For thousands of years, printing has been an integral part of human communication and has played a crucial role in showcasing creativity. From the primitive woodblock prints of ancient China to the high-tech digital printing techniques of today, printing has revolutionized how information, art, and ideas are shared and disseminated. Hence, the development and improvement of printing methods have played a vital role in tracing the progress and development of human civilization.
Throughout the years, a variety of printing methods have come into existence each with its own individual benefits and applications if you're looking to print a book, a poster, or a t-shirt, getting to know the different printing techniques and what makes them great can help you accomplish your desired outcome.
In this guide, we will look at some of the most used printing methods for different needs. Whether you want to print booklets, flyers, posters, billboards, or fine art images, you will find the
printing method relevant to your needs.
Digital printing
Digital printing maps out digital images into any surface you choose; it can be a mug, shirt, or bag. In this method, images will be sent for printing using digital files. This method does not need printing plates or transfer stickers, making it a more time and cost-efficient printing mode.
Types of Digital printing
Inkjet and Laser: From home to offices, these printers are found everywhere.
Solid Ink: It is used for huge-printing operations, such as for advertisements.
Digital Press: It prints huge volumes like brochures, leaflets, and business cards.
Dye sublimation digital printing: It prints images into surfaces like clothes and accessories.
Most common uses of digital printing:
Packaging
Print patterns, designs
To create high-quality photographic prints
Advertising
Flexography
Flexography is a printing method that uses flexible relief plates that are made out of photopolymer or rubber to print designs on various surfaces. This style of printing is used for printing in huge volumes.
Flexography is often used for:
Packagings such as juice cartons and disposable cups
Labels (e.g., chocolate wrappers)
Things that have a continuous pattern, like gift wrap.
Screen Printing
Screen printing has been around since the early 20th century and involves using a mesh to map images into another material. The first step will be to transfer the image you want to create into a mesh stretched over a frame. Next, the Ink is squeezed through the unblocked areas of the mesh and into the final material being printed on.
It is used for:
T-shirts
Banners and posters
Promotional materials
Rotogravure (Gravure)
Rotogravure is a printing method that produces high-quality prints at high speed. This method is suitable for creating intricate and fine images. In this printing method, the image will be etched into a copper cylinder that functions as an image carrier. It also uses a rotary printing press, like offset and flexography printing.
Rotogravure is one of the fastest and widest-used printing methods. From small labels to the 12-foot vinyl floor, they can print everything.
They are most commonly used for:
Packaging
Labels
Wallpapers
Banknotes
Magazines and catalogs
Lithographic (Offset) Printing
Lithographic printing, also known as Offset printing, is one of the most widely used printing methods for mass production. This process involves printing plates (usually aluminum) containing an image. This image will be inked and transferred from the plate to a rubber blanket and then to the surface.
In this printing process, the image will be first mapped from the plate to the rubber blanket, which is then used to transfer it to the printing surface.
Lithography is used for producing high-quality images for small and high-volume jobs. But, as this printing method consumes time and costs for setting up, the process is most suitable for small jobs.
They are most used for:
Books and magazines
Stationaries
Posters and banners
3D printing
3D printing is creating three-dimensional objects based on a digital model by building up layers of material. The 3D printer will read the digital design file and build layers until the object is formed.
Different types of 3D printing technologies use different processes to create 3D models.
These include:
Fused Deposition Modelling
Stereolithography
Selective laser Sintering
The method is Used for the following:
Display items
Toy figurines
Promotional and marketing freebies
Medical application
Customized products such as dental aligners
In the technology-driven world, you are blessed with unlimited printing options. So, choose the right printing method for your requirements for exceptional results.
