Printing is a process for reproducing text and image, typically with ink on paper using a printing press. It is often carried out as a large-scale industrial process, and is an essential part of publishing and transaction printing.
Below is a very brief summary of the main types of Print.
What Type of Print Job do I need?
- Digital printing
- Offset printing
- Web-Offset printing
- Screen printing
Digital Printing – less than 500 quantitiy
This technique of printing does not use any film or plates to produce images, it makes use of digital imaging technology to provide high quality printing (similar to your desktop laser printer). This technique is apt for small printing jobs. This method of printing eliminates the various setting up costs required in other printing processes. It involves the reproduction of digital images on physical surfaces including paper, film, plastic, cloth etc.
- Good for: Small run Stationery, Leaflets etc
Traditional Offset Printing – 500+ quantitiy
Offset printing is a printing method used for accurate reproduction. Most brochure, folder and catalog work done in smaller quantities are printed using this method. The output is very high-quality. We recommend this for jobs over 500 in QTY. Once you get below that it is not really economical to run on this type of press. If you are getting a quote on Offset printing make sure you get the quote on a few different quantities. What you will find is that usually the cost does not increase that significantly when you go from say 500 to 1000. So the more you run the cheaper the cost per piece.
- Good for: Magazines, Annual Reports, Brochures, Stationery etc
Web-Offset Printing – very large jobs (Newspapers, Catalogues) 10,000+ quantitiy
If you print anything in large quantity you may need to go a Web Press to do it economically. Web printing is used for large runs of magazines, newspapers and catalogues/mailouts (ie: The Warehouse Weekly Catalogues). The paper is on a roll and runs through continuously rather than the sheet feed offset presses.
- Good for: Newspapers, Catalogues etc
Screen Printing
Screen printing is a process where ink is forced through a silk screen. This is often used on non flat goods. This is a popular method for large scale billboards and signage.
- Good for: Clothing, Mugs, Pens etc