The most important printing processes at a glance

Whether packaging, brochure, label or poster: every printed product relies on a printing process that has to match the run length, material and quality requirements. Knowing the main processes helps you plan better, save costs and get the best result. Here is an overview of the most common printing processes with their strengths and typical applications.

Offset printing

Offset printing is the most widely used process for high-quality print products and packaging. The ink is transferred from a printing plate via a rubber blanket onto the material.

• Strengths: the highest colour consistency, spot colours (HKS/Pantone), very economical for medium and large runs, a wide choice of materials
• Limits: set-up costs for plates. For very small quantities, the process is less economical.
• Typical for: folding cartons, catalogues, brochures, magazines, books

Digital printing

In digital printing, the data goes straight to the press without a printing plate.

• Strengths: economical from small quantities, fast, personalisable, ideal for samples and variants
• Limits: spot colours are usually simulated from CMYK. For large runs, offset printing is cheaper.
• Typical for: short runs, prototypes, personalised mailings, labels with many variants

More: Digital printing for small and medium runs and Offset or digital printing.

Screen printing

In screen printing, the ink is pressed through a fine-mesh fabric onto the material.

• Strengths: very strong, opaque ink layers, special inks, tactile effects, prints on almost any material
• Limits: not well suited to photos and fine gradients. Each colour needs its own screen.
• Typical for: textiles, glass, promotional products, signs, accents on packaging

More: What is screen printing and where is it used?

UV printing

In UV printing, special inks cure instantly under UV light.

• Strengths: instantly dry, brilliant colours, scratch-resistant, also prints on plastic, glass, acrylic, metal or wood
• Limits: food packaging and very flexible materials need suitable ink systems.
• Typical for: labels, displays, signs, promotional products, packaging with effects

More: UV printing: benefits and applications

Flexographic printing

Flexographic printing uses flexible printing plates and low-viscosity inks. It is widely used in industry for corrugated board, films, roll labels and carrier bags. It is particularly economical for very large runs and continuous materials.

Gravure printing

In gravure printing, the printing areas are engraved into a printing cylinder. The process delivers excellent image quality. Because making the cylinders is costly, however, it only pays off for very high runs, such as magazines, catalogues in the millions or flexible packaging.

Large-format printing

Large-format printing is used for posters, banners, roll-ups and trade fair walls. This is usually digital printing on wide machines, often with UV or solvent-based inks for outdoor use.

Which process suits your project?

• Small run or personalisation: digital printing
• Medium to large run with exact colours: offset printing
• Opaque colours, special materials or textiles: screen printing
• Non-absorbent materials, high durability: UV printing
• Posters, banners and trade fairs: large-format printing

Often the best solution is a combination, for example offset printing with screen-printed accents, or digital samples before the offset series. Besides the process, data, material and colour management are what make a perfect result. More in our article How is perfect print quality achieved?.

We offer offset, digital, screen and UV printing from our own production, from short runs to large series. Send us the dimensions, quantity and design. We will recommend the right process and send you a binding quote within 24 hours.

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