THE FINE PRINT

Printing - The Different Types Of Printing

Printing has been around since before 220AD, with the earliest known method being woodcut, where a print is taken from a negative image carved out of a hardwood surface. Printing has advanced considerably since this time and continues to evolve towards the future and beyond. This article explores the seven most well-known methods of commercial printing and their most common uses.

1. Offset Lithography

Offset lithography can also be known as offset printing or litho printing. It is a widely used method of mass production printing. Printing plates made from aluminium contain the image that is to be printed. The plate is inked and then the image is transferred or “offset” from the plate to a rubber blanket or roller, then to the printing surface. This process is combined with the lithographic technique which is based on the repulsion of oil and water. The printing plate obtains ink from the roller, whereas the non-printing area attracts a film of water keeping these areas ink free.

This process is great for reproducing high quality images and can be used for small or high volume runs for items such as books, fabrics and stationery. Also, because the rollers are flexible and the metal plates do not come into contact with the printed surface, this means that substrates such as rough paper or canvas can be used without any compromise on quality.

2. Flexography

Flexography, often abbreviated to flexo printing is most commonly used for packaging, but also can be used for paper & plastic bags, newspapers and disposable cups. A flexo print is created using a negative of the required image as a three-dimensional relief in rubber or a polymer material on the printing roller. Ink is deposited onto this surface which then rotates to transfer the ink onto the print material. Flexo printing by its nature is flexible which is why it is suitable for packaging as the rollers flex with the corrugated card surface to be printed. Flexo inks have a low viscosity compared to litho inks and therefore drying times are much faster.

3. Digital Printing

Digital printing is a modern method of printing that covers anything from inkjets to laser printers. In this process print files are sent directly to the printer reducing the need for expensive printing plates. Unless high volumes are required, this process is a more cost-effective alternative to litho printing. This process is normally used for posters, signage, newsletters and menus.

4. Large Format Printing

Large format printing produces prints at the maximum roll width. For maximum impact this gives a much bigger print area than conventional digital printing. Rather than printing onto individual sheets, large format printing involves large rolls of paper fed into the machine. This method of printing is suitable for building wraps, billboards and banners.

5. Screen Printing

Screen printing is a print making technique that creates a sharp-edged image using a stencil. A screen is made of a porous material or mesh stretched over an aluminium frame. Areas of the screen are blocked off with a non-permeable stencil which is a positive of the image to be printed – i.e. the ink will appear in the open spaces. The screen is placed onto paper or fabric, ink is applied to the screen and a rubber squeegee is then used to push the ink evenly into the openings and onto the substrate. The screen can be re-used after cleaning or additional colours applied to the substrate via a new screen if required. Screen printing requires a lot of setting up, so it is more cost effective on bulk orders. It can be used to print images or logos onto promotional items or clothes, fabric banners and posters.

6. 3D Printing

With its introduction in the 1980’s, 3D printing has allowed three dimensional objects to be printed in various shapes and sizes. The objects are printed using data from an Additive Manufacturing File (AMF). Additive compound mixtures are then fused together to produce the final printed 3D object. 3D printers are now becoming increasingly more sophisticated allowing not only commercial printing to take place, but also domestic printers to print objects in the home. 3D printers are often used for promotional and marketing items, toys and engineering parts.

7. LED UV Printing

This process is becoming increasingly popular due to its high quality and quick turnaround times. LED UV printing is based on digital printing, the difference being that it uses UV lights to dry or cure the ink making the drying process almost instantaneous. It is also eco-friendly as it uses less energy than conventional printing methods. It has a wide range of uses from brochures and catalogues through to posters.

Hopefully this article gives you a good idea of the range of print methods that are available, what types of items or collateral these printing processes are best suited for, and whether they are best for short or long print runs.

 
Please note that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to any other group or individual. To ensure you are fully compliant with all current legislation, please take legal/professional advice and do not rely solely on the information provided in these articles.