AQA A LEVEL DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
PRODUCT DESIGN 7552 1 PAPER 1
TECHNICAL PRINCIPLES FINAL PAPER
2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND MARK
SCHEME GRADED A+
⩥ Varnishing (paper). Answer: A paper finishing process which coats a
paper in clear, non-pigmented ink to enhance the colour of paper
⩥ Die cutting. Answer: A paper forming process which is used to cut
nets, which when folded become 3D shapes
⩥ Laser cutting (paper). Answer: A paper forming process used to cut,
engrave and perforate papers and boards
⩥ Laminating (paper). Answer: A paper finishing process which either
encapsulates or adds a layer to paper to act as a protective layer
⩥ Foil blocking. Answer: A paper finishing process which uses heat and
pressure to apply a metallic foil to papers and boards
,⩥ Acrylic varnish. Answer: A wood finish which is clear and allows the
wood's natural grain to show, it provides a hard, tough and
heat/waterproof finish
⩥ Teak oil. Answer: A wood finish is used for outdoor wood products as
it added a weather resistance as well as preventing fungus and insect
attack
⩥ Danish oil. Answer: A wood finish which maintains the natural
appearance of the wood as well as enhancing the grain
⩥ Wax. Answer: A wood finish which increases a wood's hardness and
toughness a swell as enhancing its grain
⩥ Stains. Answer: A wood finish which enhances the woods grain and
adds colour. It doesn't add any protection but it can make inexpensive
wood look expensive
⩥ Colour wash. Answer: A wood finish which colours a wood without
hiding the grain
⩥ Pressure treating. Answer: A wood finish which protects wood from
rotting and insect attack
,⩥ Water based paints. Answer: A wood finish which provides protection
and colour , as well as improving toughness and hardness
⩥ Laminating (woods). Answer: A wood forming process which bonds
layers of wood together
⩥ Steam bending (woods). Answer: A wood forming process which
heats up strips of timber so it can be shaped over a former
⩥ Turning (woods). Answer: A wood wasting process which machines
wood on a lathe
⩥ Milling (wood). Answer: A wood wasting process used for cutting out
shapes in sheets of wood
⩥ Routing. Answer: A wood wasting process which is used to make slots
and holes on decorative mouldings
⩥ Thermoplastic. Answer: A material which can be repeatedly reheated
and reshaped, allowing it to be recycled after its initial use
⩥ Thermosetting polymer. Answer: A polymer which when heated
creates rigid crosslinks, meaning Ito cannot be reheated and reshaped
, ⩥ Elastomer. Answer: A material which at room temperature can be
deformed under pressure. Once relived of that pressure, it returns to its
original shape
⩥ Corn starch polymers. Answer: A biodegradable polymer used for
straws and disposable cutlery
⩥ Potatopak. Answer: A biodegradable polymer used for single use food
items e.g. cutlery
⩥ Biopol. Answer: A biodegradable polymer used for packaging film
⩥ Polylactic acid (PLA). Answer: A biodegradable polymer used for
single use bottles
⩥ Lactide. Answer: A biodegradable polymer used for slow release
medical patches
⩥ Glycolide. Answer: A biodegradable polymer used for food film
⩥ PHA. Answer: A biodegradable polymer used for slow release
medical patches
PRODUCT DESIGN 7552 1 PAPER 1
TECHNICAL PRINCIPLES FINAL PAPER
2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND MARK
SCHEME GRADED A+
⩥ Varnishing (paper). Answer: A paper finishing process which coats a
paper in clear, non-pigmented ink to enhance the colour of paper
⩥ Die cutting. Answer: A paper forming process which is used to cut
nets, which when folded become 3D shapes
⩥ Laser cutting (paper). Answer: A paper forming process used to cut,
engrave and perforate papers and boards
⩥ Laminating (paper). Answer: A paper finishing process which either
encapsulates or adds a layer to paper to act as a protective layer
⩥ Foil blocking. Answer: A paper finishing process which uses heat and
pressure to apply a metallic foil to papers and boards
,⩥ Acrylic varnish. Answer: A wood finish which is clear and allows the
wood's natural grain to show, it provides a hard, tough and
heat/waterproof finish
⩥ Teak oil. Answer: A wood finish is used for outdoor wood products as
it added a weather resistance as well as preventing fungus and insect
attack
⩥ Danish oil. Answer: A wood finish which maintains the natural
appearance of the wood as well as enhancing the grain
⩥ Wax. Answer: A wood finish which increases a wood's hardness and
toughness a swell as enhancing its grain
⩥ Stains. Answer: A wood finish which enhances the woods grain and
adds colour. It doesn't add any protection but it can make inexpensive
wood look expensive
⩥ Colour wash. Answer: A wood finish which colours a wood without
hiding the grain
⩥ Pressure treating. Answer: A wood finish which protects wood from
rotting and insect attack
,⩥ Water based paints. Answer: A wood finish which provides protection
and colour , as well as improving toughness and hardness
⩥ Laminating (woods). Answer: A wood forming process which bonds
layers of wood together
⩥ Steam bending (woods). Answer: A wood forming process which
heats up strips of timber so it can be shaped over a former
⩥ Turning (woods). Answer: A wood wasting process which machines
wood on a lathe
⩥ Milling (wood). Answer: A wood wasting process used for cutting out
shapes in sheets of wood
⩥ Routing. Answer: A wood wasting process which is used to make slots
and holes on decorative mouldings
⩥ Thermoplastic. Answer: A material which can be repeatedly reheated
and reshaped, allowing it to be recycled after its initial use
⩥ Thermosetting polymer. Answer: A polymer which when heated
creates rigid crosslinks, meaning Ito cannot be reheated and reshaped
, ⩥ Elastomer. Answer: A material which at room temperature can be
deformed under pressure. Once relived of that pressure, it returns to its
original shape
⩥ Corn starch polymers. Answer: A biodegradable polymer used for
straws and disposable cutlery
⩥ Potatopak. Answer: A biodegradable polymer used for single use food
items e.g. cutlery
⩥ Biopol. Answer: A biodegradable polymer used for packaging film
⩥ Polylactic acid (PLA). Answer: A biodegradable polymer used for
single use bottles
⩥ Lactide. Answer: A biodegradable polymer used for slow release
medical patches
⩥ Glycolide. Answer: A biodegradable polymer used for food film
⩥ PHA. Answer: A biodegradable polymer used for slow release
medical patches
