Mainly suited to small runs, digital printing comes in two main techniques
Digital inkjet printing, in which an inkjet is projected onto the paper via an electromagnetic charge. While the cost of purchasing the printer remains affordable, cartridges last less than toner from laser printers, which could ultimately become more expensive. This is the reason why you will avoid this technique for large series.
Digital laser or graphic printing, which relies on the use of powdered ink (toner) applied by static electricity. We like the quality and speed of printing here despite a higher purchase cost and a little more complex maintenance. Best for large prints, text, and graphics.
Most
· Ease of use.
· Quick charge.
· Flexible design.
· Good resolution.
· Economical cost for small runs.
· Reduced paper waste thanks to continuous flow.
In addition to a reduction in paper waste, we also appreciate the reduction in chemical waste made possible by this printing technique. And since ecology is a central issue for today's printing, we will rely on cardboard casing for the lowest possible impact! Discover now the range of ecological packaging SM Custom Packaging.
The lesser
· Low printing speed.
· High purchase cost of inks.
· Limited deinking capacity.
You will not hesitate to apply a varnish at the end of printing for a clean result and optimal color retention!
Offset Printing of Packaging
If it tells you anything, it's just that it's the most widely used printing technique in the world.
Based on a water repellency process, it reproduces the document or pattern to be printed on an engraved metal plate. The plate will be passed against a cylinder covered with rubber (the blanket) in order to transfer the ink to the support.
Offset Printing of Packaging
The number of plates used will depend on the number of colors desired. Generally, it is the four-color printing that wins all the votes. This works with 4 basic colors, cyan, magenta, yellow and black.
The transfer will be reproduced several times in order to superimpose the layers of ink and obtain the desired result.
Each printing technique has its own specific functions and it will be particularly suitable for large prints. However, it will not allow modification along the way as with digital printing for example.
Most
· Good resolution.
· High production speed.
· Possibility of printing on paper of different grammage for a high-end rendering.
· Good aptitude for deinking.
The Lesser
· Variable cost depending on the inks and plates to be replaced.
· Relatively slow drying by oxide polymerization.
· Solvent-based inks.
Flexographic Packaging Printing
Suitable for: Custom packaging, labels, newspapers. Ideal for polyethylene film, paper, corrugated cardboard, and boxboard
Flexography, or flexor for close friends, is a printing technique based on a flexible printing form in relief. Similar to offset in many ways, the image is here affixed to the support via a cylinder or a photopolymer plate whose dimensions can reach 1.30 ax 2.00 m as well as a thickness of 0.76 more than 6 mm.
The print quality depends on the fineness of the cliché.
Flexographic Printing
Generally not recommended for large runs, flexography generally adapts to all types of media and all color needs. This is what today offers it great flexibility of use and allows it to have a much wider range of inks than that of other printing techniques (oil-based ink, oil-based ink).
What to forget is the sometimes complex realization of the photographs which require a very important material: exhibition frame, engraver, dryer, processing unit.
Flexography is the fastest-growing printing technique today. To be continued!
Most
· High production speed.
· Low production cost.
· Possibility of in-line shaping.
The lesser
· Difficulty reproducing semitones.
· Long preparation of the plates.
· Long drying due to water ink.
· Limited deinking capacity.
Similar to the stencil technique, screen printing involves the use of polyester fabric or metal fiber canvas placed on a wooden frame called a screen printing frame. The ink will be applied to it using a squeegee, color after color.
The result will be reliable and durable
A very interesting process because it is suitable for many formats and materials, but it will not make it possible to obtain a result as fine as with digital or offset pressure for example.
The lesser
· Lack of finesse in the rendering of colors.
· Higher cost beyond the 1500 copies due to the slowness of the print run.
Rotogravure Packaging Printing
Invented in the 1820s, it is the gravure or rotogravure that brings up the rear of our tour of today's printing techniques. Here, the metal cylinder which will allow the ink to be transferred to the support is debussed, unlike the offset which is based on elements in relief.
Rotogravure Printing
The inks used, very liquid will fill the cells of the cylinder before being affixed to the support to print the chosen pattern. It is the depth of these cells that will determine the intensity of the color rendering.
Rather recommended for very large prints due to sometimes long drying, this printing technique guarantees exceptional rendering of your images, without deterioration of the colors or of the fineness of the rendering even in the event of a long series.
Think about the specifics of your product and the quantities you will need for your next campaign!
Most
· Richness of colors.
· Quality of reproduction of photos.
· The lesser
· Difficult corrections.
· Cost of copper cylinders used.
· Enhancement techniques
Want to go a little further in personalization? Nothing like a special touch or a small hint of relief to give an almost 3D effect to your packaging or your labels.
Here Again, You Are Spoiled For Choice
Will it be more of a film coating? This is a thin plastic film applied to all of your packagings to provide optimal protection. Offered in mat, soft-touch, shiny, or sometimes embossed to give relief, the visual effect is most impactful.
To put only a few elements of your packaging forward, you will opt for a silkscreen varnish. Apply it over text or artwork for a nice glossy or matte effect that will help make them stand out from the set.
Gilding on a Cardboard Surface
Invented in 1440, hot stamping has found its letters of nobility in luxury packaging and high-end boxes. The shiny effect elegantly evokes the carefully cast gold in the traditional hot foil stamping. It is available today in a multitude of different colors such as black, copper, or silver.
As for the embossing, this is about exerting a strong pressure under the paper to create a particular relief while the micro folding is to embed part or your entire box in order to create a unique effect under the fingers.
All that remains is to determine which printing and embossing techniques are best suited to your project! Do not hesitate to call on the SM Custom Packaging team, we will be happy to provide you with our advice and expertise. we have custom packaging for small business.
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