Week 2: Understanding Packaging Materials and Substrates

**Class Description:**

Dive deeper into the world of packaging design with a focused exploration of materials and substrates in our second week. This class is designed to expand your knowledge of the diverse range of materials available for packaging, including an array of boards and other substrates, their print capabilities, limitations, and the strategic benefits they offer. Through a blend of theory and practical examples, you'll learn how to select the perfect material for your packaging projects, balancing aesthetics, functionality, sustainability, and cost.

**Key Learning Outcomes:**

1. **Overview of Packaging Materials:** Gain a comprehensive understanding of various packaging materials, including paperboard, corrugated board, plastics, metals, glass, and emerging sustainable options.

2. **Characteristics and Applications:** Learn the unique properties, advantages, and disadvantages of different materials and how they influence design decisions, from structural integrity to visual appeal.

3. **Printing Techniques and Limitations:** Delve into the world of printing on different substrates, exploring techniques such as lithography, flexography, digital, and screen printing, and understand their implications for design.

4. **Sustainability and Environmental Impact:** Evaluate materials based on their environmental footprint, discussing recyclability, biodegradability, and the role of renewable resources in packaging design.

5. **Real-World Examples:** Analyze case studies that showcase innovative and effective use of materials in packaging, highlighting how material choice impacts brand identity and consumer experience.

**Homework:**

Comment with a material you'd like to see used in packaging more often.

In Week 2, we'll unpack the complexities of packaging materials and substrates, equipping you with the knowledge to make informed decisions that enhance your packaging designs' quality, sustainability, and consumer appeal. Get ready to touch, see, and experience the building blocks of innovative packaging.

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