A quick guide to professional print

When it comes to printing it can be very confusing with lots of jargon and options to choose from.

Here’s our quick guide to help you understand the different types of professional printing and select the most suitable option for your next project.

Types of Printing

Digital Printing

This is one of the most common types of printing and is when you reproduce a digital based print image (usually PDF) to print format. Digital presses use powdered toner instead of traditional inks. As it’s digital there’s no need for a printing plate as the files are sent over in a digital file format. It works best on smaller paper weights such as 90gsm and 130gsm.

The benefits of digital print include:

• Quick turnaround – easy and quick to set up as no printing plates are required
• Cost effective – set up is easy, saving time and money
• Ideal for small print runs

Digital printing is best for:

• Brochures and leaflets
• Handbooks
• Promotional and marketing materials
• Contracts and guides

Lithographic printing

Lithographic printing uses plates, the inked image is transferred from the plate to a rubber blanket, then rolled onto the sheet of paper. More modern techniques also include offset litho printing, where a roller system is used to apply the ink. It’s a great choice for printing on heavier paper weights such as 350gsm and 380gsm.

The advantages offset printing include:

• Consistently high-quality results
• Cost effective for large volumes
• Versatile – can be used with any paper type or flat surface including cloth and wood

Litho printing is best for:

• Brochures
• Handbooks
• Magazines
• Catalogues
• Prospectuses
• Posters

LED UV printing

LED UV printing uses ultraviolet (UV) light to dry the ink, resulting in a much faster drying time.  It is mostly used for posters, leaflets, catalogues, brochures and prospectuses. It works well when combined with either a matte or gloss coating to really bring out the colours.

The benefits of UV printing include:

• High quality – clarity of the artwork will be top quality
• Quick turnaround – due to the fast-drying time
• Eco-friendly – uses less power than traditional printing machines
• Versatile – can be used on different types of paper

LED UV printing is best for:

• Standard brochures & catalogues
• Newsletters
• Mailshots
• Photography led items
• Posters