1. Type Type Definition Advantage Disadvantage
Hand Planographic Printing from a
flat surface
Similar to
Drawing and
painting
Letterpress Imbeds artwork
into paper
It is very good
quality
It is a very labour
intensive process
Silk-screening Layering a
number of
"stencilled" areas
onto a surface
It is a fairly simple
process
Relief Image is raised
above the surface
Most enduring
print technique
Intaglio An image is
incised with a
pointed tool
Very accurate Takes quite a lot
of time
Mechanical Gravure Involves
engraving the
image onto an
image carrier
Widest and
fastest presses in
operation
Could be very
expensive
Screen Process Uses a woven
mesh to support
an ink-blocking
stencil
It is very simple Takes quite a long
time
Letter press It is used for small
printing jobs such
as business cards
and stationery.
It is very good
quality
The range of
fonts and styles is
limited.
Digital Laser Printing Uses a highly
focused beam of
light
Quick and easy to
do
Uses a lot of ink
and could be
expensive
Inkjet Printing Uses variable-
sized droplets of
ink
Photocopy Makes multiple
copies of media
documents
It is quick and
cheap
The copies are
more expensive
Desktop
Publishing
An image that will
be printed on a
mass scale
Can be used for a
lot of things
Very expensive