The conventional definition of printing mainly refers to the reproduction of texts and images, typically with ink on paper with the use of a printing press. The concept facilitates printing on various surfaces, ranging from paper and metal to plastics and fabric. Different techniques are employed for printing on the different substrates. The ink used may also differ from surface to surface.
The ink that is used greatly influences the cost of printing. Water-based and oil-based inks were the first types of ink used in the traditional printing processes. However, today, hybrid inks have been developed, which offer a more cost-effective solution to all printing needs.
The right printing technique should be chosen, as it not only affects the cost of printing, but also the final output. The main types of printing include flexography, gravure, screen-printing, lithography, and digital printing. Flexography is ideal for long printings, where as the gravure method proves very economical for newspaper printing. On the other hand, screen-printing proves very economical for printing on different fabrics, and for making banners. The lithography method is considered to be the most economical for commercial printing, whereas digital printing can be used for color jobs, though not suitable for mass production.
Although printing can be done on a variety of surfaces, printing paper is the most extensively used option, and is available in various qualities. The qualities in printing paper are available in different cost ranges and finishes, which can be used for various purposes. Thus, it is necessary to choose the right quality of paper to achieve the best output at an economical cost. As a paper used for printing brochures is not suitable for handbills, it will not be economical.
The purpose of the printing job should be carefully analyzed before selecting the print method. The cost-effectiveness of the process should be evaluated to get the best value for the money and the optimum print quality as output.
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Color Printing
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Color printing furnishes reproduction of images and text in color, which cannot be produced in monochrome printing processes. The technique is also referred to as four-color process printing when only CMYK, i.e., cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are used while printing. Six-color process printing is...
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Commercial Lithographic Printing
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Commercial printing of artwork on a smooth surface is known as lithography. It is widely used to print text on paper or any other material. The long, intricate process of lithography involves using an entire print block to come in contact with the sheet of...
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Digital Printing
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The techniques of printing have evolved constantly ever since Gutenberg invented the first printing press in the 15th century. Over the years, several new methods of printing have evolved. Digital printing as a printing technology has revolutionized printing concepts and has become the most popular...
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Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Printing
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The words that we see on paper or, for that matter, on many other media such as plastic, glass, wood or as embossed on visiting cards, is a technique made possible due to the art of printing. It is a form of technology that is...
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Screen Printing
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Commercial screen printing technology involves the production of a multitude of alphabets at a quick pace. Though one may note, even common articles of daily use make use of a printing application in some form or the other. Screen printing is suited for bold and...
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A Guide to Brochure Printing
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Brochure printing can be easy if you first identify your needs and have a clear sense of your budget. Whether it is for is a real estate listing, a trade show handout, a data sheet, or another application, brochures are a great promotional tool. Start...
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Digital Printing Companies
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Digital printing companies provide high impact digital printing solutions. These companies have replaced older conventional printers and have improved the printing and quality of prints. Digital printing technology has ushered in an era of its own. Today, a number of commercial digital printing companies flourish...
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Online Digital Photo Printing
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Finding a Brochure Printing Company
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Poster Printing
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The success of any product is greatly determined by the advertising campaign. Moreover, advertising is a crucial weapon to influence customer psychology. Advertising campaigns involve the use of many medias, posters being one of the most important. Posters located in strategic locations can do wonders...