The process where an image is produced digitally
on a drum (like a laser printer) and then transferred onto paper
using toner.
Engraving -
A process where text or images are etched onto a metal or wooden
plate. When ink is applied, the etched areas hold the ink. When
paper is pressed against the die, the ink is lifted out of the
etched areas. This creates raised images on the paper. This
process is used to create fine stationery.
Flexography -
Printing plates are made from flexible rubber
are stretched around a drum on the press. Flexography is usually
used for very high-speed applications such as packaging (e.g.,
cartons, as well as cans, bottles and other curved items).
Gravure - This process puts
ink from a printing plate directly onto the paper. It is used
mostly for very high-volume runs of magazines and catalogs.
Offset Lithography
- In offset lithography (or printing), ink is not applied
directly from the printing plate to the paper. Instead, the ink is applied
to the printing plate to form the "image" of the text
or graphics to be printed. It is then transferred to a
rubber blanket. The image on this blanket is then transferred
to the paper which results in the finished product. This process
is most cost-effective for small to medium volume runs (up
to 1,000,000 pages).
Screen -
This process is mostly used for printing text and images on T-shirts and
billboards. A screen is made of a piece of porous, finely woven fabric
like polyester or nylon stretched over a solid frame.
In order to keep ink off of certain parts of the screen, a
stencil is used to block the flow of ink onto the cloth or paper. The screen
(and accompanying stencil) is placed on top of a
piece of dry paper or cloth. Ink is placed on top of the screen, and a rubber blade pushes the ink
through the screen openings and onto the paper or cloth. The screen is
then removed and
cleaned and can be re-used again and again. If more than one color is required, the
process is repeated with another screen, stencil, and different color ink.
Thermography -
This process simulates engraving. A
slow-drying ink is applied to paper and while the ink is wet,
gets dusted with a resin powder. The paper is then heated to
melt the powder which then fuses with the ink. The result is a
raised printed surface.
Type Composition -
How type is arranged on a page.
