Printing has come a long way since the days of the Gutenberg press. The trend has shifted from paintings on the cave walls to digitized printed products in modern society.
In the modern world there are various types of printing techniques and all of them have their unique features and applications. From simple screen printing to advanced digital printing methods, the possibilities for customization of apparel or shirts are endless.
If you are a business owner, who wants to design banners or a simple poster to advertise your business or an artist who wants to make their art come alive, you must be aware of the trending seven printing techniques of 2024.
So, what are these printing techniques, and how do they work? Let’s get into this blog post to explore more!
Types of Printing Techniques
Knowing the hottest printing technology is important to stay on trend. After a few seconds, I’m revealing the secret ruling types of printing techniques.
Let’s get printing!
Digital Printing
Digital printers are relatively new in the commercial market, but they are growing at a fast pace. It’s more like the Swiss Army knife of printing; effective, affordable, and diverse as they come.
For example, for printing on fabrics such as t-shirts, magnets, cards, wood, and plastics, this printing technology is the talk of the town.
The printer doesn’t need printing plates; the printing files can directly be printed on paper; thus useful for short runs, marketing materials, and at the last minute.
Think of those custom t-shirts or personalized calendars, because this technique is in your hand. Plus, it’s incredibly flexible to make changes if there’s any error in the digital design.
Screen Printing
Screen printing is all about those bold, vibrant colors. If you have custom t-shirts on your hand, chances are these have screen prints.
Remember! Screen printing is not limited to textiles; you can print on posters, labels, and other items (of wooden and metal) that require a high level of detail and color saturation.
It’s like a stenciling process where ink is pushed through a mesh screen onto the paper. This printing technique is highly versatile, but best suited for fewer colors due to the complexity of cost setting up for each screen.
Think of it as the artist’s choice for creating eye-catching designs and bulk orders (where you’ll use the same image for all items).
Offset Printing
Offset printing, known as offset lithography has been used for over a century and is still a powerhouse of the printing industry.
It works by transferring ink from a metal plate to a rubber blanket and then onto the paper. Each plate is specific for an image that needs to be printed.
This method is excellent for large volumes, such as newspapers, magazines, and brochures. It’s also suitable for printing textbooks.
The quality is consistently high and cost-effective for big print runs. Its speed and quality are what sets it apart from other types of printing techniques.
Flexography
Flexography is a form of relief printing, which means it prints from a raised surface. It’s the method of choice for packaging and labels.
Originally this printing technique was used to print cardboard and uneven surfaces. Now you can use it on other non-paper materials like plastics, metallic films, and cellophane.
It uses flexible printing plates and water-based inks, making it a sustainable option. Using photopolymer printing plates (rotating in a cylindrical form), produce text or images on the paper.
The quick-drying inks make it ideal for high-speed production, which is crucial for mass-produced items like food packaging. Flexo printing is highly efficient, especially for continuous patterns.
3D Printing
While not strictly a traditional printing technique, 3D printing has gained immense popularity in recent years. It opens up an opportunity box for product design, prototyping, and more.
A 3D printer reads a digital file such as an STL file and then builds an object layer by layer of material like ceramic or plastic.
The versatility of 3D printing is unmatched, allowing for the creation of complex, customized items that would be impossible with traditional manufacturing methods.
Generally, 3D printers are used for small toys, display objects, and promotional fun stuff.
Gravure Printing
Gravure is a high-quality printing method and is suitable for long-run high-volume printing. It works by using a copper cylinder which has the image to be printed engraved on it and then coated with the ink.
The surplus ink is wiped off while the ink in the engraving area is brought into contact with the paper. It is an effective way to achieve high levels of detail and is frequently utilized for luxury magazines, gift boxes, and wallpapers.
This printing technique also goes well for wide-format printing. From small labels to 12 ft rolls of vinyl flooring (vinyl banners and gift wraps), it can print everything.
However, it’s not the most cost-effective for short runs. But for the production of intaglio art, it’s the best solution.
Sublimation Printing
Sublimation printing machine is a popular choice for printing on materials like fabric, ceramics, and metals. It involves turning solid dye into gas without passing through a liquid stage, which allows the dye to embed itself into the material.
Because of chemical bonding requirements, this printing technique is only suitable for synthetic fabric like polyester. You can do custom apparel, flags, signage, and t-shirts.
The result? Vibrant, durable prints that won’t crack, peel, or fade. The upfront cost of sublimation printing may feel high but cost-effective in the long run.
Conclusion
You can see that the types of printing techniques are now more numerous than ever before. No matter if you need quick and quality prints or something special prints, there is a technique for every taste.
Next time you have a printing job, do not blindly fall for the first option that comes your way. Discuss what options are available to you and find the one that is more suitable for you.