Digital Printing is a printing process that uses an image to create prints on various materials such as paper, canvas, fabric, and even metal. It is a modern alternative to traditional printing methods, offering many benefits including speed, affordability, and customization. It’s also environmentally friendly and requires less setup and changeover than traditional printing methods, which helps reduce waste and cost.
In digital printing, the image is printed using ink or toner on different substrates such as paper, glass, canvas, metal, and fabric. The ink or toner is dropped onto the material and then fused with heat to bond with it. The best custom printing company is capable of producing high resolution prints with excellent color consistency and accuracy, allowing for intricate details and smooth transitions between colors. The ability to customize and personalize products on demand is another reason why digital printing is becoming increasingly popular with consumers.
The first step in digital printing is to set up a design file in the correct format and size. This can be done through a detailed discussion or meeting with the customer to ensure that they are happy with the end product and understand what it will look like when printed. After this the digital printer will create a mockup of the final product and email it to the customer for approval. Any changes that are required will be incorporated and once approved, the print production can begin.
Unlike traditional printing methods, which use metal printing plates to transfer an image onto the material, digital printing skips this step and instead directly prints the image sent from the computer to the product. This makes it a cheaper and faster process, especially for smaller print runs. The digital printer also has a leg up on the traditional method by being able to produce prototypes quickly, which is a huge benefit for customers who want to see what their finished product will look like before they move into full production.
With digital printing, it is important to make sure that the artwork you send to be printed is in a CMYK color mode. This will help ensure that the colors are printed accurately and that they are vibrant. The art should also be sized correctly, with crop marks and bleed added to ensure that the printed area is large enough and that no unprinted edges will be visible. The product or material to be printed must also be laid flat on the machine without any creases in it, as this can distort the print.
Digital printing is a great option for customers who want to avoid the high costs of traditional printing and require shorter production lead times. It also offers the flexibility of variable data printing, which allows for different text and images to be printed on each individual item based on a specific piece of information inputted into the image or software. This can be very effective for personalized marketing and direct mail campaigns.