Surface Treatment and Finishes

Some products are modified to add protection or fix a common problem to keep quality high. This improves functionality and aesthetics.

Paper and board:

Additives to help ink dry – To help speed up the rate of printing an additive can be put into ink to help it dry quicker so stacks of printing can be produced without sticking or smearing print.

Embossing gives paper a texture by sending it through embossing rollers.

Varnish – A top coat of thin varnish on paper or card will create a shiny smooth finish and give it some protection from moisture.

UV varnish – Gives the same protection as varnish but can be applied to spots of paper giving a shiny finish or the whole sheet. It is set with an Ultra violet light. It is particularly useful on paper which will be handled a lot.

Edge staining - creates a decorative edge around paper .

Hot foil blocking - a metal foil with an adhesive back is heated and pressed against paper or board to leave a metallic pattern, used on greetings cards.

Lettering - Writing can be applied to paper and board through printing or embossing.

Binding - the process of covering thin paper with a thicker paper or card outer case to give rigidity and an attractive cover.

Timber and board:

Seasoning – Wood that has been cut down is full of moisture and will rot and warp if used straight away. Once stripped of its bark and sliced it has to be stored dry and flat.

Tanalising – Outdoor wood needs tantalising to prevent rot. Once seasoned it is dipped in a tank of preservative with the air removed to force the preservative into the grain as deep as possible. It is then dried and ready to use. This will prevent rot and insect damage.

Varnish, wax and paint – To create a smooth finish and protective layer you can coat your wood. Varnish and wax are see through so keep the grain of the wood visible, paint covers the wood completely. As long as the rough grain is sanded between layers you can make a smooth protective finish.

Metal:

Annealing – Heating a metal and allowing it to cool slowly makes a metal ductile and easier to bend without snapping

Dip coating – Heating the metal and dipping it into plastic grains which melt to a smooth finish around it creates a comfortable and less thermo conductive handle.

Galvanising – Because ferrous metals rust easily it is galvanised by giving it a protective layer of zinc.

To create colour metal can be painted, powder coated and lacquered.

Electroplating - uses an electrical current to attract metal particles to the item giving it a constant coating.

Anodising - uses the part to complete an electrical circuit to increase the thickness of the metal parts.

Polymers (plastics):

Ultra violet light (daylight) can damage the structure of polymers. Whilst liquid a UV stabilising chemical can be added to stop the degradation. Particularly used in outdoor furniture.

Polymers can also be printed on and have vinyl decals made to be glued on. These can protect against rust and be decorative (as in a sign written vehicle).

Edges can be polished to a high shine using fine grit.

Textiles:

Flame retardant spray - Legally soft furnishings and nightwear have to be resistant to fire. They are sprayed with a flame retardant spray.

Dye and ink can be added to the surface of textiles to give decoration. This can be screen printed, applied by rollers or ink jet printed.

Fabric can be decorated with ink and paint, resist painting such as batik or printing with an inkjet printer.

Couching, patchwork and quilting creates decorative padding by sewing layers together.

Laminating layers of fabric can create combinations of fabrics such as waterproof outers and warm inners.

Applique and embroider can use patches of fabric and hand stitching to create images.

Flame proof fibres – Racing drivers and fire fighters require lightweight, cool fabrics (such as cotton) but have flame retardant fibres woven into the fabric.

Anti stain – Additives such as silicone and Teflon can make fabric resistant to stains. This is often seen in school uniforms which need to be hard wearing.

Moisture resistance – Mildew is a sort of mould which can cause fabrics to rot, it thrives in damp conditions. A spray can be added to make a product damp resistant.

Chemical treatments - bleaching (takes out colour), mercerising (strengthens and makes shiny), carbonising (used to get organic material out of wool).

Physical finishes - Calendering (fabric run through heated rollers to make it shiny), raising (scouring the surface of a fabric to make it hairy), heat setting (to improve crease resistance), desizing and singeing (cleans and cuts ends of newly woven uncleaned cotton), emerising (sending fabric through a roller covered in emery to give a lustre), milling (bonding wool together), fulling or walking (cleaning wool to get rid or dirt and oils).

Biological - Biostoning and biopolishing is uses enzymes to create an aged look on jeans and denim.

Electronics:

Photosensitive PCB board has the surface anodised with aluminium to improve the surface hardness.

Lacquer and lubrication can be sprayed onto PCB’s to avoid damage from moisture.

Insulating coverings and coatings such as tape to improve safety.

Metal plating to improve functionality and performance of electrical connections.

Cases and outer coverings can be anodised, painted and screen printed with decoration.

Cables and wires can be contained in looms, cable ties and sleeves to stop them getting tangled.