Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
View my library
0
Teachers
Pupils
View unit
New
New
Lesson 1 of 7
  • Year 11

Deepening the understanding of the principles of printing

I can apply printing principles, including registration and composition, to produce layered prints with precision and creativity.

Download all
View unit
Lesson 1 of 7
New
New
  • Year 11

Deepening the understanding of the principles of printing

I can apply printing principles, including registration and composition, to produce layered prints with precision and creativity.

Download all

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

View new resources

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Printing methods share core principles but create different effects.
  2. Registration and layering add complexity and precision to designs.
  3. Compositional choices affect clarity and visual impact.

Keywords

  • Registration - aligning layers of a print accurately when using multiple colours or block

  • Composition - the arrangement of visual elements within an artwork

Common misconception

Printing is only about copying or replicating an image.

Printing is a creative process where choices about technique, layering, and texture produce unique outcomes - even when using the same plate or block.


To help you plan your year 11 art and design lesson on: Deepening the understanding of the principles of printing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage pupils to embrace "happy accidents" - unexpected textures or shifts in registration can be reframed as creative opportunities rather than mistakes, helping build resilience and experimentation in printmaking.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Printing inks (water-based). Print rollers. Printing blocks/polystyrene sheets/lino tiles. Carving tools (if appropriate). Paper (varied weights). Ink trays, palettes. Aprons, gloves.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Skip lesson video

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What does registration mean in printmaking?

The record of all print editions
The way ink is stored before use
Correct answer: The alignment of multiple layers of a print
The thickness of paper used for printing

Q2.
True or false? Accurate registration allows artists to use multiple colours or layers in their designs.

Correct Answer: True, Correct

Q3.
Which technique is commonly used for registration when printing onto paper?

Heat press technique
Rinse and repeat technique
Correct answer: Grid technique
Fold technique

Q4.
If your two-colour print looks blurred or misaligned, what is the most likely cause?

Too much ink on the roller
Using the wrong type of paper
Correct answer: Incorrect registration
Not enough pressure when printing

Q5.
Why is negative space important in print design?

It reduces the need for ink
It ensures prints dry faster
Correct answer: It helps define shapes and improves composition
It hides mistakes in the design

Q6.
Which 3 of the following are common mistakes in printing registration?

Correct answer: Over-inking causing smudges
Correct answer: Misaligned layers causing blur
Correct answer: Imprecise marking of registration points
Using the grid technique correctly

Additional material

Download additional material