PRINT INDUSTRYBY JOSH BROWN

Main Print Sectors

Hand• Etching• Linocut• Screen print• Woodcut• Lithography

Mechanical• Letterpress• Gravure• Screen process

Digital• Photocopying• Laser print• Inkjet• Desktop Publishing

The main printing techniques are screen printing, block printing and photocopying. Letterpress, lithography, flexography, and gravure printing are used in commercial manufacturing. Finishing techniques enhance the final product.

Hand

EtchingEtching is the process of using strong acid or mordant to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in intaglio in the metal.

Advantages• Hard to learn but once mastered

you earn lots of money.• The skill doesn’t evolve around one

material or colour.Disadvantages

• It is expensive depending on what material you use

• A lot of training required to get into the etching industry

LinocutLinocut is a printmaking technique, a variant of woodcut in which a sheet of

linoleum (sometimes mounted on a wooden block) is used for the relief

surface. A design is cut into the linoleum surface with a sharp knife, V-shaped chisel or gouge, with the raised (uncarved) areas representing a reversal (mirror image) of

the parts to show printed.Advantages:

carving is enabled, printing is possible, embossing is enabled, rubbing, tough and sturdy, different surfaces, easy for simple

designsDisadvantages

Mistakes are irreversible, it is not 3D, you have to work hard to get texture, hard to

cut, limited colour application, hard to clean, hard to get off hands, long time to

dry, Time consuming

Screen printingThe screen is made from a fine mesh material fixed to a wooden frame. A stencil is placed under the screen and ink forced through the stencil onto the material below. Screen printing with stencils is best for blocks of colour.

Advantages'• Creates unique visual result• Very durable inks• Vivid colours• Flexible printing technique

Disadvantages• Time consuming

Woodcutis a relief printing artistic technique in printmaking in where an image is carved into the surface of a

block of some wood , with the printing parts remaining level with the surface while the non-

printing parts are removed, typically with gouges.Advantages:

•Introduction of paper was a lot cheaper than vellum

•Great for mass production •Cheaper than metals

•Could be combined with movable typeDisadvantages

•Can take a long time to carve, hours or even days

•Difficult to carve small details

Lithographya printing technique by which the image to be printed is fixed on a stone or metal plate with a combination of ink-absorbent and ink-

repellent vehicles. Advantages

• Its fast• Fast print runs

• Images are clear and sharpDisadvantages

• Can not produce high quality prints#• Print quantity must be high• Materials are difficult to use

DigitalPhotocopyingMost current photocopiers use a technology called xerography, a dry process that uses electrostatic charges on a light sensitive photoreceptor to first attract and then transfer toner particles (a powder) onto paper in the form of an image.

Advantages• It is a fast process

• The process is also cheapDisadvantages

• Lack of reliability• Environment

Laser printingLaser printing is an electrostatic digital printing process that rapidly produces high quality text and graphics by passing a laser beam over a

charged drum to define a differentially charged image.

AdvantagesThe main advantage of owning a laser printer is that they are more efficient for home and

small business use. Another advantage is that they print on their own without needing to be

watched. Disadvantages

The disadvantage is that it cannot perform duplicate printing functions and is a more

costly unit overall. Another disadvantage to laser printers is that they do use a larger

amount of electricity to be run.

Ink jetInkjet printing is a type of computer printing

that creates a digital image by propelling droplets of ink onto paper, plastic, or other

substrates. Advantages

• Lowest cost of printing on the market• High quality images

• Doesn’t need time to heat up before printing.

Disadvantages• Cartridge cost

• Time consuming compared to laser printing

Desktop publisherDesktop publishing (abbreviated DTP) is the

creation of documents using page layout skills on a personal computer. Desktop publishing software

can generate layouts and produce typographic quality text and images comparable to traditional

typography and printingAdvantages

Desktop publishing provides an individual or business the means to produce quality material

on the premises inexpensively. Many entrepreneurs and graphic artist have taken

advantage of using this program. Disadvantages

The disadvantages of the program is that in order to work it properly you will need to have some

knowledge.

MechanicalLetterpress

This is a form of relief printing. In relief printing, the parts to be printed are

raised up from the base plate. Letterpress printing can be used to

produce both type and illustrations. It is used for small printing jobs such as

business cards and stationery.Advantages

• Letter press creates crisp, clean lines and bold images

• prints are printed with high-pigment-level ink, making the images and

typography sharp.Disadvantage's• Slow process

• Colour disadvantages• Exspensice

GravureIn gravure printing, the image is

made up of small holes sunk in the surface of the printing plate. The holes are filled with ink and any excess is removed. Paper comes into contact with the ink in the

holes when it is pressed against the plate.

Advantages• The advantages to gravure printing are the photographic quality, bright colours, best

possible appearance and highest perceived value for your product.

Disadvantages• Its main disadvantage is the high

cost and the time needed to engrave gravure cylinders.

Screen processThe fourth traditional type of printing,

screen process, includes silk screen and has special applications in the printing

industry. Silk screen printing is a form of stencil printing, i.e., printing where the ink is applied to the back of the image carrier and pushed through porous or open areas. The image is on a piece of silk stretched on a frame and backed by a rubber squeegee

containing ink.