Assessment test

Unit 5A Paper and boards

Assessment test Answers

1. Papers and boards come in three stock forms. Which one of the following
is not a stock form? [1]
⬨ Roll
⬨ Sheet
⬧ Layer
⬨ Ply

2. Which of these is not a type of fastening? [1]

⬨ Paper clip
⬧ Comb
⬨ Treasury tag
⬨ Bulldog clip

3. Explain why materials are available in stock forms. [3]

More readily available to buy / more likely to be in stock; easier to store and transport; primary
processing already completed; less expensive to buy; works more conveniently with standard
machinery e.g. A4 printers.
4. Explain how manufacturers try to reduce the impact of paper and board
packaging on the environment. [6]

Answers may relate to any of the following areas:

 Use of bio-degradable laminate layers.
 Avoidance of composite materials that make recycling more difficult
 Information for correct disposal on bottles, boxes etc.
 Use of materials from a sustainable source e.g. card with FSC mark.
 Recycling bins outside shops/outlets.
 Posters reminding consumers not to litter.
 Destruction of habitat / harm to waterways and the environment.

5-6 Marks A fully detailed and comprehensive response that covers many of the
points above. Use of two or more good examples about use of
materials to clarify understanding of issues given.
3-4 Marks A detailed and comprehensive response with that makes use of
several of the points above. Use of one or two examples or use of
materials to clarify understanding of question issues given.
1-2 Marks A fairly detailed response, which refers to some of the points above.
Little or no use of examples to clarify understanding.
0 Marks Nothing worthy of credit.

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Assessment test
Unit 5A Paper and boards

5. In the production process of papers and boards, pulp is made from cellulose fibres.

(a) Describe the process by which pulp is made. [3]

The cellulose fibres are prepared by chipping or shredding to make them finer;
the cellulose fibres are added to up to 99% water; the mixture is cooked under
pressure in big tanks; depending upon the desired result either colour dye or
bleach is added to the pulp mixture.

(b) In the pulp making process, sizing can be added. In paper and board
production define what is meant by the term ‘sizing’. [2]
Sizing is where pulp is treated to make the resulting product less absorbent;
The more sizing that takes place the less absorbent the material becomes.

(c) Describe how the pulp is converted into paper. You may use a flow diagram,
notes and sketches to help you. [5]

The pulp is fed onto a mesh conveyor belt which allows a lot of the water to
drain away; It makes its way through a set of rollers that squeeze out more of
the water; It moves onto another set of rollers which help the material to dry;
Finally it moves through a set of calender rollers; that give the paper its final
finish; such as a gloss varnish; or a white coating.

6. State the purpose of the following packaging marks.

(a) [1]

Registration mark used as a QC measure to check alignment in lithography.

(b) [1]

Colour bars used as a QC measure to check print colour accuracy and intensity.

7. Name the unit of measurement used to measure the thickness of board. [1]
A micron;

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Assessment test
Unit 5A Paper and boards

8. Explain the difference between the terms cutting, scoring and creasing. [3]
Creasing presses the material, usually in a line, compressing the paper or board in this
way makes it easier to fold;
Scoring makes a shallow partial cut, usually along a straight line, in the material making
it easier to fold;
Cutting detaches one section of the material from the other;

9. Die-cutting is a processing method used in schools and commercially.

What is meant by die-cutting? [2]

Die-cutting is a cutting method used to cut out unusual shapes from papers and boards;
It cuts out the full shape in one ‘press’; using metal blades that are arranged into the
desired shape.

10. Explain one disadvantage and one advantage of adding coatings, laminates
and linings to papers and board. [4]

Advantage: Coatings, laminates and linings can help to improve the aesthetical appeal
of the finished product; They also help to improve the function, for example making the
material stronger, or by helping to keep the contents inside hotter, colder or fresher;

Disadvantage: By adding any finishes or coatings, such as UV varnish or wax, to any

papers or boards you are introducing more chemicals and additives into the production
process; By adding layers of laminate, or foil linings you are making the material much
harder to recycle;
11. Give two reasons why a foil and laminate layer might be added to takeaway
food packaging. [2]
To help to keep the food hot or cold;
To help keep the food in side fresh;
To help retain any liquid;
To prevent the cardboard layer from becoming wet and soggy;

12. State one paper and board enhancement process that uses a relief die and
a counter die. [1]
Embossing; Debossing.

13. In the lithography printing process by what letter or term is the colour black known? [1]
Black is known as K; or key;

14. There are three main methods of joining papers and boards. One is fastenings.

State either of the other two. [1]

Seal; Binding;

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Assessment test
Unit 5A Paper and boards

15. You have been asked to design a paper and board based package to contain milk.
(a) Suggest a suitable paper or board material and state its weight in gsm. [2]
250-300gsm board; carton board;
(b) State a coating or layer of material that would be need to be added to the paper or
board to improve function and explain what the function of this layer or coating
would be. [3]
Laminate layers could be added; such as polymer or foil; which could be added to
help keep the milk fresh; cold; prevent the liquid from leaking out of the container; or
to improve the package’s strength;
A wax based coating; may be added to seal the printed ink; this coating would also
help make the material resistant to liquid;
(c) Suggest one method by which the milk carton could be printed. [1]
Lithography. Other commercial printing methods (including flexography and
gravure) not covered in the AQA specification may also be used.
(d) Suggest one enhancement that could be added to the paper or board carton to
improve the aesthetic appeal. [1]
Areas of the carton could be embossed; or debossed; to add visual appeal or to add
instructions in braille; A UV gloss varnish; could be added. Spot UV varnish; could
be added to pick out key parts of the design;

Total marks: 45