That’s a Wrap on Print 

Technologies for 2022

This year we covered printing technologies, each with unique processes and benefits, used to print the wide range of products offered by The Print Cafe of LI. The best print technology for a project depends on the quality, quantity, material, and how the print will be used. The number of finished printed products needed (quantity) and how quickly they are needed (turnaround time) greatly influence the pricing and, ultimately, the chosen printing technology. After you identify your customer’s need and use case, you can match it to the best product set and print technology.

The 4over team uses the best print technology for each product to ensure the best mix of functionality, visual impact, quality, and cost. Let’s recap the three print technologies spotlighted this year: digital electrophotography (EP), offset lithography, and screen printing.

Digital Electrophotography
Digital EP uses an electrostatically charged metal drum to receive small particles of colored toner that are transferred to the substrate before the drum is cleaned for the next cycle. That means each image can be different from the next, which is ideal for any printing where variable data is required, like direct mail or personalized invitations. EP print quality can rival offset lithography but is better suited for smaller quantities due to costs and turnaround times.

	El  Electrophotography	Offset Lithography	Screen Printing
Benefits	Lower quantities Near offset print quality Fast turnaround Variable data printing In-line finishing Specialty colors Enhancement options, including coatings, varnishes, and foil	Higher quantities Low cost per page High image quality Specialty substrates Specialty colors Enhancement options, including coatings, varnishes, and foil	Lower quantities Range of materials beyond paper Single to multi-color printing Durable
Products	Business collateral (business cards, stationery, letterhead) Marketing collateral (brochures and flyers) Direct mail marketing Booklets Catalogs	Office collateral (business cards, stationery, letterhead) Marketing collateral (brochures and flyers) Direct mail marketing Booklets Catalogs	Presentation folders Coroplast yard signs Outdoor signage T-shirts and garments Industrial labels Wallpaper Promotional items

 

Offset Lithography
Offset lithography, commonly shorted to just offset or litho, is based on the fact that oil (in the inks) and water do not mix. Imaged areas of the metal printing plate receive the oil-based ink and transfer it to the paper. Offset printing is still the industry’s workhorse due to the range of materials it can print on and its efficiency, particularly for higher quantities. Offset is best used for run lengths at least in the thousands since additional processes, like plate making, are required compared to digital printing.

Screen Printing
Screen printing pushes ink through a stretched mesh screen onto the material below, leaving an image that sits on top of the substrate. T-shirts are often screen printed. The process can be used on a wide variety of materials, like fabric feather signs or coroplast yard signs, and is durable enough to withstand fading from UV light, weather, and other adverse conditions. For Information on any of these Processes Please give us a call at: 516-561-1468 or Visit Our Website at: www.printcafeli.com