‘Printing’ is one of the most influential industries in the world. It keeps evolving with advancements in technology.
From the earliest letterpress techniques to modern digital printing, many types of print exist today. What’s interesting is that each method has its own purpose and benefits.
With a plethora of options, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.
No matter who you are and what you need to print, understanding different printing techniques may ease your decision-making process. Furthermore, it makes your printing project look professional and meet your objectives.
In this guide, expect to explore various types of printing, their specialities, and much more.
Printing is the process of reproducing text and images on material using ink. For centuries, the printing industry has undergone immense changes depending on the changing demands. The different kinds of printmaking are as follows:
Letterpress is one of the oldest types of print art in which the ink is applied to raised portions and then transferred to paper. It is still in use as people love the unique texture it creates. You can actually feel the impression in the paper. Hence, it is chosen for printing where texture matters. The letterpress printing goes well for wedding invitations, business cards, and premium papers.
So, what is offset printing? It is one of the most popular printing methods that leads the industry. But why? The process is so simple yet effective. The ink transfers from a metal plate to a rubber blanket before hitting the paper, which is technically termed ‘offset’.
Lithography printing, often referred to as litho printing, is a principle of using oil and water in such a way that they don’t mix. This process involves the usage of printing plates with image areas that draw in ink and non-image areas that repel it. Due to its high-quality results, it serves as the standard for commercial printing.
Screen printing is another printing setup that forces ink to pass through a mesh screen onto the material placed below. What’s so special about screen printing? It works on almost any surface, like shaped boards, which are commonly used for custom retail displays, directional signage, and decorative branding panels to create unique and eye-catching visual communication.
Flexible relief plates made of rubber or photopolymer materials are used in flexographic printing. This kind of printing is generally used for packaging and commercial applications, including plastic, foil, and boards.
When your print quality matters more, gravure printing should be your choice. It uses engraved cylinders with tiny ink-holding cells that transfer directly to paper. This method is mostly preferred for images and detailed illustrations. Some of the common uses are,
Though the setup costs are high, gravure printing becomes economical for bulk-volume projects.
Inkjet technology represents one of the most versatile types of printing. In inkjet printing, tiny droplets of ink onto different surfaces. Moreover, inkjet printers produce detailed images using continuous flow or drop-on-demand systems. It is another cost-effective solution for both small and large-format printing.
Digital printing is the one that emerged to overcome the drawbacks of traditional techniques. It replaced many of the mechanical components used in offset printing. Wondering how? In digital printing, the digital files can be transferred to the printing device directly.
UV printing uses ultraviolet light to dry ink as it is printed. This breakthrough process allows the ink to dry immediately, so UV printing does not get absorbed into the surface of the material. As a result, you will get vibrant colours and clear details even on non-absorbent materials.
As you guessed, eco printing is an environment-friendly printing technique. This printmaking technique involves processes that include recycled or sustainable materials and energy-efficient tools that may not harm the planet Earth as others do.
Pro Tip: Whatever printing type you choose, know RGB versus CMYK and set your design in the right colour model to print professionally.
Depending on the characteristics, printing types are differentiated as follows:
|
Printing Type |
Speed |
Setup Cost |
Quality |
Material Versatility |
|
Offset/Litho |
High |
High |
Excellent |
Good |
|
Digital |
Medium |
Low |
Very Good |
Limited |
|
Ink-jet |
Low-Medium |
Low |
Good-Excellent |
Excellent |
|
Screen |
Low |
Medium |
Good |
Excellent |
|
Flexographic |
High |
Medium |
Good |
Excellent |
|
UV |
Medium |
Medium |
Excellent |
Excellent |
|
Letterpress |
Low |
High |
Good |
Limited |
|
Gravure |
High |
Very High |
Excellent |
Good |
|
Eco |
Varies |
Varies |
Good |
Good |
Be self-satisfied! Now you know printing has come a long way, and there are various techniques to suit different needs. Be it small or bulk printing, opting for the right printing method makes all the difference. Know the ins and outs of different printing types and dip your toes logically.
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An enthusiastic Graphic Designer professional with strong communication and organisational skills, who is passionate about creating and developing innovative ideas with the client to help them get their business noticed. I work to the highest standards and have an excellent eye for detail with skills in design and organisation. I am a dependable and productive worker whose honesty and integrity provides effective leadership and builds excellent relationships. I enjoy innovatively…
