What Are The Different Types Of Printing And How To Effectively Use Them?
Printing is an integral part of business operations whether you like it or not. Even completely digital companies will occasionally need to print out materials. For instance, an online company setting up a counter at an expo or event still needs to print materials like flexes, brochures, Etc. Therefore, it is in your best interest to know more about the types of printing you can use for your business.
The types of printing methods you use for your business organisation can change depending on its specific goals. Although there are numerous printing methods, you only need a few in practical use.
But, what are the different types of printing methods you can use for your business, and how can you use them? Below we discuss the primary printing methods you need to know to meet the printing needs of your business and how you can optimise them.
5 Types Of Printing Methods
Printing has evolved so much over the years that it is practically impossible to try and name all of them. Several printing methods did not survive the test of time and evolved according to the changing times. Now, we primarily use 5 types of printing methods for making everything from books to marketing materials, which are as follows.
- Offset Lithography
- Flexography
- Digital Printing
- Screen Printing
- Embossing
Offset Lithography
It is one of the most common types of printing methods that we use today. Generally speaking, most business organisations (and others) use offset printing for rough-surfaced items. For instance, you can use offset printing on wood surfaces, which is rare for the other types of printing methods listed above.
You can also use offset printing on cloth and canvas. Despite having such versatility, offset printing is still standard for all regular print jobs, such as the mass production of paper products, including books. Even though other types of printing can accomplish the same thing, they can not replace offset printing.
The printing process involved in all 5 methods of printing is unique in its way. In offset printing, the image is placed on a metal plate and then transferred to rollers or rubber blankets. The paper passes through or between these blankets for printing the image.
Despite its long history and using the same old method for printing, offset lithography ensures a high-quality print. Even among the other 5 types of printing, offset lithography can ensure consistent colours and maintain clarity.
Flexography
It is one of the 5 methods of printing often used by business organisations. Flexography is specifically helpful in printing continuous or flowing patterns. Flexography and offset printing are similar because both are well-suited for printing on rough surfaces.
If that is the case, what is the difference between the two? You may wonder. For starters, flexography is typically useful when the printing involves large areas using solid colours. It is the specific part that flexography maintains alone and sets it apart from the other types of printing methods.
Among all the5 methods of printing, flexography is the perfect choice for creating large-format materials, including
- Wallpapers
- Giftwraps
- Food packages
- And more.
Some might even say that flexography is the modern-day letterpress printing operation. The modernisation part involves the use of wrapped cylinders that can rotate. It is also worth knowing that the wrapping used here is a photopolymer. After wrapping, the unit itself becomes the printing plate. It is also the aspect that makes flexography stand out from the other 5 types of printing methods.
Digital Printing
We are positive everyone reading this article has used or, at least, known about digital printing. For many business organisations, digital printing is their go-to method out of the 5 types of printing listed above.
You can use digital printing for pretty much every standard printing material you can think of, including
- Postcards
- Newsletters
- Brochures
- Menu
- And other print materials.
Digital printing itself has different types of printing methods in it. Two of the most popular digital printing processes are laser and inkjet printing. The printing process itself is simple and convenient. You open the digital image you want to print and transfer it directly to the printer, which automatically prints the same.
Chances are that you are already using one of the types of printing in your home or office. Digital printing does not require a printing plate, and the printing costs are relatively lower. This type of printing is ideal for printing customised materials and on-demand requirements.
Screen Printing
Screen printing is one of the 5 types of printing methods that are common today. There are two ways you can accomplish screen printing, which involve using stretched-out screens. You can either use a flat or a rotary screen for screen printing.
Typically, screen printing is the best choice among the 5 methods of printing to produce printed materials made of clothes. You can use it to print fabric banners or add your branding to promotional materials like T-shirts.
The most significant downside of screen printing is that it requires much preparation time. Due to the complexity of the process and the preparation time, it is best to use such types of printing methods for bulk or repeat printing items.
Screen printing is unique from the other types of printing because it uses a mesh screen. The screen printing process involves covering the mesh area with a resistant, such as wax. You can block all the screen openings using the resistance, excluding the design image.
After that, the ink is pushed along the screen’s surface and forced through the design area’s openings. It is worth noting that you can not apply ink on previously blocked portions by the resist. As you can see, these types of printing take more time to set up. Hence, it is best to leave such printing jobs to professionals.
Embossing
Embossing is one of the most popular types of printing methods in use today. As the same suggests, embossing type printing involves creating print designs featuring sunk or raised prints creating an embossing effect. One of the attractive aspects of embossed printing is the versatility of materials you can use.
Embossed printing is possible on varials materials, including paper and metal. It is particularly desirable on printed materials like postcards, making them significantly more attractive and loved by people. Business organisations use such types of printing because of their popularity among the masses or their ability to attract attention.
Embossing does not have different a wide range of sub-pockets. As you can see, these types of printing take settings up and need a professional touch.
- Engraving.
- 3D printing.
- Transfer printing.
- Large-format printing.
- Embroider printing.
Using any of the 5 types of printing you see above instead of embossing depends entirely on your goals. We could go on and on about the various other printing options for your business. But generally, you would only need any printing methods discussed above for your business organisation.
How Does Automation Help The Different Types Of Printing Methods?
Learning about the different types of printing is all good for a business organisation, but it is not always practical. Suppose your business does not already have a print and mail setup. In that case, it is best not to take this additional responsibility for your business.
The print and mail operation requires much investment, and we are not just talking about monetary investment. You would have to invest your time and effort into incorporating an additional process like printing. It only becomes more challenging if you have bulk mailing requirements, regardless of the types of printing methods you use.
The best way out of this is to employ an automated print and mail system like PostGrid. An advanced solution like PostGrid streamlines every aspect of your printing process without you having to lift a finger. It produces top-quality marketing materials for your business. The solution saves you the trouble of picking from the 5 types of printing methods.
Below are some ways PostGrid’s print and mail API can help your business organisation.
Minimise Operational Cost
One of the best advantages of using PostGrid’s direct mail automation software is that it can reduce operational costs. Automation can reduce the cost of operation for printing your marketing materials regardless of the types of printing method you want.
Reduce Clerical Overhead
No matter which of the 5 methods of printing you use, you will still need dedicated staff if you choose an in-house process. With PostGrid’s fully automated solution, you no longer need to worry about clerical overhead because you don’t need them. The whole process is automatic, and you don’t need human involvement in your printing process.
Adapt Advanced Technologies
Automating your print and mail operations enable you to adapt more advanced technologies that smoothen out your business operations. The types of printing methods you choose can also benefit from this and enhance their operational capabilities. For instance, PostGrid’s API can connect directly with your CRM solution to quickly personalise your marketing and communication materials.
Minimise Direct Mail Cost
PostGrid’s print and mail solution optimise your direct mail campaigns to a level you never thought possible. It means that things like figuring out what types of printing methods to use or finding the necessary postage are no longer a concern. PostGrid minimises the cost of printing and mailing marketing materials. The solution even allows you to access special discounts for bulk mailing.
Advantage Over Competition
Advanced tools like PostGrid for your different types of printing needs enable you to get the upper hand over your competitors. PostGrid allows your marketing materials to reach the target audience faster and more efficiently. Additionally, it provides you with advanced tracking and analytic features to optimise your marketing and communication efforts.
Get Automated Workflows
Automating the types of printing processes for your marketing and communication efforts can effectively automate your workflows. For instance, consider a billing process in a healthcare organisation.
You can use PostGrid’s HIPAA-compliant system to accurately and punctually send patient statements or bills to patients. You can then PostGrid to send payment reminders and medical collection letters to the patients. Similarly, you can use PostGrid for other types of printing needs, such as marketing.
PostGrid even offers scheduled and triggered mail capabilities, perfect for automating your workflows. Regardless of the types of printing requirements you have, automation can help you out.
Conclusion
There are different types of printing methods that a business organisation can use for its marketing and communication efforts. Understanding what goes behind the curtains is essential to optimise your various business operations.
However, when it comes to the 5 methods of printing, it is best not to involve yourself directly in the process. The ideal approach is to use automation for your printing needs. It allows you to optimise your printing and mailing operations.
You can use a solution like PostGrid to enhance the quality of your business’s marketing and communication efforts. It helps businesses reduce their print and mailing costs regardless of what types of printing methods it uses.
Hence, it is always best to use an automated solution like PostGrid to optimise your printing needs and ensure streamlined workflows.
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