože Plečnik, cultural heritage, 3D reproduction, framework determination

Abstract:
This online course-unit (lecturing at the Obuda University) assembled by the authors, is a primer that serves a dual role for today’s students of graphic communication. The course is an introduction to the process of post-press technologies and the different kind of bookbinding technologies, what is solid base for any printer professional that wants or needs to learn how does is works the end of in the printing house. The knowledge based on our revised manuscripts of well-known Hungarian printing industry professionals as Lajos Papp (Horvath et al, n.d.) and Gyorgy Toth (Prokai et al, n.d.). The curriculum contains presentations, videos, tests and tasks for home work. The course is presented during one semester. The credit point value of the course is 2. The students are following the lectures online week by week. They need to pass six tests and complete six home works assignments to monitor their progress. This course is designed for the students of Obuda University.

Keywords:
postpress, book-binding education, finishing technologies, e-learning

Abstract:
The MAST project is developing an applied study module at the intersections of Art, Science and Technology, combining methodologies and practices that intertwine the academic sphere closely with the Culture and Creative Sectors. Nurturing a critical perspective on the historical, economical, social and above all cultural relevance of this interdisciplinary blend within the new digital shift, MAST develops innovative, ICT-enhanced teaching and learning methods. Students from different countries and disciplines will, under mentorship of engineers, scientists and artists, in partnership with relevant NGOs and industry partners, jointly tackle challenges emerging from the paradox between the obviously disparate agendas of Europe's ambition towards innovation on the one side, and the need for social equity on the other. In the present contribution, besides discussing MAST's Visual Identity Design in Pedagogical Context as well as contextualizing Web-design and Production as a uniquely Transversal Academic Collaboration process, Social Media shall be presented in their potential of becoming a Collective Reflection Tool, whereas the electronic publishing potential of Open Courses on Interoperable Platforms will be delineated. These four key aspects will indicate a vision of sustaining the impact of new curricula for a fair digital future that may keep a dynamic balance between the (European, competitive) need for simultaneously sustaining innovation and social agendas. The first piloting year of MAST poses the overarching challenge about the future of work in the context of electronic media, and seeks to develop (in both students, professionals and academia) positive digital-domain worker profiles. Integrating new media and electronic publishing approaches, these workers are able to think about future independently and freely, in a bold trans-disciplinary manner, and act ethically across Creative & Cultural Sectors and high technologies.

Keywords:
electronic dissemination, social media, web-design, visual identity, open courseware, social agenda, innovation

Abstract:
The paper deals with the notion of definition as one of the rhetorical functions used by writers of scientific and technical English to provide information about a given concept or object. Specifically, definition is an explanation of a concept or objects that distinguishes this concept or object from all others. It is one of the most important and frequently employed rhetorical functions in English for Science and Technology discourse. At the instructional level it is found frequently in association with physical concepts, e.g. physical objects. When dealing with objects, definition is the process of stating what a given object is, either by describing its physical structure, its use or purpose, the way in which it functions, or a combination of two or all of them. It is an essential part of organized thinking and, thus, it is basic to scientific and technical discourse. A definition locates its subject in a class and then proceeds to point out the characteristics that make it differ from other items in that class and that, therefore, allow it to be assigned to a subclass. This process is a special variant of the process of classification. A definition simply sets its subject in a limited scheme of classification. The process of definition is a natural way the mind works. The language of definition should be as logically precise as possible. The purpose of a definition is to limit the meaning of a word which stands for an object in an acceptable way. For this purpose metaphorical language is not used in scientific and technical discourse, because the essence of metaphor is not to limit meaning but to extend meaning by developing new and complex ranges implicit in the literal base. Definitions are expressed either explicitly or implicitly in scientific and technical discourse. Explicit definition is that type of definition which makes clear through phrasing that a particular concept is being defined. Implicit definition presents information also, but it does not present it in defining terms. The paper investigates how definitions are made in lectures with a view to the development of a more appropriate pedagogy for teaching the comprehension of this important language function.

Keywords:
definition, scientific and technical discourse, rhetorical function

Abstract:
It has been almost two decade since electronic formats entered mainstream in scientific paper publishing. PDF (portable document format) has become without any doubt most used electronic publishing format. Wide adoption of this format offered easy exchange of the information presented conventionally through text and images, which was widely adopted. On the other hand it has been little over a decade since 3D artwork, java script and SWF applications are supported by PDF, but adoption of all of these advanced features is quite low. With technological advancements augmented and virtual reality are becoming useful tools also. Same as in the case of PDF there is the problem, all across the board of scientific fields, of slow adoption of new Information communication technology ICT. This paper aims to explore and present some of the new ICT features that could help improve presentation of scientific results and also to illuminate the reasons they are rarely used in publications.

Keywords:
PDF, augmented reality, multimedia, scientific publishing

Abstract:
Biometrics is a field of study and dissemination that brings a host of contributing domains in an integrated way to generate products that find multiple applications particularly in creating an individual's identity. Modeling biometric processes reveals a series of discussions in various fields, mainly in medicine and in the digital image processing field. These discussions range from the simulation levels of these models to those of application and concrete products that use biometric systems for identifying and recognizing individuals. Indeed, over many biological parameters of an individual to be identifiable, there is the face that generates a lot of information about the physical data of the individual. According to specific studies, facial components combined according to different methods can be used to design simulation models that come in aid of generating closed-source and dedicated programs of biometric recognition (Das, 2018).
This paper deals with a simulation model, through the Matlab test-bench, of the facial recognition process. The model is created at the proposal level for the subject field and gives the limits and recommendations for improvements and further developments of this simulation method. The modeling methodology includes two parts; the first part is the Matlab program that has been coded in such a way that it takes some images that represent the faces of different people published in the open-source database on the Internet; the second part is the creation of a database that retains these images to enable face identification when entering a new image program. The facial search and retrieval process are built through some built-in functions that the latest versions of Matlab offer.
Finally, the simulation model provides a new facial identification model that leaves room for further discussion and limits to the relatively small number of face images that can support the database in Matlab.

Keywords:
biometrics, test-bench, database, identification

Abstract:
Augmented Reality technology is increasingly present smart packaging feature. This paper presents the development of the smart packaging application that will provide information on the state of the product in packaging using the Augmented reality technology as a result. In order to control the product state, freshness control labels were printed with stimuli-responsive dyes in the form of specific code. These dyes are conceivable for all environmentally sensitive goods during storage and transport such as food, seeds, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, electronics etc. These dyes are very useful for controlling the product freshness because they do not require an additional power supply and they can be monitored optically via the smart device camera. Stimuli-responsive dyes can report different environmental influences such as water/moisture, temperature, light, pressure, pH, etc. in a one-bit binary state or in gradually changing optical properties. The aim of the paper is the development of the application that will provide product freshness information based on packaging design (product type) and different environmental influences.

Keywords:
augmented reality, product quality, smart packaging, smart labels, stimuli-responsive dyes

Abstract:
In this paper, we show an example of how a product description such as the specifications of the print substrate can be embedded as metadata in a PDF file using a well-documented technology for variable data printing. We demonstrate the corresponding data structures in PDF. Moreover, we are explaining how these structures can be integrated in a PDF file and retrieved afterwards with a JAVA program. In addition, this metadata is converted into XJDF, which can be passed on to a commercially available workflow management system. The basic structure of XJDF is explained as well as its generation with JAVA.

Keywords:
Metadata, PDF, PDF/VT, XJDF, PrintTalk, JDF, CSV, Web-to-Print, Workflow Management System

Abstract:
In this article we tell about development graphic design as a competence WorldSkills Russia. Article analyzes new format of knowledge testing (Demonstration exam by WorldSkills Russia) and progress of Russian graphic designers - participants of WorldSkills International Competition.

Keywords:
skills, young professionals, graphic design, education, digital

Abstract:
Traditional image compression algorithms treat all image regions equally, regardless of their content, often resulting in reconstructed images that do not correlate well with human perception. Content-aware compression, on the other hand, prioritizes image regions that are more relevant to the interpretation of an image and encodes them at a higher bitrate, i.e. without loss or with less loss, than the rest of the image. Our paper explores the multi-structure region of interest (MS-ROI) model, a convolutional neural network, which enables the localization of multiple regions of interest (ROIs) in an image. The localization is expressed as a corresponding saliency map, which identifies the relevance of individual image regions and provides a saliency value for each pixel of the given image. This information is then used to guide the compression. The saliency values are discretized into multiple levels and more important levels are encoded with a higher quality factor Q than the less important ones, allowing for most of the reduction in image resolution to occur in non-salient image regions. Because the generated saliency maps produce soft boundaries between salient and non-salient image regions, smooth transitions between these regions are achieved. The obtained image is then encoded further using the standard JPEG algorithm with a uniform Q factor, resulting in the final image of the standard JPEG format. Our model was trained on the Caltech-101 image dataset and its performance was tested on two other image datasets. Presented are the obtained saliency maps for several images, as well as the results of content-aware compression, which are compared to the standard JPEG compression at different Q factors. For an objective comparison and evaluation of the quality of the obtained images, various standard quality metrics were used, i.e. mean squared error (MSE), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index (SSIM) and multi-scale structural similarity index (MS-SSIM).

Keywords:
convolutional neural networks, image compression, JPEG, saliency maps, MS-ROI

Abstract:
Applications presenting the content of a specific professional field are more frequently used for educational purposes. Not only that the interactive solutions including multimedia can more effectively transfer knowledge due to their property to offer a content on a demand, but they are also very attractive, they augment user experience, are able to present more spatial and time dependent data and they usually involve multisensory approaches including senses of vision, hearing and touching.
In the research the work frame and a design process of the educative app solution for geological purposes is presented. The aim of the app is to interactively determine stones by means to implement geological stone key. The experimental part presents the strategy phase, in which the target groups were defined, their needs were analysed and touching points for the successful networking, sharing and promotion were introduced. Next, app's functionalities and content types were created, based on the specification of professional field of geology. The content was categorised and labelled so that in the context of the whole app’s structure required hierarchy and organisation of the content categories were introduced. User interface design began with simple layout sketches and with iterative approach that followed, more interactive prototypes were designed, developed and tested using the wireframes. In the results the final prototype and its design are presented with the evaluation of user-centred design approach that was implemented in the work frame.

Keywords:
stone key, user interface, design process, educative app, geology

Abstract:
Digital Printing has been established as one of the most rapidly evolving printing processes since its first introduction in 1982. In the years that followed, digital printing became the one significant new technology for print media production. Digital printing is continuously changing the print media landscape. Although, DP creates structural changes in production workflow and processes, it lacks in terms of print standardization, compared to offset printing for example, where consistent aim values and guidelines apply by means of ISO 12647-2. This drawback basically depends on two factors, which are interrelated. Firstly, there are many different technologies that are used in digital printing, and, each of them shows substantial difference in printing technology, substrates, data preparation, process control and image quality requirements. Secondly, compared to conventional printing, some digital printing technologies are still developing. After all, digital printing is versatile and variable in every way and cannot be standardized under a single standard.
A research on the digital printing technologies, processes and workflows is needed, to determine if a print specifications and quality controls (among them color management), can be applied in Digital Printing, and if possible, to which segment. Since color is very important to printing, especially in packaging and marketing applications, the print evolution demands for matching colors across technologies, substrates, materials and colorants. This paper intends to reveal the present status regarding Digital Printing Standardization. The question posed is whether standards can be applied and in which segments of digital printing either as technology or print sector (commercial decoration, packaging).
Within the paper, an analysis of the current industrial typical guidelines ranging from data creation all the way to printing will be made. Guidelines that are determined either by the manufactures of the digital printing machines, or by Institutes, such as FOGRA are reviewed for output process control and colour fidelity. As such, this paper can be regarded as a first attempt to preview the basis where standardization for digital printing processes can be developed.

Keywords:
digital printing, standardization, developments, technologies

Abstract:
Accessibility of museums and other cultural institutions is not equal for all visitors. Since the perception of the human surroundings bases mainly on the visual experience, people with vision disabilities, either blind or visually impaired, are deprived of this kind of experience. Desiring to provide an equivalent user experience more and more institutions show the tendency of offering different variations of adjustments.
Adjustments for blind and visually impaired are usually limited to the use of existing exhibition materials for all visitors either in the form of audio guides, guides or brochures in Braille, tags in Braille, less often tactile objects, tactile maps, floor markings, larger signs or indicators, magnifying glass, and sound elements. Though it seems that numerous adjustments are being used, the reality shows that they are still rare. Besides that, these materials and adaptations usually do not fulfil the requirements of adequate museum experience therefore, the need of improving the current state is necessary.
In this paper an overview of needs and demands, which need to be fulfilled within the graphic arts and communication technologies possibilities, either for Braille, tactile or audio demands for presenting the lack of visual experience with blind and visually impaired, is presented.

Keywords:
adaptations, audio guide, blind and visually impaired, museums, tactile recognition, user experience

Abstract:
Today's technology and innovations, which have a power in representing society's cultural values and emotions, offer new possibilities to the most important expression tools of social life. In fact, it is stated that with this power of representation, it shapes the cultures and societies as well. In this representation, art is stated to play an important role in shaping the expression of social emotions and life by being embedded in them and taking the support of technology (Schiuma, 2011). As a necessity for the age, humans now communicate through art, strengthening the individual expression in social life with advantages offered by technological production and incorporate new expression tools into their lives.
Continuing to explore the conveniences offered by technological life, humans continue their development in their social life through communication and interaction in the virtual world. Thanks to this interaction, digital communication channels have spread rapidly and the desire to access information easily has also created the technological infrastructure requirements that are able to provide, economical, high quality and personalized designs for demands changing consumer habits as requirement of this era, decreasing printing circulation due to this, and personalized designs taking center stage have accelerated the spread of digital inkjet printers with toner cartridges. Digital printing systems that have emerged since the year 2000 offer a new laboratory environment that today's artists can experience as a means of expression, beside their technological developments. Fine-Art print, with a view that acknowledges the importance of digital art in the technological life of our era, is a new expression tool worth mentioning its role and importance in contemporary art. Fine art print, as a term, defines the prints made by high-quality inkjet systems of images transmitted from digital files to the special production underprint materials under the supervision of the artist himself/herself.
In this research, fine art print technique which presents the artistic expression to the viewer with today's technology will be discussed. It is aimed to examine the values it adds to contemporary art and technological advantages as a production material that supports artistic expression and its effects on artists' material preferences.

Keywords:
fine art print, digital print, contemporary art

Abstract:
In the brewing industry there is a great competition among beer producers and the constant struggle for dominance on the market. The beer label for glass packaging is an important means of communicating with the customer and it represents a key part of the whole packaging which sells the product. This paper researches the impact of primary packaging and beer label on customer perception and purchase of products. The aim of this study was to examine customers’ perception of different elements of beer label design. Survey was conducted on a hundred adult males and females aged 18 to 65 years. The sample for conducting the survey consisted of six 0.5 bottles of different types of beer placed on the shelf. Based on the results of the research, conclusions were drawn about the influence and preference of the brand, about the elements that are crucial for the decision to purchase and the efficiency of individual graphic elements of the label.

Keywords:
beer label, design, brand, packaging

Abstract:
Designing landscapes in geometric style has a long history. Even open spaces in ancient Egypt, dating around 3000 BC, were shaped in a clear geometric form. Later throughout the history, geometric patterns evolved and the most impressive achievements in landscape architecture were reached in France during the period of baroque. Geometric patterns are also steady in Moorish and Islamic gardens and landscapes. Contemporary landscape designs rely on the heritage of previous epochs, but it is suited and adapted to the local environment and conditions. Geometric style is considered as formal or classical one and can be found in urban landscapes and parks worldwide. In this paper, we focused on an example from Serbia; we analyzed the design features of the main city park in town of Ruma, Serbia and proposed a new design concept in a geometric style. The presentation is supported by 2D and 3D graphical representations produced in SketchUp 2017 and Adobe Photoshop CS4. The special attention in the designing process was dedicated to plant material and selection of plants was determined by their visual and aromatic qualities. The new design included the constriction of water mirrors, using the reflection in water to enchase the aesthetic features of landscape elements.

Keywords:
geometric style, urban landscapes, landscape architecture, Ruma (Serbia)

Abstract:
From the very beginning of XX century the principles of Gestalt helped humans to simplify and structure their visual surrounding. Despite aesthetic evolutions, it always helped to keep the clarity and readability of visual messages. Alas, development of global digital communications simulated the appearance of many stereotypes, clichés and templates, which has led to a loss of quality and originality, total convergence of visual language.
Today, when marketing – orientated designers replaces visual artists creating posters and prints, attention and reconsideration of visual information, encoded in their graphics, gets a growing importance. Knowingly made visual errors, inaccuracies can not only attract the attention, but also encourage the viewers to rethink them. On the other side, ingeniously disintegrated parts of the composition or some “visual riddles” provokes the viewer to turn his intelligence on; as a result, the whole of the visual message acquires a much greater value than it’s separate parts.
The mentioned development of digital technologies also offers unlimited image transformation capabilities, and also encourages wider use of dynamic compositions, based on video formats. Quick visible changes or movements (from chaos to structure etc.) helps to attract and keep viewer’s attention.
The study of changes in Gestalt principles most of all concerns prints and poster as a universal genre of graphic design that combines individual artistic expression with adaptive graphic communication. The research of exchanges is based on analysis of examples of printed and digital Gestalt applications.

Keywords:
Gestalt, rules of gestaltung

Abstract:
Video game design is an extensive field of study and complex creation process which synthesize various scientific areas such as information technologies, art and design, psychology, and other social sciences. During the time, character design evolved into a separate field of study. Character design process is constantly in front of new challenges, due to the changes in the digital era, and a considerable quantity of information that people are exposed to. The most attention is put on the visual appearance of the character during the creation process. There is a large number of influential factors on the visual representation of the character, some of them are: game genre, the target audience, platform. However, in the design stage, excellent knowledge of the visual elements of the art is required because they have the most influence on the visual representation of the character. Analogous to the real world and the real human characters, virtual characters have ’’personality’’ as well. In order to accent the specificity of the character, not only the art elements have to be considered, but personality characteristics. The paper will provide an overview of the elements of art and personality factors such as archetype, facial expression, view, body posture. The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the mutual connection of the art elements and personality factors and their final influence on the unique appearance of the character.

Keywords:
character design, the elements of art, virtual characters

Abstract:
Nowadays, people are increasingly more aware of natural resources which enrich and shape our living space. The Kozjansko Regional Park boasts with rich cultural and natural heritage that is worth seeing in person. The visual identity of the park greatly influences the level of visits and awareness of these natural riches. Through its visual identity the park reflects its uniqueness, strategies, and vision, thus communicating with its current and potential visitors. The purpose of this study was to investigate and analyse the existing visual identity of the park through the colour combinations and typography of the existing logo. Additional aim of the study was the redesign of the existing printed material for the Kozjansko Regional Park’s Gruska cave. In the study we have developed a redesigned solution of the existing graphic materials as a part of the park’s visual identity.

Keywords:
brand colours, eye tracking, logo design, typography, visual identity

Abstract:
The aim of this research was to create a corporate identity and to enrich it with a coffee fragrance. To reach this goal, microcapsules with coffee essential oil were used. For testing, two types of samples were prepared: business cards, with designed and printed fragranced logotype, and samples with fully printed surface using printing ink enriched with the fragranced microcapsules. The microcapsules and the printed samples were analysed using selected testing methods, scanning electron microscope and sensory test. The sensory test was conducted in an odourless room, during afternoons, over a four-month period. During this pilot study, a questionnaire for respondents was prepared. Business cards were used for company customers, whose response on fragranced items was tested and analysed. From the results obtained during tests we established that the screen printing inks with added fragrant microcapsules emit a recognizable scent over a long period of time, and that their presence as a corporate identity attracts customers and produces positive effects.

Keywords:
coffee essential oil, corporate identity, microcapsules, screen printing

Abstract:
The evolution of high resolution displays, especially liquid crystal displays (LCD) that are among the most commonly used ones, has contributed to a larger circle of display readers. Despite high resolutions, problems in the legibility of typefaces still occur. Many typefaces may well be readable in print, but cause more difficulties when being read on displays. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of colour contrast on the legibility on LCDs to establish which type style is appropriate for a coloured text to be legible. Two different, specially designed typefaces for display use (one transitional, i.e. Georgia, and one sans-serif, i.e. Verdana) were tested in a satisfactory light-dark contrast of three different colour combinations involving five colours, i.e. dark grey (#1A1A1A) on white (#FFFFFF), dark blue (#142451) on light grey (#D9D9D9) and red (#C62026) on light grey. The reading speed and fixations were analysed with an eye-tracking device Tobii 120X. Different texts in both typefaces at 12 pt (16 px), in 130% leading and all colour combinations were displayed on a 24-inch LCD display. The forty tested individuals were between 19 and 22 years old. The results showed that the selection of a particular colour combination and contrast greatly affects the speed of reading and legibility. Less visible colour combinations of text and background were read more slowly than the more contrasting or visible ones at both typefaces. At both typefaces, it was seen that at a slower reading speed, more fixations were needed and vice-versa. It might also be concluded that the transitional typeface Georgia is more legible than the sans-serif typeface Verdana. Nevertheless, it appears that different colour combinations had different reading speeds at different typefaces (transitional vs sans-serif). An appropriate contrast and colour combination can facilitate legibility on displays.

Keywords:
colour contrast, eye-tracking technology, LCD display, legibility, reading, typography

Abstract:
We live in a digital media-overloaded world. An enormous number of images, sound and video files are continuously being created and either transmitted over the internet or stored on hard drives or portable storage devices. During their transmission or storage, however, such digital files are almost without an exception subjected to a process of discarding most of their original information, since e.g. fast opening of a web site image or a small audio file size are today of utmost importance. Loss in redundant or imperceptible information is therefore inevitable and incorporated in lossy compression algorithms such as JPEG, MPEG or MP3, but to record raw video or audio data only to be, in large part, soon discarded during the process of sending it to a receiver is obviously not an optimum approach. Compressed sensing is a signal processing technique that provides one solution to the above problem. Rather than performing acquisition followed by compression of a signal, it combines both steps in a single sensing – or sampling – operation. In other words, compressed sensing allows acquiring signals while taking only a few samples. One of the underlying assumptions of the signal is that it is sparse, i.e. it should be possible to represent it with a matrix, consisting of a large number of zero – or close to zero – coefficients. Images, when represented in a non-spatial domain, such as discrete cosine- or wavelet-domain, often comply with such a requirement.
Theory behind the compressed sensing will be presented briefly together with several examples of successful implementation of this method in the field of signal – mainly image – processing.

Keywords:
compressed sensing, image acquisition, sparsity, signal processing

Abstract:
Nowadays, digital projectors are used for displaying static and dynamic content, while operating with a wide range of different projection technologies. Presentation methods are also used to present important colour reproductions where the colours should be displayed accurately. The purpose of our research was to improve the colour quality of presentation and to define display of colour in digital projection. For that purpose high quality digital projector JVC DLA-RS15 was used. According to standard ISO 12646: 2010, was researched the display of colours in digital projection. For the colorimetric analysis of the displayed colours, the spectrophotometer i1Pro and the spectroradiometer PR-650 were used. Since the vast majority of digital photographs is captured and displayed in the standardized sRGB colour space, we investigated how well the sRGB colour space is displayed using JVC DLA-RS15 digital projector and whether the standard could be achieved by profiling its modules. Based on the results of our research, it was found out that spectroradiometer PR-650 always shows the same results regardless of the measuring distance. However, in case of the spectrophotometer i1Pro, it proved best to perform measurements and profiling so that the measuring distance equals to the projection distance. The monitoring and the evaluation of digital projections based on chromaticity, graduation, channel and grey balance and colour range according to the standard ISO 12646:2010 is quite demanding and time-consuming. It has also been found that a large colour gamut of saturated primary colours at digital projector does not guarantee the quality of the displayed colours in the standard sRGB colour space.

Keywords:
digital projector, colorimetric analysis, profiling, colours

Abstract:
Nowadays technology has developed a new form of appearance - virtual reality. This term currently exists in three different forms, virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality. Among these technologies, mixed reality has the most potential for use in everyday activities and education. This paper represents the overview of virtual reality technologies, their functioning and potential applications. When it comes to interaction, the mixed reality devices provide a completely new way of perception and understanding of the virtual space and objects. Since it is possible to interact with objects that exist in a virtual world in the same way as with objects that exist in the physical world, the high potential for the use of this technology for learning is evident. Utilizing advanced hardware components such as transparent displays and cameras simulating stereoscopic vision, in combination with advanced software technologies including spacial mapping, ambient lighting, ambient sound, identifying objects, movements from the real world and location, MR provides the closest HCI experience so far. Discussing the potential use of this technology, and current development phase in which it exists, the paper has the aim to induce questions and interest about further development of its use and application, such as multimedia learning (Mayer. 2009). The example of the use of MR technology on the HoloLens device is provided in this paper, in order to demonstrate the way of its use.

Keywords:
virtual reality, mixed reality, holograms, 3D modelling

Abstract:
The aim of this research was to design mobile application that engages and motivates the end user to be physically active by promoting healthy habits. More and more services and mobile applications have begun to implement game elements. Competing application analysis found that the implementation of gamification should be unobtrusive recurring task cycle. The application was designated for young people and the results shown that implementation of gamification motivated them to be more active.

Keywords:
mobile application, gamification, user experience

Abstract:
An image can contain myriad different colours, but only a few of them are noticeable at first sight, hence in some way are defining the image. Therefore, the question arises which colours are prominent and what are the main factors that affect their prominence. In this paper, we present a web-based application that supports an interactive selection of colours and can be used to gather prominent colours for a set of images. The resulted database of images and their corresponding colours can be further used for investigating which image features or colour properties contribute to their prominence and for validating the models for automatic extraction of prominent colours from the images. First, the perception of prominent colours is addressed, and applied perspective of this knowledge is given. In the remainder of the paper, an overview of application architecture is presented, and a more detailed description of application’s settings and usage is given. Although the main purpose of our application is to gather prominent colours of images based on the observer’s opinion, the application could also be used for conducting other psychophysical experiments. The application supports three different modes for selecting the prominent colours: selection of basic hues, selection from ColorChecker Classic target and selection from custom defined patches.

Keywords:
web application, colour scheme, prominent colours, colour selection

Abstract:
The properties of typefaces are a prominent element in graphic communication. Over time, distinctive features of letterforms have evolved, influenced by the technological advancements. Today, letterforms are part of typeface units which serve as means of communication and are available in various styles. Research studies regarding the typeface legibility and the effects of semantic properties of typefaces have given a considerable insight into the effects of the distinctive features of typefaces. However, the construction of typographic stimuli design in previous research was unsystematic leading to inconsistent results and understanding of the typeface distinctive features effects. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to propose a systematic method for manipulation of the typographic stimuli in research studies. The design of the typographic test samples involved detection of the universal letterform structure and manipulation of the formal attributes of typefaces. The method of perimetric complexity was used to measure the complexity of the letterforms’ formal attributes, as well as the complexity of the complete letterform. Due to diverse letterform properties, two metric systems for measuring perimetric complexity (Pelli’s algorithm and morphological components function) were chosen. The analysis of the obtained results confirmed that particular formal attributes, singular or combined, are more complex than others, that is a gradient of letterform complexity was revealed. Also, the results of the letterform characterization using the second method provide slightly more conclusive results making it possible to infer which groups of formal attributes contribute to the increase of letterforms’ complexity.

Keywords:
typography, typeface properties, letterform, complexity of form, perimetric complexity