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)

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