What are the Different Types of Professional Printing Services

If you drop by FedEx/Kinkos Photo or Target Photo, you’ll see that they offer different types of printing services, and they’re not the only ones. Indeed, printing services and technologies have improved to the point companies can offer a variety of printing styles and options. While having plenty of alternatives is always a good thing, it can be confusing, so here’s a guide to the most popular printing services available today.

Digital Printing

Digital printing is still new but it’s gaining a lot of adherents and followers because it is efficient, reliable and cost effective. Digital prints don’t use plates or film and instead uses a digital file to print the image. Because of the way digital printing works, it is eco-friendly, affordable and fast. If you’re in need of prints quickly and have to beat a deadline, digital printing is ideal.

Electrostatic Printing

Electrostatic printing is akin to photocopying in that color is attached to a drum and attached to paper by heating. Like digital printing, electrostatic printing is very fast and suitable for short printing runs that need high quality output.

Offset Lithography

One of the most popular printing services today, offset lithography uses ink to print on different types of materials. Because offset lithography is very economical, it is used in virtually all printing on paper, brochures, magazines and newspapers. The same process is used to print the covers on CD jewel cases and cardboard packages.

The Letterpress / Flexography

The letterpress method goes back to the 15^th century whereby an image on a plate is raised up off the surface, a process that is also known as “relief”. However, the traditional letterpress method is no longer used and has been replaced by flexography. Not all printing services offer this option so you might need a more specialized company to serve you.

Silk Screening

Silk screening has evolved through the years, but the basic process hasn’t changed as it still forces ink to pass a screen. This printing technique is often used on billboards, ring binders, bumper stickers mugs and apparel and other items. Also known as screen printing, this method has been used for centuries, but technological innovations has made the process more efficient.

Gravure Printing

Gravure is a high end printing technique that involves direct contact between an engraved copper plate and paper. Gravure printing is more expensive than other printing methods because the copper plate is costly: that being said, it’s a very effective method for printing high quality and large volume materials. Apart from magazines and special flyers, gravure is ideal for printing mail order catalogues and annual reports.

The answer depends entirely on your requirements. If you want an economical service that still offers good quality, offset lithography will do nicely, but if you want the highest quality possible, Gravure printing is the best option. If you only need to make a few runs and have to meet a deadline, digital printing is the way to go. Again, it all comes down to what you need.