What types of printing are there?

There are hardly any objects nowadays that cannot be printed. Whether made of paper, plastic, metal or textiles - depending on the material and purpose, different printing processes and techniques are used for printing. Each type of printing has its own characteristics as well as advantages and disadvantages.

Printing process depending on the printing form

Depending on the relationship between the printing elements and the printing form, a distinction is made between the four main printing processes : relief printing, gravure printing, planographic printing and through-printing. These 4 classic types of pressure are also defined in the German DIN 16500.

In addition, with the development of technology, a new type of printing called digital printing has emerged - printing is done using a computer and a printer. Although there is no "correct" form of printing, digital printing is also counted among the printing techniques as the fifth printing process .

1. High pressure

The oldest printing process is letterpress , also known as letterpress . It is so called because the printed elements are at a higher level than the non-printed parts. Other types of printing have emerged on the basis of letterpress printing – indirect letterpress (or letterset ), flexographic printing and stamp printing .

2. Intaglio

In contrast to letterpress printing, intaglio printing does not raise the image areas to be printed, but deepens them in the printing form. Intaglio printing is mainly used for high-volume print products, label and packaging printing. Banknotes, securities and stamps are also produced using this process. This type of printing also includes pad printing , in which the printing form is in an elastic pad made of silicone rubber.

3. Flat printing

In flat printing , the areas to be printed and the printing form are on one level. The best known and most popular method of planographic printing is currently offset printing . It is characterized by high speed and cost-effectiveness, which make it possible to inexpensively publish print products even in millions of copies in a short time. This process is ideal for printing books, daily newspapers, catalogues, flyers and other items that are to be printed in large quantities.

4. Print through

In the case of through-printing or screen printing , the ink is applied to the substrate through a fabric or a screen. This type of printing can be used to print any material in any form. This type of printing is very popular in the promotional products industry. Whether T-shirts, cotton bags, pens or umbrellas - with screen printing you can have almost anything printed in high quality.

5. Digital printing

The latest printing process is digital printing . A digital print template is created with the computer and transferred directly to the material to be printed using the printer. In contrast to offset printing, digital printing does not require a static printing form, which enables inexpensive printing in the smallest edition (from 1 piece). Digital printing has become firmly established in the areas of photo books, calendars, posters, sign printing, etc. A distinction is made between inkjet printing, laser printing, sublimation printing and 3D printing as printing techniques.

Printing method depending on the transmission path

Depending on the transmission path, a distinction is made between 2 printing processes - direct and indirect. The direct printing process means that the print motif is applied straight from the printing form to the print material. Direct printing processes include screen printing, flexographic printing, stamp printing, gravure printing and UV direct printing.

In the indirect printing process, the print image is first applied to an intermediate carrier (e.g. on a rubber blanket cylinder) and only then to the material to be printed. Letterset, pad printing and offset printing can be mentioned here.