Types of printing

Overview: A versatile, high-speed printing technique that uses flexible relief plates to transfer ink onto various materials.

Best For: Corrugated boxes, plastic bags, labels, and flexible packaging.

Advantages: Suitable for large volumes, cost-effective for packaging production, and works well with a variety of substrates (paper, plastic, foil).

Overview: Involves transferring ink from a metal plate to a rubber blanket, then onto the printing surface.

Best For: Paperboard packaging, folding cartons, labels, and premium packaging.

Advantages: High-quality prints with sharp detail, great for small to medium runs of packaging, consistent color reproduction.

Overview: Uses engraved cylinders to transfer ink directly onto the substrate, allowing for high-quality, continuous-tone printing.

Best For: High-quality packaging like flexible films, pouches, and labels.

Advantages: Superior print quality, ideal for long-run, high-volume projects, excellent for intricate details and photo-realistic images.

Overview: Uses digital files to print directly onto packaging material, without the need for plates or physical setup.

Best For: Short runs, custom packaging, and personalized products.

Advantages: Quick turnaround time, cost-effective for short runs, easy to change designs, ideal for print-on-demand packaging.

Overview: Uses a mesh screen to transfer ink onto the substrate, with different screens for each color.

Best For: Printing on rigid packaging like bottles, cans, and plastic containers.

Advantages: High opacity, suitable for bold, vibrant colors, durable prints, great for irregular surfaces.

Overview: A traditional technique where inked raised letters press onto the surface of the substrate.

Best For: Luxury packaging, premium products, and decorative elements like embossing or debossing.

Advantages: High-quality, tactile prints, ideal for fine details and small batches, creates a premium, handcrafted feel.

Overview: A method where a design is transferred from a carrier paper to the packaging using heat and pressure.

Best For: Labels, shrink sleeves, and flexible packaging.

Advantages: Works well on complex shapes, high-quality finishes, cost-effective for small to medium runs.

Overview: A printing technique that uses an elastic pad to transfer ink from a plate to the surface of a 3D object.

Best For: Small or irregularly shaped items like promotional products, bottles, and medical packaging.

Advantages: Ideal for printing on uneven surfaces, sharp, high-quality results for small items.

Overview: A form of digital printing that uses ultraviolet light to cure the ink as it prints.

Best For: Plastic packaging, rigid boxes, labels, and luxury packaging.

Advantages: Quick drying, vibrant colors, durable and scratch-resistant prints, works on a wide range of materials.

Overview: Similar to gravure printing, this method uses a rotary press with engraved cylinders to print high-quality designs.

Best For: High-quality flexible packaging, such as bags and wrappers.

Advantages: Excellent print quality, suitable for large volumes and long runs, ideal for detailed designs.

Overview: Not a printing method per se, but a technique used to create raised (embossed) or recessed (debossed) patterns in the material surface.

Best For: Premium packaging, gift boxes, luxury items, and greeting cards.

Advantages: Adds texture and a premium feel to packaging, can be combined with foil stamping for additional decoration.

Overview: A method where metallic foil is applied to the packaging using heat and pressure.

Best For: Premium packaging, labels, and high-end product packaging.

Advantages: Adds metallic or glossy effects, creates a luxurious look, ideal for logos, patterns, and text.