Priniting Processes
Digital - Offset - Flexographic - UV flexographic - Hot foiling - Cold foiling - Silkscreening - Varnish - Laminating - Die Cutting - Corona treatment
Digital printing:
This printing method provides the ultimate in graphic reproduction and is printed straight from computer to machine without using any plates. Suited to all substrates and materials, this process is ideal for quick turnaround and small runs.
Offset printing:
Designed for larger print runs, this method offers high quality resolution with low cost origination.
Flexographic printing:
Mostly used for line work and large runs, flexographic printing is generally used for utility labels containing 1, 2 or 3 colours, as opposed to sophisticated graphics with high resolution.
UV flexographic printing:
This method offers the fastest production of full colour labels. Origination costs are relatively high - so the process is best suited to larger production volumes.
Hot foiling:
The transfer of foils onto substrates to give the finish of gold or silver.
Cold foiling:
Designed for longer runs of foiling, this method runs at a higher speed than hot foiling, though it does not produce as sharp an edge.
Silkscreening:
Used to convert a large amount of ink into a sharp-edged image onto a substrate, this process is also used in the printing of Braille.
Varnish:
Available in either a matte or gloss finish, varnish is applied to a label in order to protect and shield the graphics from chemicals, water and scuffing. Varnish can also be used to highlight focal areas of a label.
Laminating:
An alternative to varnish – lamination comes in varying thicknesses and materials to suit any type of product and is also available in a matte or gloss finish.
Die cutting:
The process involving the cutting of the shape of a label. This process is mostly applied to self-adhesive labels.
The treatment of substrates or materials to allow printing to take place on low-cost and difficult materials.
