Common types of printing and their particularities:
1. Offset printing:
• Offset printing is a printing method in which ink is transferred to a rubber cylinder from a metal plate, and then transferred to the printing surface, usually paper.
• It is ideal for high volume printing and offers high print quality and accurate color reproduction.
• It is widely used in the publishing industry, for printing magazines, newspapers, books and advertising materials.
2. Digital printing:
• Digital printing is a direct printing process from a digital file to a printing substrate, such as paper, cardboard, fabric, vinyl, among others.
• It is suitable for short or personalized runs, since it does not require the creation of printing plates as in offset printing.
• Enables rapid production and on-the-fly design changes, making it ideal for print-on-demand and product customization.
3. Screen printing:
• Screen printing, also known as serigraphy or silk-screen, is a printing method in which the ink is transferred through a mesh or screen stretched over a frame.
• It is ideal for printing on a variety of substrates, including textiles, plastics, metal, glass and wood.
• Allows high color saturation and the possibility of printing on irregular or three-dimensional surfaces.
4. Flexographic printing:
• Flexographic printing is a relief printing process in which a flexible plate is used to transfer ink to the printing surface.
• Commonly used to print on flexible packaging materials, such as aluminum foil, brown paper, plastic, and corrugated cardboard.
• It is suitable for large printing volumes and offers high production speed.
5. Lithographic printing:
• Lithographic printing is a printing method in which a lithographic stone or metal plate is used to transfer ink to the printing surface.
• It is similar to offset printing, but differs in the use of a lithographic stone instead of a metal plate.
• It is mainly used in art printing and limited edition works due to its laborious and expensive process.
These are just some of the most common types of printing, each with its own quirks and specific applications. Choosing the right printing method depends on factors such as substrate type, print volume, desired quality, and available budget.
