Film Types and Characteristics for SS 3

Class: SS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 3
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Printing Craft
Topic: FILM MAKING
Subject Matter: Film and their characteristics; Pan chromatic films; Orthochromotic films; Laser films
Previous Lesson: Maintenance of Photo-Composition Machines and Accessories

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Define film in the context of printing craft.
• Identify the general characteristics of films used in printing.
• Differentiate between panchromatic, orthochromatic, and laser films based on their characteristics.
• State the importance of proper film preservation.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the role of different film types in quality printing.
• Value the importance of careful handling and preservation of films.

Psychomotor Domain

• Observe and describe the characteristics of various film types.
• Demonstrate proper handling techniques for films.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Printing Craft for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 3
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Samples of panchromatic film
• Samples of orthochromatic film
• Samples of laser film
• Charts illustrating film characteristics
• Projector (if available) to display images of films

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding different film types and their characteristics is fundamental in printing craft, as it directly impacts the quality and outcome of printed materials. This lesson provides students with essential knowledge to select and handle films appropriately, ensuring effective and high-quality printing processes. It also highlights the significance of film preservation for longevity and reusability.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of photography and the general concept of image transfer in printing.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

FILM MAKING

Film and its Characteristics

In printing craft, a film is a thin, flexible sheet of plastic material coated with a light-sensitive emulsion. It is used to capture and transfer images or text onto a printing plate. The quality and type of film significantly affect the final print.

General characteristics of films include:

1. Sensitivity to Light: Films react differently to various wavelengths of light.
2. Resolution: The ability of the film to capture fine details.
3. Contrast: The degree of difference between the lightest and darkest areas of an image.
4. Dimensional Stability: The film’s ability to maintain its size and shape despite changes in temperature or humidity.
5. Density: The degree of opacity or blackness of the image on the film.

Types of Films in Printing

Panchromatic Films

Panchromatic films are sensitive to all colours of the visible spectrum (red, green, and blue light). They record colours as shades of grey, similar to how the human eye perceives brightness.

Characteristics:

1. Sensitive to all visible light colours.
2. Produces realistic tonal renditions of coloured subjects in black and white.
3. Requires complete darkness or a special safelight (e.g., dark green) for handling and processing to avoid fogging.
4. Commonly used for general-purpose photography and graphic arts where accurate tonal reproduction of colours is needed.

Orthochromatic Films

Orthochromatic films are sensitive to blue and green light but are insensitive to red light. This characteristic makes them useful in certain printing applications.

Characteristics:

1. Sensitive to blue and green light.
2. Insensitive to red light, allowing them to be handled and processed under a red safelight.
3. Renders red objects as very dark or black, while blue and green objects appear lighter.
4. Often used for line work, half-tone negatives, and contact printing where red sensitivity is not desired or would cause issues.

Laser Films

Laser films are specifically designed for use with laser imagesetters or platesetters. They are exposed by precise laser beams, offering high resolution and accuracy for digital imaging workflows.

Characteristics:

1. Exposed by laser light, typically red or infrared lasers.
2. Offers very high resolution and sharp dot reproduction.
3. Excellent dimensional stability for precise registration in multi-colour printing.
4. Used in computer-to-film (CTF) or computer-to-plate (CTP) systems for creating high-quality negatives or positives.
5. Often handled in daylight conditions before laser exposure, as they are not typically sensitive to ambient light.

Preservation of Films

Proper preservation of films is essential to maintain their quality and ensure their longevity for future use. Incorrect handling or storage can lead to damage, degradation, and loss of image quality.

Methods of film preservation:

1. Clean Handling: Always handle films by the edges to avoid fingerprints, dirt, and scratches. Use clean gloves if possible.
2. Dust-Free Environment: Store films in a clean, dust-free area to prevent particles from adhering to the emulsion.
3. Temperature and Humidity Control: Store films in a cool, dry environment with stable temperature and humidity to prevent warping, fading, or fungal growth.
4. Protective Sleeves/Envelopes: Place films in archival-quality, acid-free sleeves or envelopes to protect them from physical damage and environmental factors.
5. Proper Storage Containers: Store sleeved films flat in sturdy, archival boxes or cabinets.
6. Avoid Direct Sunlight: Keep films away from direct sunlight or strong artificial light sources, which can cause fading and degradation.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating prior knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to recall what they know about the role of film in photography or any printing process they might be familiar with. The teacher then introduces the topic “FILM MAKING” and explains that the lesson will focus on different types of films used in printing craft and their characteristics.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and listen attentively to the introduction of the new topic.

Learning Point: Introduction to film types

Step 2: Explanation of Film and Characteristics

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines what a film is in the context of printing craft and explains its general characteristics (sensitivity to light, resolution, contrast, dimensional stability, density), using charts or visual aids to illustrate. The teacher may show a generic film sample.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, observe the visual aids, and ask questions for clarification.

Learning Point: Film definition and characteristics

Step 3: Introduction to Panchromatic Films

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Observation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains panchromatic films, their sensitivity to all visible colours, and how they are handled. The teacher shows a sample of panchromatic film (if available) or a clear image, highlighting its characteristics.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the film sample/image and note down the characteristics of panchromatic films.

Learning Point: Panchromatic film characteristics

Step 4: Introduction to Orthochromatic Films

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Comparison

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains orthochromatic films, their sensitivity to blue and green light, and insensitivity to red light, and how this affects their handling (red safelight). The teacher shows a sample of orthochromatic film or an image and compares its characteristics with panchromatic film.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe, compare, and write down the characteristics of orthochromatic films.

Learning Point: Orthochromatic film characteristics

Step 5: Introduction to Laser Films

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains laser films, their exposure by laser beams, and their use in modern digital printing workflows (CTF/CTP). The teacher shows a sample of laser film or an image, emphasizing its high resolution and dimensional stability.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the sample/image and note down the characteristics and applications of laser films.

Learning Point: Laser film characteristics

Step 6: Discussion on Film Preservation

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Discussion/Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the importance of proper film preservation and outlines key methods such as clean handling, dust-free environment, temperature control, and protective storage. The teacher asks students for their ideas on how to preserve films.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the discussion, offer suggestions, and note down the methods of film preservation.

Learning Point: Film preservation methods

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is a film in printing craft?
2. Mention two characteristics of film.
3. How is panchromatic film different from orthochromatic film?
4. State two characteristics of laser film.
5. Why is it important to preserve films?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding film types

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on film types and their characteristics into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson content

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly recaps the main points of the lesson, emphasizing the distinct uses and handling requirements for panchromatic, orthochromatic, and laser films, and the overall importance of film preservation in printing craft.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and ask any final questions.

Learning Point: Summary of film types

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Research and write a short paragraph on one specific application where orthochromatic film would be preferred over panchromatic film in a printing process. Also, list three common problems that can arise from improper film storage.

1. Explain a scenario where orthochromatic film is more suitable than panchromatic film.
2. List three negative consequences of poor film preservation.

Lesson Keywords

• Film – A light-sensitive material used to capture images in printing.
• Panchromatic Film – Film sensitive to all visible colours of light.
• Orthochromatic Film – Film sensitive to blue and green light, but not red.
• Laser Film – Film exposed by laser beams for high-resolution imaging.
• Emulsion – The light-sensitive coating on a film.
• Safelight – A light source used in darkrooms that does not affect light-sensitive materials.
• Dimensional Stability – The ability of film to maintain its size.

Differentiation

For struggling learners: Provide simplified diagrams or physical samples of each film type for direct observation. Focus on identifying one key characteristic for each film type and the most basic preservation tips. Use a matching exercise for film types and their properties.

For advanced learners: Challenge them to research the chemical composition differences between the film emulsions or explore the specific wavelengths of light each film type is sensitive to. Ask them to investigate the environmental impact of film processing and alternative digital workflows.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, search on YouTube for:

• types of film in printing craft SS3
• panchromatic vs orthochromatic film
• laser film in printing

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, gather actual samples of panchromatic, orthochromatic, and laser films if possible, or prepare clear, large images of each. Ensure you have charts illustrating their characteristics. Begin by engaging students with their prior knowledge of film in general. Systematically introduce each film type, explaining its unique characteristics and typical applications in printing craft. Encourage students to observe the samples and ask questions. Emphasize the practical implications of choosing the correct film type and the importance of proper preservation. During Step 8, guide students to copy the Board Summary notes, ensuring they understand the key terms and concepts before concluding the lesson. Provide support for weaker learners by simplifying explanations and offering visual cues, while challenging advanced learners with more in-depth inquiry.