There are several types of printing methods described in the document. Traditional methods include etching, linocut, woodcut, lithography, letterpress and gravure. Each have advantages like being suitable for mass production or high quality images, but can also be time consuming or difficult. Modern digital methods discussed are photocopying, laser printing, inkjet printing and desktop publishing. Laser printing provides high quality color printing while inkjet is fast but expensive. Desktop publishing allows individuals to self-publish using page layout software. Overall, different printing methods have tradeoffs between speed, cost and image quality.

1. PRINTING
TYPES

2. Hand printing-
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 (the original process—in modern
manufacturing other chemicals may be used on other types of material). As an intaglio method of
printmaking it is, along with engraving, the most important technique for old master prints, and
remains widely used today.
Advantages-
Disadvantages-Time consuming
Linocut-Is a variation of woodcutting which is cut into a sheet of linoleum using a sharp knife
Advantages-No sanding required and softer than most woods
Disadvantages-cannot produce very high quality prints
Woodcut-Woodblock printing is a technique for printing text, images or patterns. the wood is
carefully prepared then they use a knife and chisel and chip away at the wood making a pattern.
Advantages-Great for mass production and cheaper than metals
Disadvantages-difficult to crave small details and can take long time to carve
Lithography-A printing plate with a relief image is dampened with water and then coated with ink.
The ink only sticks to the parts of the plate that are not wet with water. The printing plate is fixed
to a roller and the image is transferred onto paper fed under the roller.
Advantages-It fast and does fast print runs and its cheap
Disadvantages-It can not produce high quality pictures and the materials are complex to use

3. Mechanical printing-
Letterpress-is a technique of using printing press. A worker composes and locks movable type into the bed of a
press. The presses is pressed against the paper to create an impression on the paper
Advantages-It’s a straight forward process and handcrafted, sharp images
Disadvantages-It is slow and had colour disadvantages
Gravure-The image is made up of small holes sunk in the surface of the printing plate. The recesses are filled with
ink and the raised (non-printing) portions of the plate or cylinder are wiped or scraped free of ink leaving the ink
only in the recesses. The paper or other material is pressed against the inked plate or cylinder and the image is
transferred to the paper.
Advantages-good quality picture and bright colours, best possible appearance and highest perceived value for
your product.
Disadvantages-high cost and the time needed to engrave gravure cylinders.
Screen process-A method of printing using a fine mesh of silk, nylon, etc, treated with an impermeable coating
except in the areas through which ink is subsequently forced onto the paper behind. Also called: silk-screen
printing
Advantages-No risks and cost’s less and less floor space is required
Disadvantages- Slow production rate and small scale production

4. Digital printing-
Photocopying-Photocopying can enlarge or decrease the size of the image, also different paper sizes can be used
in a photocopier, they can so be used to photocopy back to back copying.
Advantages-they make large amounts of copy's at once and don't wear and tear as much as a smaller one
and they are light and easy to move and they are easy to understand on how to use and they take up little space.
And they can not make large amounts of copy's at the same time.
Disadvantages- they wear and tear more easily than their industrial brothers and they can not make large
amounts of copys at the same time.
Laser printing-Is a way of producing high quality text and graphics by passing it through a laser beam over a
charged drum to define the image. The drum then selectively collects charged toner and transfers the image to
the paper, which is heated to permanently fix the image to the paper.
Advantages-Colour printing is possible And Print quality is good And Noiseless And Printing speed is high
Disadvantages-Not be the printer of choice for everyone, Due to the cost of ink, running an inkjet printer over
time is a more expensive than a laser printer.
And Prints emerge from the printer slightly wet and may need time to dry.
Inkjet-Is a type of computer printing that creates a image by using ink droplets. Ink jet printers are the most
commonly used printers. They range from very inexpensive consumer models to very large professional machines
that cost tens of thousands.
Advantages-the colour is perfect And it is faster than dot matrix, daisy wheel and laser printers.
Disadvantages- Very expensive
Desktop publishing-Is the creation of documents using page layout skills, Desktop publishing software can
generate layouts and produce a typographic quality text and image comparable to typography printing. This
technology allows individuals and business to self-publish a wide range of printed magazines, menus and books.
Advantages-They give huge advantages to designers that were not available a few years ago. Each software
product has its strengths and can be used effectively in its own arena.
Disadvantages-There is no skill or creativity in it anymore.