Printing once centered around text, now it is about disseminating information in various forms. From newsstand products to vinyl laminated advertisements splayed across buses the commercial printing industry continues to evolve.

Lithography, digital printing, flexography, gravure, and screen printing are the five major printing industries. They differ in their technology, size, and capabilities.

1. Lithography

Printing industries provide a range of products and services to businesses and consumers. They print everything from newspapers and books to memo pads, business order forms, letterheads, postcards, checks, maps, and T-shirts. The industry also includes establishments that perform support activities such as data imaging and platemaking services.

Lithography is a printing process first discovered by Senefelder in 1796. The term “lithography” is derived from the Greek words lithos meaning stone and graphein, which means to write or draw. The original lithographic process involved drawing an image with oil, fat, or wax on a smooth lithographic limestone slab. Then, the non-image areas were treated with a mixture of gum arabic and acid, making them receptive to water but repelling oil.

The lithographic printing process is very versatile and can be used to create various styles of art. With proper training it can produce works that resemble a pencil drawing or be very bold and dramatic. It is the dominant printing technique for medium and high-volume print runs such as magazines, books, posters, packaging, and maps.

2. Digital Printing

Digital printing is a plateless printing method that prints directly from a digital-based image onto different types of media like paper, canvas, and fabric. It is a fast and flexible method that is a powerful addition to traditional printing methods.

This printing method is becoming more popular as it allows for quick customization of a wide variety of items. It is also more environmentally friendly than other printing methods as it uses less paper and ink. Consumers are increasingly drawn to eco-friendly practices and as such companies that embrace these values can attract a more diverse client base.

Digital printing also guarantees a high standard of quality, complete with full color and gradation. It is the only method that offers flawless colour registration and can produce spot colours (like metallic and fluorescent) as well as CMYK four-colour printing. The flexibility of digital printing is another key selling point, especially for small businesses that need to print a variety of different materials and products for their targeted market segments. This makes it a great option for prototyping and low-volume production runs.

3. Gravure Printing

Gravure is a long-run printing method that produces high-quality prints. It’s most commonly used for porous substrates such as paper, fabric and wallpaper printing. However, it can also be used for high-speed roll-to-roll applications including gift-wrap and corrugated board.

The ink in a gravure press is applied via recessed areas on an image carrier that is etched into a metal plate, typically copper plated and then chromed, that rotates inside the printing press. The engraved cells are filled with ink and then a rubber-covered roller applies it to the printed substrate. A doctor blade is then brought across the surface to scrape off any excess ink that has accumulated outside of the engraved cells.

The cylinders used in gravure printing are extremely durable, with print runs of 2 million to 3 million being possible from one cylinder set. This makes gravure printing an ideal solution for high-volume print jobs. With this demand expected to continue, many cylinder engraving companies are working on improving the cost and speed of producing these cylinders in order to make the process more affordable for short run jobs.

4. Screen Printing

Screen printing is one of the most popular forms of commercial printing. It offers more flexibility than other methods and allows you to print on a wide variety of materials, including paper, plastic, metal, and fabrics. This is the method that makes T-shirts and other clothing items, and it’s also a common technique for posters and other prints that need to have a high level of color vibrancy.

The process involves adhering a stencil to a mesh screen, which is then filled with ink. A squeegee then presses over the screen, which transfers the inked image onto the surface of the product being printed. This can be done manually or with a semi-automatic or fully automatic printing press.

Using a stencil is one of the most important parts of this process. It’s a great way to make sure your design looks good and doesn’t have any gaps or areas where the ink isn’t pressing. Screen printing is a versatile and flexible form of printing, and it’s a favorite for people who want to create their own clothing lines and other products with unique designs.

5. Offset Printing

The most popular form of high volume commercial printing, offset lithography uses a system that transfers an inked image from a metal plate to a rubber blanket and then to the paper. The resulting prints are very high quality and relatively economical. This technique is used for large print runs like brochures, business cards and posters.

Offset printing has the advantage of allowing for the use of many different kinds of papers. It can even print on non-paper materials, including plastics, metals and cellophane. This makes it a good choice for packaging and labels, which are increasingly moving from photogravure or rotogravure to digital printing.

One of the biggest pros of offset printing is the ability to make four color process prints. While digital can simulate this with software, offset printers have access to the actual Pantone inks. This helps ensure that the colors printed will match exactly.