Printing digitally is a technology that permits linking printing presses to computers that proves beneficial in a number of ways: faster turnaround times, lowered production and setup costs and the ability to personalize documents easily. This moderately new technology is prominent in the printing industry because it's a modestly more efficient way of printing. Printing has now caught up with the digital age utilizing digital means to help businesses produce their printing needs that are faster and inexpensive than ever before. When referring to digital printing, one should be aware that there are a couple of different ways to describe digital printing like short-run printing, on-demand printing, etc., and each term is used interchangeably. The process of digital printing involves gathering information, i.e. image, text, or both through an analog like scanning a document or through a digital means like using a digital camera or word processor document. Conversion of information gathered is essential. The file format needs to be converted to a useable file, such as TIFF, or EPS. Printing can be started almost immediately after the design and layout is set. There are many methods used for printing. Digitally inkjet printing is the most important printer technology for home, home offices and many small businesses. Inkjet printers are reasonably priced and produce good color output but are slow. Thermal wax printers churn out colorful printouts, but require very smooth coated paper or transparencies for best output. Thermal wax printing technology works in a good way for businesses that need to produce large quantities of transparencies for colorful business presentations. Dye-sublimation printing method is favored by some graphic designers for high-end proofing and by some businesses that want to produce the best possible color materials in-house. Electrostatic printing is a process for printing or copying in which electrostatic forces are used to form the image in powder or ink directly on the surface to be printed; the process basically uses toner instead of ink to add color spotlessly to produce media, decorative or package printing. Spray jet printing process is similar to the inkjet process, however the ink is applied to the substrate using spray nozzles. Digital printing is very cost effective, and setup costs are significantly lower than most plate printing methods. This makes digital printing much more affordable. Digital images can be produced in practically any size. Digital imaging allows quick turnarounds and the ability to change images easily. Most conventional printing methods involve proofs and tedious setups and thus digital printing is a much more simplified process. |
