2. Main Print Sectors
Hand
• Etching
• Linocut
• Screen print
• Woodcut
• Lithography
Mechanical
• Letterpress
• Gravure
• Screen process
Digital
• Photocopying
• Laser print
• Inkjet
• Desktop Publishing
The main printing techniques are screen printing, block printing and
photocopying. Letterpress, lithography, flexography, and gravure printing are
used in commercial manufacturing. Finishing techniques enhance the final
product.
3. Hand
Etching
Etching is the process of using strong acid
or mordant to cut into the unprotected parts
of a metal surface to create a design in
intaglio in the metal.
Advantages
• Hard to learn but once mastered you
earn lots of money.
• The skill doesn’t evolve around one
material or colour.
Disadvantages
• It is expensive depending on what
material you use
• A lot of training required to get into the
etching industry
Linocut
Linocut is a printmaking technique, a variant of
woodcut in which a sheet of linoleum (sometimes
mounted on a wooden block) is used for the relief
surface. A design is cut into the linoleum surface
with a sharp knife, V-shaped chisel or gouge,
with the raised (uncarved) areas representing a
reversal (mirror image) of the parts to show
printed.
Advantages:
carving is enabled, printing is possible,
embossing is enabled, rubbing, tough and sturdy,
different surfaces, easy for simple designs
Disadvantages
Mistakes are irreversible, it is not 3D, you have to
work hard to get texture, hard to cut, limited
colour application, hard to clean, hard to get off
hands, long time to dry, Time consuming
Screen printing
The screen is made from a fine mesh material
fixed to a wooden frame. A stencil is placed under
the screen and ink forced through the stencil onto
the material below. Screen printing with stencils is
best for blocks of colour.
Advantages'
• Creates unique visual result
• Very durable inks
• Vivid colours
• Flexible printing technique
Disadvantages
• Time consuming
Woodcut
is a relief printing artistic technique in printmaking in
where an image is carved into the surface of a block of
some wood , with the printing parts remaining level with
the surface while the non-printing parts are removed,
typically with gouges.
Advantages:
•Introduction of paper was a lot cheaper than vellum
•Great for mass production
•Cheaper than metals
•Could be combined with movable type
Disadvantages
•Can take a long time to carve, hours or even days
•Difficult to carve small details
Lithography
a printing technique by which the image to be
printed is fixed on a stone or metal plate with a
combination of ink-absorbent and ink-repellent
vehicles.
Advantages
• Its fast
• Fast print runs
• Images are clear and sharp
Disadvantages
• Can not produce high quality prints#
• Print quantity must be high
• Materials are difficult to use
4. Digital
Photocopying
Most current photocopiers use a technology called
xerography, a dry process that uses electrostatic
charges on a light sensitive photoreceptor to first
attract and then transfer toner particles (a powder)
onto paper in the form of an image.
Advantages
• It is a fast process
• The process is also cheap
Disadvantages
• Lack of reliability
• Environment
Laser printing
Laser printing is an electrostatic digital printing
process that rapidly produces high quality text and
graphics by passing a laser beam over a charged
drum to define a differentially charged image.
Advantages
The main advantage of owning a laser printer is that
they are more efficient for home and small business
use. Another advantage is that they print on their own
without needing to be watched.
Disadvantages
The disadvantage is that it cannot perform duplicate
printing functions and is a more costly unit overall.
Another disadvantage to laser printers is that they do
use a larger amount of electricity to be run.
Ink jet
Inkjet printing is a type of computer printing that
creates a digital image by propelling droplets of ink
onto paper, plastic, or other substrates.
Advantages
• Lowest cost of printing on the market
• High quality images
• Doesn’t need time to heat up before printing.
Disadvantages
• Cartridge cost
• Time consuming compared to laser printing
Desktop publisher
Desktop publishing (abbreviated DTP) is the creation of
documents using page layout skills on a personal
computer. Desktop publishing software can generate
layouts and produce typographic quality text and images
comparable to traditional typography and printing
Advantages
Desktop publishing provides an individual or business the
means to produce quality material on the premises
inexpensively. Many entrepreneurs and graphic artist
have taken advantage of using this program.
Disadvantages
The disadvantages of the program is that in order to work
it properly you will need to have some knowledge.
5. MechanicalLetterpress
This is a form of relief printing. In relief printing,
the parts to be printed are raised up from the
base plate. Letterpress printing can be used to
produce both type and illustrations. It is used
for small printing jobs such as business cards
and stationery.
Advantages
• Letter press creates crisp, clean lines and
bold images
• prints are printed with high-pigment-level
ink, making the images and typography
sharp.
Disadvantage's
• Slow process
• Colour disadvantages
• Exspensice
Gravure
In gravure printing, the image is made up
of small holes sunk in the surface of the
printing plate. The holes are filled with
ink and any excess is removed. Paper
comes into contact with the ink in the
holes when it is pressed against the
plate.
Advantages
• The advantages to gravure printing
are the photographic quality, bright
colours, best possible appearance
and highest perceived value for your
product.
Disadvantages
• Its main disadvantage is the high cost
and the time needed to engrave
gravure cylinders.
Screen process
The fourth traditional type of printing, screen
process, includes silk screen and has special
applications in the printing industry. Silk screen
printing is a form of stencil printing, i.e., printing
where the ink is applied to the back of the image
carrier and pushed through porous or open
areas. The image is on a piece of silk stretched
on a frame and backed by a rubber squeegee
containing ink.
