5 Types of Printing Services You Need to Know

5 Types of Printing Services You Need to Know

Printing has evolved over the decades, today we are experiencing a completely new set of different techniques, and each type is used for different applications. Not familiar with printing and the technology behind it? Here are 5 types of printing services you should know.

1.Digital Printing

Digital printing is a modern printing method that offers high quality prints and quick turnaround time. It works by digitally transferring images to be printed onto the surface of the substrate. No setup process is required neither is the changing of printing plates necessary, making digital printing an energy and cost-effective type of printing. In addition, the fast digital printing technique where ink and toner only settles on the substrate’s surface ensure less paper and chemical waste.

There are two main techniques used in fast digital printing; inkjet and laser printing.

• Inkjet printing ensures ink is applied onto the substrate’s surface and is commonly used for short printing runs, posters and signage.
• Laser printing or xerographic printing is the other technique used in digital printing industry and often used on short printing of books, brochures, labels, newsletter and other personal documents. In this process, ink is transferred on the heated substrate’s surface using a high-speed laser.

2.3D Printing

3D printing technology was first developed in the 80’s and wasn’t widely embraced, until the last few years. This technique prints a three-dimensional object generated from a computer-aided design (CAD). First, different compounds are mixed together to form a mixture that is applied layer-by-layer to form a complete printed object or structure.

This type of printing process has improved greatly and now even considered feasible for industrial printing needs. The main advantage of 3D printing is that more structures that are complicated can be constructed taking advantage of the advance printing technology.

3.Offset Printing

This is another popular and common printing method, which is suitable for high volume print runs of books, magazines, newspaper, and brochures. Also called as offset lithography, this type of printing offers the best quality print works off all the printing services. And unlike fast digital printing, offset printing uses plates to transfer text and image on the surface of the substrate.

In offset printing, the ink or tonner adheres to the spaces where text and images are on the printing plate while the water sticks on the spaces with no text or images. Aluminum plates are commonly used in this technique and it where the images are transferred to first, then onto the rollers, and later onto the substrate’s surface. Offset printing can be used on different applications to produce high-quality prints such as canvas and papers. The method is commonly used in brochure printing, labels, magazines, newspaper, e.t.c

4.Screen Printing

Also known as silk screening, this method is a great choice for all forms of print reproduction, especially printing of fine arts. During printing, the ink is transferred to a base that is mesh-like, the tiny holes then transfer ink on the substrate’s surface. The use of blocking stencil blocks ink from reaching certain areas of on the surface of the substrate.

Screen printing is more commonly used on various materials such as canvas, paper, plastic, fabric, metal and glass. Some screen-printed items can include shirts, mugs and billboards. Unlike other forms of printing, this technique requires proper setup to ensure best results, and it also labor and cost intensive, making it not suitable for short printing runs.

5.Flexography

Ever wondered how those prints got on your plastic and grocery bags? Well, flexography is the type of printing behind that. Among the printing processes. It is the fastest growing and this is because of its versatility when it comes to printing on different bases like papers, cardboards, plastics, and metallic films. In addition to printing plastic and shopping bags, flexography printing can also be used in the printing of wallpapers, gift papers, magazines, newspaper, e.t.c. In flexography printing, the plates are wrapped around rotating cylindrical structures that help transfer the ink onto the substrate at a high speed.

Now with the knowledge on the different types of printing, you can make informed decision on which is the best depending on your preferences. Your options ranges from offset type of printing to fast digital printing services like the laser printing.