In the old days, printing images or words onto paper and other surfaces was a laborious and expensive task, involving many steps and a variety of equipment. It was time-consuming, too.
Technology has revolutionized the procedure and its many associated industries, such as direct marketing, newspaper and magazine publishing, bookmaking, and graphic arts design, among others. Today, digital printing—the process of transferring digital-based images directly to various media, including paper, fabric, canvas, cardstock, and other substrates—is cost-effective, faster (requires less set up), and enables easy customization of a wide range of products.
In contrast to traditional analog methods, such as offset, lithography, gravure, letterpress and flexography, digital printing presses do not rely on plates, which consistently must be replaced. Instead, these printers utilize an assortment of technologies, including lasers and digital mapping software, to create high-precision images, text and graphics.
Such mechanics possess broad applications, from photos and small-run desktop publishing to large-scale/high-volume packaging and direct mail, for example.
The vast assortment of digital printers available today can be categorized into three main types: inkjet, toner and laser. Below are more details about each, as well as several benefits of printing digitally.
This popular method creates images by transferring ink droplets onto paper and an array of other media. It's often utilized for high-speed printing jobs, since it can produce up to 500 color images and up to 300 black-and-white images per minute, depending on the model.
Toner-based printing utilizes cartridges filled with powder composed of fine particles of plastic and other resins. When heated, these fuse with the respective media to form the desired text, image, or graphic.
As its name suggests, this method employs laser beams to reproduce, and fuse, digital images, graphics and text to paper—electrostatically scanning, then fusing, with heated toner.
Digital printing holds multiple advantages, among these:
Non-digital printing processes require metal, plastic, rubber, or in some cases even paper "plates" to transfer intended images to other media. Digital printing does not, which can save both time and money.
Digital printing has minimal-to-no setup costs, short-run capabilities, zero plate expenses (since, as aforementioned, they're not used), expeditious turnaround times, and easily customizable options.
Printing digitally is also more environmentally friendly than other means, since it wastes less paper and uses fewer chemicals, and is thus more sustainable. Non-digital printing methods also consume a significant amount of water, whereas digital presses operate without it—helping to conserve this precious natural resource.
Digital printers offer a wide selection of personalization options that can help more effectively target your intended audience with customized messaging and graphic design.
Together, digital printing's flexibility, affordability, customization and high-quality end products provide countless possibilities for direct marketing campaigns.
Design Distributors is a full-service direct marketing company specializing in affordable, customized printing, mailing and data processing solutions utilizing the very latest industry technologies. Our experienced team of digital design experts possess the knowledge and know-how to ensure your project—large or small—is created on time, on budget, and surpasses even the greatest expectations. Contact us today to learn more about all the extraordinary things we can do for you!