Printing - Comparison of Printing Methods

Comparison of printing methods
printing process transfer method pressure applied drop size dynamic viscosity thickness of ink on substrate notes cost-effective run length
Offset printing rollers 1 MPa 40–100 Pa·s 0.5–1.5 µm high print quality >5,000 (A3 trim size, sheet-fed)

>30,000 (A3 trim size, web-fed)

Rotogravure rollers 3 MPa 0.05–0.2 Pa·s 0.8–8 µm thick ink layers possible,
excellent image reproduction,
edges of letters and lines are jagged
>500,000
Flexography rollers 0.3 MPa 0.05–0.5 Pa·s 0.8–2.5 µm high quality (now HD)
Letterpress printing platen 10 MPa 50–150 Pa·s 0.5–1.5 µm slow drying
Screen-printing pressing ink through holes in screen <12 µm versatile method,
low quality
Electrophotography electrostatics 5–10 µm thick ink
Inkjet printer thermal 5–30 pl 1–5 Pa·s <0.5 µm special paper required to reduce bleeding <350 (A3 trim size)
Inkjet printer piezoelectric 4–30 pl 5–20 Pa·s <0.5 µm special paper required to reduce bleeding <350 (A3 trim size)
Inkjet printer continuous 5–100 pl 1–5 Pa·s <0.5 µm special paper required to reduce bleeding <350 (A3 trim size)

Read more about this topic:  Printing

Famous quotes containing the words comparison, printing and/or methods:

    It is very important not to become hard. The artist must always have one skin too few in comparison to other people, so you feel the slightest wind.
    Shusha Guppy (b. 1938)

    The printing press was at first mistaken for an engine of immortality by everybody except Shakespeare.
    Marshall McLuhan (1911–1980)

    All good conversation, manners, and action, come from a spontaneity which forgets usages, and makes the moment great. Nature hates calculators; her methods are saltatory and impulsive.
    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)