GRC 101 Sample Book
Sec on 5 Prin ng Processes & Techniques Prin ng Classifica on: SOURCES: invita ons, business cards, numbering. Relief Prin ng LETTERPRESS
Using metal type with ink applied to the raised surface, le erpress pushes into the substrate and creates an debossed look to it: “it puts a bite into the paper.” But its prin ng, because it uses ink.
Some numbering jobs like the double business card to the le uses a numbering device (right) that advances with each impression. SOURCES: Food packages, like plas c wraps Prin ng Classifica on: and bags, bo le labels and cardboard boxes. Relief Prin ng FLEXOGRAPHY Essen ally a modern version of le erpress (using rubber instead of metal), it is used for prin ng on almost any type of substrate, including plas c, metallic films, cellophane, and paper. Used for prin ng on non-porous substrates required for various types of food packaging (well suited for prin ng large areas of solid color). Best way to iden fy: look for “halos” at the edges of the type. SOURCES: newspapers, magazines, Prin ng Classifica on: brochures, sta onery, and books. Planographic Prin ng OFFSET LITHOGRAPHY Most prin ng is done with this process; it is found everywhere. Compared to other prin ng methods, offset prin ng is best suited for cost- effec vely producing large volumes of high quality prints in an economically sound manner. If you look real close at offset, you will see the pa erns created by the CMYK hal one dots. SOURCES: bo les; plas c containers; promo onal give- Prin ng Classifica on: aways like pens, golf balls, cups; manufactured parts like Planographic Prin ng keyboards and faceplates. PAD PRINTING Any non-flat surface that needs to be imprinted is a candidate for pad prin ng. When ink needs to be prin ng directly onto an object (not onto a label that is later applied to the objects, then pad prin ng is the way to go. Prin ng Classifica on: Intaglio Prin ng ENGRAVING or ROTOGRAVURE Close-up views of the edges of images looked scalloped (lower le ); you cannot have straights lines with rotogravure. This process is great for long runs, so currency, stamps and some publica ons (like the Sunday newspaper’s PARADE magazine insert) To the touch, there is a feel of the ink as it is slightly raised on the surface of the paper. Can also print on thin film such as polyester, OPP, nylon, and PE.
Engraving is the process of preparing the plates. Lines and dots are created by hand or chemicals to etch into the plate. SOURCES: Currency, stamps, high quality wedding invita ons, some large-run publica ons. Prin ng Classifica on: Porous Prin ng SCREEN PRINTING This methods can be used to print on tex les, ceramics, wood, paper, glass, metal, and plas c. The images created with the common plas sol ink usually are raised as the inks are thick like paint and cured with heat. But water-based inks can be used for more penetrable substrates.
SOURCES: balloons, clothing, decals, signs, displays, snowboard graphics, tex le fabrics, circuit boards. Prin ng Classifica on: SOURCES: flyers, rou ne business documents Digital (Electronic-based) LASER PRINTING or XEROGRAPHY
Images (like the extreme close-up of black line to the right shows) have very clean edges
Below is a closeup of color laser printer output.
Above is a typical example of a B&W xerographic job and to the le one on a color laser printer. SOURCES: banners, large output, high-resolu on Prin ng Classifica on: photos & artwork Digital (Electronic-based) INK JET Close scru ny of an ink jet output shows randomized dot pa erns. Professional wide-format ink-jet printers can print on thicker materials like canvas and heavy art paper.
High-quality, large prints on canvas are Close scru ny of an ink jet reproduced with inkjet printers. Giclée and Iris prints are two different names for high- output below shows end output that uses this technology. randomized dot pa erns. SOURCES: ID photo cards, instant photography, Prin ng Classifica on: T-shirts, banners, sportswear, hats, flags Digital (Electronic-based) DYE SUBLIMATION
Produces photographic quality images directly onto special paper or on heat- resistant transfer paper that can be transferred to polyester materials.
Close-up of a dye- sub image printed on fabric is photographic quality. Prin ng Classifica on: Digital (Electronic-based) SOLID INK PRINTING Solid ink technology u lizes solid ink s cks in lieu of the fluid ink or toner powder usually used in printers. The images are vibrant and waxy to the touch. They also are thick on the surface of the substrate. A er the ink s ck is loaded into the prin ng device, it is melted and used to produce images on paper in a process similar to offset prin ng.
SOURCES: Personalized mass marke ng pieces (e.g. Prin ng Classifica on: postcards, brochures) Digital (Electronic-based) VARIABLE DATA PRINTING VDP comes in two forms: 1) variable data is imbedded in each impression (image), like the reversed type in the images below; 2) variable data is overprinted onto a previously printed master piece, like those to the right (usually it is only black ink) printed on top of a job that only has sta c informa on (common to all copies of the print run). SOURCES: Jobs printed on thick stock requiring a Prin ng Classifica on: highly glossy or other protec ve surface. Digital (Electronic-based) UV PRINTING UV coa ngs can be printed on areas of the image (spot) or over the en re job (flood).
Spot UV varnish above; flood UV coa ng right.