New
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Lesson 9 of 12
  • Year 11

Finishing processes for papers and boards

I can explain and compare small-scale and industrial finishing processes.

Lesson 9 of 12
New
New
  • Year 11

Finishing processes for papers and boards

I can explain and compare small-scale and industrial finishing processes.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Small-scale methods can be used to finish materials.
  2. Finishing materials on a larger scale require different techniques.

Keywords

  • Finishing - a process that adds surface treatment to improve how a material looks, feels, or performs

  • Aesthetics - how the product looks including colour, texture and style or theme

  • Function - what a product should do

  • Embellishment - adding decorative details to improve appearance

Common misconception

The same tools and methods are used for both small-scale and industrial manufacturing.

The scale of production heavily influences tool choice, speed, accuracy, and repeatability.


To help you plan your year 11 design and technology lesson on: Finishing processes for papers and boards, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Try to organise a small practical based on any of the processes mentioned in this lesson to fully embed learning.
Teacher tip

Equipment

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

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these materials is most likely to need a protective outer layer?

Correct answer: fabric for a raincoat
polypropylene chair
glass in a window
aluminium foil

Q2.
Which of these products is designed to look or feel a certain way on the outside?

Correct answer: a cardboard gift box
a tin of soup
a wooden broom handle
a pencil eraser

Q3.
Materials are chosen based on their physical and working .

Correct Answer: properties, property

Q4.
A ready-made part used across different products to make manufacturing easier is called a .

Correct Answer: component, components

Q5.
What is the main purpose of recycling?

Correct answer: to save resources
to generate waste
to collect raw materials
to increase pollution

Q6.
What does CNC stand for?

Computerised Numeric Cutting
Controlled Numerical Coding
Correct answer: Computer Numerical Control
Central Networked Control

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
A process that adds surface treatment to improve how a material looks, feels, or performs is called .

Correct Answer: finishing, finish

Q2.
What does the term 'aesthetics' mean when talking about a product?

how well the product works
how strong the product is
Correct answer: how the product looks and feels
how much the product costs

Q3.
What is the main purpose of a finishing process?

to change the shape of a material
Correct answer: to improve appearance or performance
to reduce the cost of production
to join two materials together

Q4.
Foil transfer, embossing powders and gold leaf are all examples of hand .

Correct Answer: embellishment, embellishments

Q5.
Match the paper and boards finish to its typical aesthetic effect.

Correct Answer:foil blocking,shiny metallic or pigmented foil

shiny metallic or pigmented foil

Correct Answer:embossing,raised 3D design or texture

raised 3D design or texture

Correct Answer:UV varnish,glossy or matte areas that catch the light

glossy or matte areas that catch the light

Correct Answer:screen printing,bold, vibrant, and often textured colour effects

bold, vibrant, and often textured colour effects

Q6.
Put the following steps in the correct order for finishing process screen printing for paper and boards.

1 - A design is created and separated by colour.
2 - Each colour is transferred onto a separate screen.
3 - The screen acts as a stencil, allowing ink to pass through in specific areas.
4 - Ink is pressed through the screen onto the item using a squeegee.
5 - The ink is dried or cured to set the design.