Printing Techniques You Should Know

Just like any other industry, the print industry has evolved with time, and it is still in the process of welcoming advancements. Since Gutenberg invented the first printing press in 1440, there have been many innovations made in the printing industry, and today there are various types of printing methods available. Each printing method is made to suit different print needs.

Digital printing companies in Dubai are enabling businesses of all sizes to choose a printing technique that best represents and highlights their services or products.

In this article, you will learn about the most popular printing techniques you should know and how each one of them is different from another.

Printing has a long history as it has been around for a long time now. One of the oldest techniques of printing is woodcut printing. It involved image carving onto a wooden surface.

Today, instead of manually carving the image on wood, it is possible to choose from a wide range of advanced printing techniques.

Some modern-day printing techniques are:

Digital-printing-concept-illustration

  • Offset Lithography
  • Flexography
  • Digital Printing
  • Large Format
  • Screen Printing
  • 3D Printing

Let’s get to know each one of them!

Offset Lithography

This printing technique is mostly used for printing of rough surfaces such as cloth, canvas, wood, etc. It is a versatile printing technique, and this is why it can also be used to print on paper, books, stationery, and many more items. It is also referred to as offset printing or litho and is famous for mass-production printing.

In offset lithography, plates made of aluminium are printed, holding the image of the required content that has to be printed. After which the plates get transferred (offset) onto rubber blankets or rollers before they are sent onto any type of media. There is no contact made between the metal plates and the print media, and this is the reason for the extended lifespans of the plates. Also, it is possible to use, the flexible material of rubber blankets and rollers means offset lithography, on any kind of media having a rough surface.

Offset lithography is making it possible to create high-quality graphics and images, and it is being used widely for high volume or small print jobs.

Flexography

Flexography is mostly used for labels and packings and anything that has continuous patterns, for example, gift papers and wallpapers.

This printing technique is considered as the advanced level letterpress printing, and it is used for printing on surfaces that are uneven. Flexography uses semi-liquid inks and quick-drying and is typically used for high-volume printing jobs.

Flexography printing involves photopolymer printing plates that, on a web press, are wrapped around rotating cylinders. The ink plates carry an enhanced content image, and they rotate on high speeds for transferring the image onto the print media.

This printing technique is known for its long run suitability, high press speed, and printing ability to print a wide range of media such as cellophane, plastic, and metallic film.

Digital Printing

Digital printing is most commonly used for signage, posters, letters, menus, newsletters, and labels. It is one of the advanced and modern-day printing solutions that encompass a good range of techniques such as laser and inkjet printing.

In this printing technique, images are sent directly to the printer by using digital files, for instance, PDFs. The need for printing plates is eliminated in this printing method, unlike other printing types such as lithography. It is a time-saving and cost-effective way of printing (unless you want to print in bulk quantity).

Digital printing is enabling businesses to print-on-demand and also allows for short turnaround time. This printing technique is suitable for small-run jobs (customer can even demand just one print). If digital printing is selected for the right job, it proves to be the best printing method that allows for high-quality prints.

Screen Printing

Screen printing is used for printing on clothes, posters, fabric banners, and printing logos. It is a printing technique in which mesh or fine material is used for transferring the image onto the required material. For the creation of a screen, the mesh is stretched, and ink is pressed against it for printing the image successfully. Screen printing can also be used for printing onto metal and paper.

For screen printing, a lot of setting up is needed, and so it is better to choose this technique when printing in bulk quantity. For small quantities, it isn’t cost-effective.

3D Printing

3D printing is most commonly used for marketing and promotion freebies, display items, toy figures, and novelty items.

Because of 3D printing, it became possible to print three-dimensional objects, which makes it easier to influence your audience. Objects of various sizes and shapes are created using computerized model data from three-dimensional models or electronic sources like Additive Manufacturing File (AMF), where the additive compound mixtures are fused or creation of a 3D object.

3D printers have evolved greatly with time and have become extra sophisticated. Today, it has become possible to print items with moving interior parts. After working on details using programs like CAD, a plastic substance is used to print minuscule layers, one on top of another.

Large Format

The large Format printing technique is mostly used for printing banners, posters, billboards, murals, wallpapers, floor graphics, etc.

Such a printing method is made available for producing maximum width print roll. It is suitable for advertising mediums that are traditional and businesses that are looking for ways to create an impact on customers.
Large format printing involves print rolls that are incrementally fed in order to create a single large sheet, instead of printing onto many sheets individually.

For large print media like banners, billboards, building wraps, murals, etc., the best technique of printing is the large format printing, whereas other printing methods will fail to meet the requirements for such type of print media.

Wrap Up

Today, there is a variety of printing techniques available. Some of them are suited for specific types of printing, whereas some have versatile nature and are suitable for a good range of requirements. Choosing the right printing technique is crucial not only for your marketing plan but also to create just the right amount of influence on your customers.

About Author:
Nobeel Shawn is a professional Digital Marketer & lead gen Specialist at 3D Printing Services. He is passionate about all the latest trends in digital media & marketing and loves to try out new things in life. His creativity and unique approach reflect his ability to take digital marketing in an all new direction

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