The printing business is possibly one of the oldest creative businesses. You would be surprised to know that there are different types of printing methods available. Whether you intend to start your press or want to gather information about the printing techniques – the 8 major types of printing or embossing are still trendy. You will also need a solid toner cartridge supplier.
Here is the brief of the various processes which are contemporary for printing on order business. Once you read and get an idea, it would be easier to make an informed decision. It helps install your press or when you are ordering online. The printing technique would also speak a lot about the results, material options, and pricing.
There are majorly 8 types of printing techniques
- Digital printing: It is a process when you transfer the digital images to the final product – cloth, acrylic, magnet, cardboard, or ceramics. It is one of the most common and widely preferred printing techniques in industrial printing. It is also suitable for desktop size printers and, therefore, ideal for smaller print on demand businesses. The choice of colors is large, and this is also an advantageous point for customized designs. You only require web-to-print software to create a blend of various shades to match the pattern. The primary requirement for digital printing is a high-resolution image of 300dpi.
- Screen printing: It is one of the oldest techniques of printing. You can use a lot of colors and shades for printing on any material. It is ideal for printing large size posters and promotional items. Earlier, screen printing was only possible on silk materials. However, now with advanced printing technology, you can use this method for several materials – cloth, cardboard, sheets, and woolen material. The design or pattern goes on top of the screen. Picture emulsion covers the entire image, finally leave the image to sun exposure. The heat helps in the hardening of the emulsion, and the extra emulsion is unwanted and gently leaves a stencil structure.
- Flexography printing: A web press technology makes flexographic printing. The printing technique uses long and continuous sheets of paper. It is very different from offset printing, and there are no standard plates. Water-based inks with rubber plates are the tools of flexographic printing. The drying time is faster, and therefore, this increases the production quantity. Since the drying time is very little, you can also use this printing technique on plastic surfaces.
- Litho printing: Litho is also one of the oldest printing techniques. It is very similar to digital printing that enables full-color prints on various surfaces and materials. You have the liberty of choosing more than 100+ shades of just one color. It allows the designer to create different patterns because of the color range. You can go for a multi-print run with the highest resolution results. The only requirement is the image quality. You must use images that are more than 300dpi to get high-tech products. Any image which is lower than that would give very mediocre results.
- Transfer printing: As the name suggests, when printing is a two-step transfer. Image transfers from an uneven wonky surface and then printed to any product. This type of printing is ideal for porcelain products. Some of the apparel designs are also suitable for this process. You would require full digital images with high resolution, either on vector or bitmap.
- Engraving: Engraving is the perfect printing process for exclusive materials. The process is costly and requires more time than other methods. For printing business cards and special invitations – engraving is ideal. The procedure involves engraving images by hand or through the machine on the metal plates. Later, the designs on engraving use ink and paper press to get amazing prints. You can get incredible three-dimensional images on any surface. The results are splendid and impossible through other techniques.
- Embossing: When a process involves leaving an impression of designs on any surface, it is embossing. A certain amount of pressure leaves the imprints. The results from this process are beautiful as it adds a texture to the complete result. There are two types of embossing: Blind embossing and Foil block embossing.
- Embroidery printing: When an exquisite artwork through needles and thread results in a beautiful print like the result, then it is Embroider. A special machine carries this process on apparel and soft materials. It is trendy for promotional merchandise. You get great designs and patterns on hoodies, shirts, jumpers, hats, caps, gloves, and anything which involves fabric. With embroidery printing, it is better to stick to specific prime colors. Experiment with different shades makes the product very shabby.
- Direct-to-Film printing: It is an innovative technique that allows for high-quality image transfers onto textiles and various surfaces. Unlike traditional methods, DTF printing bypasses the need for screens or heat transfer paper by directly applying ink onto a specialized film. This technique uses a Prestige DTF printer, renowned for its precision and color vibrancy, making it a preferred choice for businesses seeking vibrant and durable print solutions.
E-commerce businesses have great options to choose from, and you need to get the right tools and machinery. All the best! Make a smart choice of process for printing before deciding the press.
