- Small batches of printed copies
If you need to print only a small batch of copies, desktop printers, both inkjet and laser, are a good choice. Inkjet printers are used at home or in small offices, while color laser printers are more likely to be used in companies.
Depending on your printing needs, you can also use digital printing. This type of printing has the advantage that the text and graphics are sent directly from the computer desktop to the press.
Digital printing is very useful for four-color jobs that are short-run (less than 5000 copies) and need to be ready in a short period of time. The disadvantage is however that you don't have a very large choice of color and paper type.
Desktop Inkjet and laser printers can be used for proofing text and general layout, but the color proofing may not be very precise.
If you need more sophisticated proofing, you can choose dye-sublimation printers. This is a form of digital printing using high heat and solid dyes and produces photo lab-quality images.
Dye-sublimation printers are usually preferred by graphic designers and by some businesses who want to produce the best possible color materials in-house.
High-resolution color digital proofs can also be obtained using color lasers.
- Books, Newsletters, Brochures, Leaflets
Offset lithography is one of the most popular printing methods. The method is used to print any variety of textured materials and has the advantage of using ink economically and of setting up the press in little time.
For glossy magazines and brochures with spot color or full color photographs the most suitable method is offset printing.
If you need to print only a small number of copies, another lower-cost option for black and white or color projects is Xerox Docutech digital printing, which offers a quality similar to high-quality laser printing.
- Business Cards, Letterheads
Besides offset printing, another method to obtain fine letterheads is engraving. This type of printing creates very sharp images that feel intended when you touch the back of the sheet.
A cost-effective alternative to engraving is thermography- a print finishing process that produces a raised image. The process consists in dusting a printed image with a powder before the ink gets dry. Due to the heat, the powder and the ink blend and form a raised image.
If you want to print envelopes and labels in large quantities or at high quality, you can choose between offset litho, flexographic printing and gravure printing.
Flexography is the process used to print packaging materials such as plastic bags, gift wrap or can and bottle labels. The press used has rubber plates with printed areas raised in relief.
Gravure printing is another method used for labels and packaging. The technique uses direct contact between an etched copper plate and the paper.
Although expensive, gravure printing is the best choice when you want to print high quality, large volume materials such as brochures, magazines, annual reports and mail order catalogues.
- Paper, Plastic, or Foil Packaging
If you need to print paper and plastic bags, milk cartons, candy wrappers and other similar items, you can successfully use either flexography or gravure printing.
- Signs, Posters, Fine Art Prints
To make sure you'll get the best quality for your materials, use screen or silkscreen printing, very popular for t-shirts. The process consists in forcing ink through a screen, like a stencil pattern. It is largely used for a variety of items such as signs, posters, CDs, bumper stickers, billboards, mugs or clothing.
You can also choose the offset printing method or various digital ink-based printing methods, including inkjet.
We hope that this overview will help you chose the best printing option for your advertising materials.
