How Does Digital Printing Work?
Printing has been around for centuries and in that time, has gone through many changes and much growth. The technology used in printing has evolved over the years, with 3D and digital printing becoming readily available to the average person. Meanwhile, the general public usually doesn’t know the many features and benefits of these forms of printing. How does digital printing work you may ask. So, in this article Minuteman Press Bristol explain digital printing.
What is Digital Printing?
Digital printing is a form of printing that uses a series of dots, often referred to as dots per inch (DPI) to print its imagery. DPI is the typical notation for the resolution of an image.
The higher the resolution the clearer and sharper the image will be. The more detail there is means more dots per inch. In digital printing, the quality of the print is dependent upon the resolution that your printer as capable of. For example, you could create an amazing piece of artwork in high res, however, if the printer doesn’t have the capacity it won’t be as high quality as you might expect.
Types of Digital Printing
Inkjet or Dry Toner
Digital printers typically present in two different flavours, Inkjet or Dry Toner; both offer their own distinct features and benefits.
Dry toner digital printers function using a dry toner-based system. Toner is typically very fine, and plastic-based. The toner is heated via a unit within the printer called the fuser, which melts the toner onto the paper. Dry toner-based printers print dots at 7–10 microns; smaller than inkjet printing, which is why the resolution, clarity and detail are all enhanced on a dry toner printed document.
Whereas, Inkjet digital printers operate by depositing tiny drops of coloured ink onto the chosen substrate. These drops constitute the dots that create the image itself. Dots are typically 50–60 microns, smaller than the width of the average hair. The supplied raster document determines where the dots print on the substrate.
Digital Printing Process
The print process starts with the image or content that you want to be printed, supplied in a relevant format. The image or content, whatever it may be, needs to be created in electronic form or alternatively converted into a raster format that can be read by the printer. This is usually one of the following, TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), PDF (Portable Document Format) or BMP (Bitmap image file). Dependent upon the printer’s software and functionality it may be capable of accepting native files from relevant image-based or graphic design types software programs such as Photoshop, whose working files tend to be PSD format (Photoshop document) or alternative programs such as Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator.
A raster file in printer terms means that the image is converted into a format that the printer can read; a series of dots that form the complete image. The raster file is a set of instructions, which command the printer where to print the dots on the substrate, as well as the colour required to make up the complete image.
Why Should I use Digital Printing?
Quick Turnaround
There are a number of reasons for opting to use digital printing versus traditional litho based printing, one of which is lead time. Digital printing requires a far shorter set-up time than traditional printing options, for example, plate creation is not required. Digital printers work from a relevant usable file, directly accessed and printed. Further, there is no drying time, especially with dry toner digital printing.
Easily Changed
One of the inherent benefits of digital print is the ability to make changes without the need to recreate new plates (as used in litho printing); this makes digital printing a versatile and useful option. Changes can be made quickly, within the relevant software, and printed out in a fraction of the time compared with litho printing.
Digital Printing is Cost-Effective
Digital printers offer cost savings, certainly when considering short-run print; this relates to printing of a relatively small volume, such as up to 500 prints (subject to project specification). The reason for the cost-saving is that unlike litho printing which requires significant set-up prior to the actual print, digital printing works directly from a relevant file.
Digital Printing Problems
A complication encountered by many digital print companies is that artwork has been provided at an insufficient resolution to deliver the desired outcome. The size and resolution of the imagery and content must be of sufficient quality to ensure that the print is sharp. Check with the printing company to be certain that all artwork has been created in the correct format and resolution.
If you’re looking for high-quality, trusted digital printers get in touch with Minuteman Press. We offer a multitude of different printing options, We’ve got more than 20 years’ experience in fulfilling all kinds of print — including leaflets, business cards, business stationery, flyers, menus, price lists, cards, envelopes, posters, books, magazines, and so much more.
