Types of printing processes

Posted by machine dealer on February 3rd, 2017

Back in the time of Mr. Guttenberg, who is actually credited for the invention of the printing press, printing was something entirely new and meticulous. But thanks to technology, the advancement of which, has made printing processes not only easier but also quicker. Since much of the scholastic and official tasks still require printed documents, it has kept printing processes very much in business.
Mentioned below are some of the popular types of printing processes that are in use today:

Digital printing

It simply refers to a printing process that produces digitally based images. Though the cost per page of digital printing is high, it has other advantages. Besides high quality images, it comes with opportunities to save time, labor, and technical set up for printing plates.

Letterpress

This printing process brings into use raised and inked surfaces, placed against rolls of paper, and a relief printing technique. This primitive form of printing has been resurrected in the form of photo-etched zinc plates, wood engravings, and linoleum blocks.

Offset printing

Generally, an offset printing technique offsets an inked image on a rubber sheet and then finally on the printing surface. It is also known as offset lithography, as it is also used in combination with the lithographic process. While Komori printing machines are popular web fed offset processes, Heidelberg SM74 makes for a good sheet-fed offset printing press as well.

Electrostatic printing

Instead of any ink or plate, this process makes use of thin layers of zinc oxide, which act as insulators in the dark and conductors in the presence of light. Mostly used for the production of geographic maps, the recent usage of electrostatic printing for books is also seen.

It is mostly due to the technological advancements that better processes are boosting the work system these days.