Recent trends in printing technologyJ.P.NirmalaLecturer in Printing Tech.Anna University

Recent trendsPre-pressPressFinishing MaterialsSubstratesInksCoatings

Pre-PressPrepress refers to the preparation of digital files for printing.

Conventional Pre-PressType settingCopy editingProofingProof readingPreparing Image Layout designingImpositionFilm MakingLayout StrippingPlate making

Conventional Pre-Press

Variable data PrintingCustomized dataVersioningPossible by digital pressesApplicationsDirect MailingCustomized transaction billing

Web to printBridges the gap between digital content online and commercial print production Allows a print house, a client, and possibly a graphic designer to create, edit, and approve computer-based online templates during the prepress phasePDF workflow, digital printing

Cross media publishingRepurpose content for print, web, mobile devicesXML workflowApplicationsNewspapers, ENewspapersMagazines, EMagazinesBooks, Ebooks

Digital Pre press Work flow

Digital Pre-PressThere are four steps that make up the digital prepress process for commercial printing:Flight checking and color correction.Prepare, RIP and impose files.Digital proofing.Direct-to-plate.

Computer to Technology

CTP : Computer to PlateAlso called Direct imagingEliminates the use of filmThe production time of prepress reduced.Reducing the pre press wastes.Need skilled workersNeed special sophisticated equipments Higher maintenance cost.

Work Flow Of CTP

Types of CTPOnce Image ableThermal CTP TechnologyViolet CTP TechnologyRe-Image ableMasterThermal CTPLaser CTPMaster less/ Surface SystemThermal CTPPolarization Techniques

Once Image able CTP Thermal CTP Technology It changes the plate physically by either hardening the image area or removing the non image area (ablation).

Expensive than Violet CTPPlates are costlierEx: GTO-DI (sparc /Laser)

Thermal CTP TechnologyGTO-DI sparc In a high-voltage field the plate is so altered via the electrodes of the imaging head at the ink-accepting points due to spark erosion that the ink acceptinglayer beneath the ink-repellent surface is laidbare. (ablation).

Violet CTP TechnologyThe plates are prepared by chemical changes in the image & Non image area.Removal of non image area - developing.Economic compared to thermal CTPNeeds more time for preparation.Separate plates are required for each colorEx: TruePress

Violet CTP TechnologyEach printing unit has 2 color separations on one plate.The image is formed on plate in the imaging station.The image is created chemically.Then goes to developing station.Then moves to printing position.The impression roller transfers paper after 2 revolution

Re-Image able CTPThermal imaging With Master The printing plates are prepared separately on the image carrier and retained on the plate surface for the required print run, then erased for the new job.

Thermal imaging With Master

Laser imaging With MasterProcess for generating a re-imageableplate suitable for offset printing.

a Laser imaging of the ink-free areas of theprint image;

b Dampening and inking of the plate, gradually washing out the non-image areas;

c Dampening and inking up in offset printing after longer print runs;

d Erasing the printed image through removal of material (based on the statusshown in sequence b);

e Coating with material to prepare imagingnext print job

Master less /Surface systemThe image is created on the cylinder surfaceNo separate / special image carrier is used.Less changing over timeEach time the image created even for the same print.Either Thermal laser or selective ionization process can be used.

Thermal imaging Without Master

Polarization on surfaceThe initial state the entire surface is neutralAn ionographic image created by selective polarization.Liquid toner is charged on the image.Erasing is through uniform homogeneous polarization.

PressThe actual form of printing on the required copy & substrate

Digital PressesComputer to PrintWide array of paper stocksInline FinishingThermal BinderStacking, punchingTrimming, scoring, Wire stitching, folding

Computer to Print Digital PressElectro Photography

Liquid TonerPowder Toner

Ink Jet Technology

Electro-Photography- Liquid toner

Electro-Photography- Powder toner

Ink-Jet Digital Printer

Digital PressesKey ApplicationsShort-run, on demand printing of books, high-end collateral, photo specialty products, brochures, flyers, postcards, newsletters, catalogs, manuals, point of purchase materials, and sell sheets Variable data pieces Cross-media campaigns

Hybrid PressesFlexo & OffsetInkjet & Offset/FlexoInline surface finishingDie cutting, Foil stampingCoating units Conventional inks, Water based coatings, UV coatings, special coatings such as Iriodin or Metalure

Distributed ProductionPossible by using digital technologiesCentralized Prepress, production at many sitesPrint On Demand Books, NewspapersProduction places Homes, small shops

Large Format PrintingWide format ink jet Printers are usedWidth of 135 cm to 5/8 m can be printed.Paper textile and plastics can be printed.Bill boards, Hoardings, Posters and Advertisement .

Trends in MaterialE-inkE-PaperE-Book

EInk, EPaperAims to marry the qualities of paper with the advantages of an updateable electronic display. Displays maintain their image without powerDisplays are reflective so work from ambient light. Readable from any angle

EInk, EPaperE-ink , Gyricon.E-ink uses liquid filled microcapsules filled with black and white chips that move to the top or bottom when a current is applied. Gyricons paper uses bi-chromal microcapsules in liquid which rotate.

EInk, EPaper

EInk, EPaperApplicationEReadersMedical devicesElectronic shelf displaysSmart cards

EInk, EPaper: Applications

IriodinIriodin coatings can create interesting iridescent color effects, for example the color impression created by pigment changes when viewed from a different angle. The thicker the layer of pigment applied, the more pronounced the effect.

IriodinThe image on the packaging is underlaid with a full-area silver-white Iriodin pearly luster to give it a special sheen. Iriodin with a gold gloss effect has been applied to the part of the image above the eyelid.

Cold FoilingApply the cold foil using two conventional offset printing units

Inline Die CuttingThe adjacent sheet with stickers was produced in a single pass on a offset m/c with coating unit and inline diecutting unit.

Hybrid and UV Spot CoatingsA printing unit applies a hybrid special-effect print varnish to the parts of the motif that are to have a matt appearance. Next, the coating unit is used to apply a full-area UV high-gloss coating. The matt effect is created where the gloss coating "sinks" into the special-effect print varnish.

Drip-offA special-effect print varnish is applied to the areas that are to have a matt appearance.

Next, full-area high-gloss coating is applied that drips off the areas previously given a matt coating.

This maintains the matt effect of these areas and gives the remaining areas a gloss surface.

Scented coatingMakes it possible to convey a fragrance as well as a visual and content-based message, thereby appealing to another of the customers senses. Scented coatings contain microencapsulated scents. The fragrance is released by rubbing the surface of the product.

Scented coatingsThe scented print varnish is applied, for example, to the upper part of the product packaging as a spot coating using the last printing unit. Spot coating with a matt dispersion varnish can beapplied to the part of the packaging not covered with the scented varnish

Micro-flute PrintingLess raw material is required to achieve a given level of stability. Better stacking and flexural strength and weighs less. Its superior insulating properties also make it ideal for deep-freeze fast-food packaging.

Metal FXWith Metal FX metal pigment ink, versatile metallic tones can be obtained from just one basic metallic ink.

MFX basic silver or basic gold is printed first and then overprinted with transparent offset inks.

A million different metallic tones to be created with just one basic pigment.

Security printingSpecial paper Watermarks Intaglio printing Microprinting Color-changing inks Holograms Security threads Magnetic ink Serial numbers Anti-copying marks Copy-evident paper Registration of features on both sides RFID

Biodegradable MaterialsDefinition: Free of plastic coatings, harmful chemicals, do not need an incredible amount of energy to create them, and do not use any tree resources at all. Polymers made from plants, micro-organism, agricultural residues eg. Corn, wheatflourFiber based materials eg. JuteRecycled paper

Green PrintingBindings, adhesives, foils, laminates difficult to recycle / biodegradePost-consumer recycled content, non-chlorine-bleached papers Vegetable & Soy based inks

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