Depending on the material to be printed on and the quantity, there are different printing methods. Each type of printing has its own particularity and must be carried out by professionals in the field. From the material to choose to the printing to put, there is a specific procedure for each printing model. The goal is to obtain a durable and aesthetic result.
The offset printing
Offset printing is part of what is called traditional printing. It is the best-known and most used when it comes to printing huge quantities of documents. We are talking about thousands of copies to print. It is mainly used on paper but can also be suitable for other materials. One can thus find the impression on a plate made by a specialist.
It is a more expensive process but more effective and fast in terms of print quality and drying. It is much more used in the press for the printing of newspapers. Commercially, this printing is also used for packaging, flyers, labels, etc.
Printing on paper
This technique of impression is close to the offset with the difference that it is used on more reduced quantities. We can speak here about digital printing in small format or reprography. It is even possible with this type of printing to personalize its document.
Digital printing is also used for professional engraving on other materials such as aluminum, glass, etc. We are talking about large-format digital printing, which covers a variety of supports. Basically, digital printing offers great flexibility and time savings. It emphasizes the details and offers a quality rendering.
Printing on textiles
In recent years, advertising objects or goodies have moved from accessories to clothing and other textile accessories. For fabric and generally polyester, sublimation printing is used. It offers excellent quality with bright colors and perfectly uniform shades. Companies use it for communication needs.
In addition to sublimation, inkjet printing and screen printing are also used to print on textiles. It is a print that is imperceptible to the fingers and resists washing. It also maintains the integrity of the fabric. The print is first passed over a heated paper. It is then hot-sprayed on the textile to be printed.
Other examples of printing
There is a multitude of printing techniques. Each technique is selected according to the needs and to achieve the best quality.
Screen printing
This is a type of printing that covers a wide range of media. From textiles to advertising panels, it is compatible with many materials. It is a technique adapted to the packaging since it allows uniform impressions in important quantities. It is nevertheless not very effective for different impressions and in small quantities.
Its main advantage lies in the fact that it offers renderings impossible to obtain by other types of printing. It is, among others, the use of particular inks (silver, fluo, gilded, etc.), but also varnish. It is also a very economical printing with remarkable quality.
Laser printing
It is printed with more fineness and better quality. It is done with specific printers and is quite expensive. However, it is a printing that has the merit of being very fast and is economical in the long term.
3D printing
A bit like a photocopier, this printing offers an identical reproduction. The difference is that this type of printing allows you to obtain objects from various materials. It can be prototypes, spare parts, food, etc. It literally manufactures the requested object from precise information and several techniques.
Inkjet printing
In terms of colors, it is the printing that offers a quasi-conformed return. It is a very widespread type of impression and is appropriate for many supports.
The specific impressions
Other sub-genres of impressions also exist. They are generally adapted to specific matters and offer a type of well-defined return. They are, for the most part, prints that require and bring important precision. We find there, among others:
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- Flexography
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- Pad printing
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- The heliogravure
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- Thermal printing
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- Embroidery
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- Letterpress, etc.
Final thoughts
It will be up to you to proceed to the consequent choice, which will adapt to your needs. Sound off in the comments section below, and tell us what you want to read next and if you want to read more about printing.
