In the packaging and printing industry, digital printing, offset printing, screen printing, gravure printing, flexographic printing and UV printing have their own characteristics and are widely used in different packaging fields. The following is description of these printing methods.
I. Digital Printing
- Definition
Digital printing is a computer file printed directly on paper or other substrates, without the traditional printing plate-making process. It uses digital imaging technology, such as inkjet, laser, etc., ink or color powder will be directly sprayed or transferred to the substrate to form images and text.
2. Features
– Personalization: Digital printing can be easily personalized to meet the specific needs of different customers. Whether it is different patterns, text or color combinations, they can be quickly adjusted and printed.
– Advantage of simple printing: for small print orders or samples, digital printing is less costly and more efficient. No need for plate making, greatly reducing the production time, can quickly respond to your packaging needs.
– High-quality images: digital printing can achieve high-resolution image output, bright colors, rich layers. It is especially good at printing photos and artwork.
– Variable data printing: Different information can be printed in the same printing job, such as bar codes, serial numbers, personalized text, etc., which provides convenience for product traceability and personalized marketing.
3. Application Areas
– Packaging samples and proofing: In the packaging design stage, digital printing can quickly produce packaging product samples, which is convenient for customers to confirm the design effect. At the same time, it is also used to print small quantities of packaging samples to check the quality and applicability of packaging.
– Personalized packaging: such as customized gift boxes, personalized beverage bottle labels and so on. Digital printing can print unique patterns and text according to customer requirements, increasing the attractiveness and added value of the product.
– Short-version packaging printing: For small-volume product packaging, such as new product launches, promotional activities, etc., digital printing is a cost-effective option.
4. Development trends
With the continuous progress of digital technology, digital printing will be more and more widely used in the packaging and printing industry. In the future, digital printing will pay more attention to improving printing quality, reducing costs, expanding the field of application, and combining with other printing methods to achieve complementary advantages.
II. offset printing
1. Definition and principle
Offset printing is a lithographic printing method, the principle is the use of water and oil insoluble properties, the image will be printed on the printing plate on the graphic part of the oleophobic, blank part of the hydrophilic and oleophobic. Then the image on the printing plate is transferred to the substrate through the rubber blanket.
2. Features
– High-quality printing: offset printing can achieve high-resolution, detailed images and text printing, bright colors, high saturation. Especially in the printing of color pictures, albums, posters, etc. has excellent performance.
– Suitable for high-volume printing: offset printing costs are relatively low, once the plate is completed, you can carry out high-volume printing production, high efficiency and relatively low cost.
– Printing stability: offset printing equipment with a high degree of automation, the printing process is stable, to ensure the consistency of the quality of printed materials.
3. application areas
– Books, magazines printing: offset printing is the main printing of books, magazines and other publications, to meet the high quality, high-volume printing needs.
– Packaging cartons, label printing: For some high-quality requirements of packaging cartons and labels, offset printing can provide exquisite printing results. For example, high-grade cosmetic boxes, food packaging boxes, etc..
– Commercial printing: including brochures, posters, business cards and other commercial printing, offset printing can provide high-quality printing services.
4. Development trends
Offset printing technology is constantly innovating and developing, such as the emergence of waterless offset printing, digital offset printing and other new technologies to improve the environmental protection and productivity of offset printing. At the same time, offset printing is also being combined with other printing methods to expand the field of application and meet the diverse needs of the market.
III. screen printing
1. Definition and principle
Screen printing, is a screen printing plate through the ink or paint printed on the substrate printing method. Screen printing plate is composed of screen, frame and photopolymer, etc., through the photopolymerization of the method of plate making the graphic part of the permeable mesh, non-graphic part of the photopolymer seal. When the product start printing, the ink leaks through the mesh to the substrate, forming images and text.
2. Characteristics
– Wide range of application: screen printing can be printed on substrates of various shapes and materials, such as flat, curved, concave and convex surfaces, textiles, glass, ceramics, metals, etc.
– Thick ink layer: The ink layer of screen printing is thick and colorful, with strong three-dimensional sense and texture. Especially in the printing of special effects, such as luminous, fluorescent, metallic luster, etc. has a unique advantage.
– Good light resistance: screen printing ink has strong light resistance and is not easy to fade, which is suitable for outdoor advertising, signs and other long-term use of printed materials.
3. Application areas
– Textile printing: such as T-shirts, scarves, curtains and other textile pattern printing, screen printing can achieve rich colors and complex pattern design.
– Plastic products printing: such as plastic bottles, plastic boxes and other plastic products surface printing, screen printing can be printed on irregularly shaped plastic products.
– Glass, ceramic printing: for glassware, ceramic products, decorative printing, screen printing can be printed with exquisite patterns and text, increase the artistic value of the product.
– Electronic circuit printing: in the electronics industry, screen printing is used for printed circuit boards, electronic component identification, etc.
4. Development Trends
Screen printing technology is constantly innovating and improving, such as the emergence of automated screen printing equipment to improve production efficiency and printing quality. At the same time, the research and development of new inks and materials also bring more application possibilities for screen printing.
IV. Gravure Printing
1. Definition and Principle
Gravure printing is a kind of printing method through the mold in the paper or other substrates pressed out of the embossing effect. It is usually used in combination with other printing methods such as offset printing and screen printing to increase the three-dimensionality and texture of printed materials.
2. Characteristics
– Strong sense of three-dimensionality: embossing can form obvious concave-convex effect on the substrate, which makes the pattern and text have a three-dimensional sense and enhances the visual impact of the printed matter.
– Good handle feeling: products printed with embossing have a unique handfeel, giving people a high-quality feeling.
– Increase anti-counterfeiting: embossing printing can increase the anti-counterfeiting of printed products through special mold design and production, preventing the emergence of fake and shoddy products.
3. Application areas
– High-grade packaging printing: such as cosmetic boxes, gift boxes, wine boxes and other high-grade packaging, embossing can enhance the grade and value of the products.
– Book binding: The use of gravure printing on the front and back covers of books can increase the texture and artistic sense of the books.
– Business card and greeting card printing: embossing can make business cards, greeting cards and other printed materials more exquisite and unique, leaving a deep impression to your customers.
4. Development trend
With consumers’ increasing demands for packaging quality and personalize, the application of embossing printing in the packaging printing industry will become more and more widespread. In the future, gravure printing will pay more attention to the combination with other printing methods, innovate design and production process, and improve the added value of printed products.
V. Flexography Printing
1. Definition and Principle
Flexography printing is a kind of printing method using flexible printing plates, which are usually made of materials such as rubber or photopolymerized resin. Flexography printing, the ink through the anilox rollers passed to the printing plate, and then by the printing plate transferred to the substrate.
2. Features
– Environmental protection: Most of the inks used in flexography printing are water-based or UV inks, which are non-toxic, odorless and friendly to the environment. At the same time, the noise of flexography printing equipment is low, in line with environmental requirements.
– Low printing cost: The production cost of flexography printing plate is relatively low, and it is suitable for high-volume printing. In addition, the structure of flexographic printing equipment is simple, low maintenance costs.
– Wide range of adaptive materials: flexographic printing can be printed on a variety of paper, plastic film, metal foil and other substrates, with a wide range of adaptability.
3. Application areas
– Food Packaging Printing: The environmental protection and low cost of flexography printing make it an ideal choice for food packaging printing. Such as instant noodle bags, milk cartons, beverage bottle labels and so on.
– Pharmacy Packaging Printing: For pharmaceutical packaging, flexographic printing can meet the strict health requirements and quality standards.
– Corrugated Box Printing: Flexo printing is one of the main ways of corrugated box printing, which can realize high-quality printing results and efficient production.
4. Development Trends
Flexography printing technology is constantly developing and innovating, such as the emergence of high-speed flexographic printing equipment, digital flexographic printing technology, etc., which improves the production efficiency and printing quality of flexographic printing. At the same time, flexographic printing is also constantly expanding the field of application, and other printing methods to compete to meet the diverse needs of the market.
VI. UV printing
1. Definition and principle
UV printing is a method using ultraviolet-curable ink. In the printing process, the ink is transferred to the substrate through the printing plate, and then immediately cured by ultraviolet radiation, so that the ink dries instantly.
2. Characteristics
– Fast drying speed: UV ink dries instantly under UV irradiation without waiting for a long time for natural drying, which greatly improves production efficiency.
– High printing quality: UV ink has high gloss, bright colors and good adhesion, which can print high-quality images and text.
– Good abrasion resistance: UV printed products have good abrasion resistance, chemical resistance and weather resistance, suitable for use in a variety of harsh environments.
– Environmentally friendly: UV inks do not contain volatile organic compounds (VOC) and are environmentally friendly.
3. Application areas
– High-grade packaging printing: such as cosmetic boxes, skincare boxes, gift boxes, cigarette boxes and other high-grade packaging, UV printing can provide high gloss, three-dimensional printing effect.
– Label printing: UV printed labels have good abrasion resistance and weather resistance, suitable for use in a variety of environments.
– Advertising printing: such as posters, leaflets and other advertising printed materials, UV printing can achieve bright colors and special effects to attract the attention of consumers.
4. Development trends
UV printing technology is constantly developing and improving, such as the development of new UV ink, UV curing equipment improvements, etc., to improve the quality and efficiency of UV printing. At the same time, UV printing is also combined with other printing methods to expand the field of application to meet the diverse needs of the market.
In summary, digital printing, offset printing, screen printing, gravure printing, flexography printing and UV printing and other printing methods in the packaging printing industry have their own characteristics and advantages. In practical application, the appropriate printing method should be selected according to different printing needs and product characteristics, in order to achieve the best printing effect and economic benefits. At the same time, with the continuous progress of science and technology and the continuous changes in the market, these printing methods will continue to innovate and develop, bringing more opportunities and challenges for the packaging and printing industry. Any packaging needs welcome to contact us.