There are many different ways to print images, each with unique benefits and use cases. Numerous innovative presses and a wide array of quality materials offer a tremendous range of options to bring your files to life. Here are six of the most common digital print methodologies explained:
Wide Format Digital Printing
Wide-format digital printing encompasses a range of roll-to-roll print devices. This category is defined by printing on rolls that are 24-inches to 16-feet wide. Aqueous inkjet is the most common form of wide-format printer that generally accommodates rolls with widths of 60-inches or less. The results are high resolution, but produced at slower speeds and on a narrower range of useable materials, principally treated papers. Larger and more versatile wide-format printers use UV inks and curing. These printers are generally more industrial in size, faster, and print on a wide range of substrates, including papers, films, synthetic materials, fabrics, and vinyl. Older wide-format presses use solvent inks, but these inks are more harmful to the environment. Many machine manufacturers have stopped production on solvent printers for that reason.
Giclee Printing
Giclee printing is commonly used for fine art projects and prints that require greater longevity. Giclee prints feature pigment-based inks that are designed to be more archival than other ink types, particularly when combined with archival paper. These prints are usually done on high-definition printers that have numerous ink channels to provide a wide array of color options and a greater color gamut. They are slower than wide-format standard printers. Giclee prints can be produced on a variety of specialty art paper types, both textured and smooth, many of which are 100% cotton watercolor paper.
Dye Sublimation Printing
Dye-sublimation printing is a digital printing technology where digital artwork is typically printed onto a transfer paper. The paper is heated on a transfer press which transfers the image onto a polyester or polymer-coated substrate. There are also direct dye sublimation printers that print directly onto specially coated polyester fabrics which are then heat sublimated to set the ink. Dye sublimation prints tend to be very vibrant and more scratch-resistant than other types of prints. Polyester fabrics are lighter than most wide-format materials, and many have wrinkle-resistant properties.
Digital C Printing
The term ‘C-print’ refers to a Chromogenic color print, a type of full-color photographic print. These continuous tone prints are made by exposing photo paper (matte or glossy) or Duratrans backlit film using lasers. They are processed in dark room conditions with traditional photo chemistry and automated processors. Many photographic papers including Fuji Crystal Archive and Kodak Endura papers are archival when stored properly. A few companies have machines to produce true black-and-white prints using B&W paper and B&W chemistry.
Direct to Board Printing
This category of presses uses UV inks and curing to print on a wide array of rigid sheet-fed materials including acrylic, PVC boards, foam boards, wood, aluminum, and cardboard. Sheets or boards are fed or laid on the printer bed and then imaged by the press. Some machines print on materials up to two inches thick. One type of machine, the Hybrid UV press, can image both on boards and material rolls that are loaded onto the press.
Digital Sheetfed Presses
Digital printing truly came of age with the launch of the Landa digital 40-inch press (sheet sizes up to 28 x 40-inches) and the longer-established Indigo presses (sheet sizes of 12 x 18 to 20 x 29 inches). Also referred to as small-format digital printing, this category of printing offers flexibility to produce long and short runs and use variable data and wide-gamut ink sets. As digital technology has advanced, run speeds and quality have increased to the point where digital continues to erode the analog offset printing presence in the marketplace. Digital sheet-fed printing presses are more eco-friendly than traditional analog offset technologies and have the capacity to produce everything from books and brochures to posters and counter cards.
Need Help Deciding? With so many great printing methodologies to consider for your files, it can help to consult the experts. Duggal Visual Solutions has been a trusted print partner to visual creatives for more than 50 years. Duggal produces all of the above forms of printing and we are here to help you select the best image printing method and material based on your needs, vision, and budget. Send an email to info@duggal.com, and we will help you select the perfect printing methodology for your project.
