If you’ve ever needed business brochures or large quantities of posters printed, you’ve probably used commercial printing services. Businesses and organizations rely on commercial printing shops to handle their printing needs in a professional and efficient manner. But what is a commercial printing, and who requires it? Continue reading to learn more about this amazing process, including where it might be heading in the near future and other useful information.
What is Commercial Printing?
You may think you understand commercial printing, but there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye. At its core, commercial printing is the process of producing high-quality printed materials using large-format printing machines. This can range from business cards and flyers to larger items such as banners and posters. Commercial printing is typically done on a much larger scale than traditional printing, and it frequently employs specialized ink and paper to produce a more professional result.
Types of Commercial Printing
Customers can choose from several types of commercial printing, the most common of which are as follows:
Offset Printing
Offset printing, also known as lithography printing, is the most common type of commercial printing and the most cost-effective option for large quantities of high-quality prints. Short runs are possible, but the setup time and cost make it ideal for large jobs. An inked image is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket, which is then transferred to the printing surface. Offset printing has a wide range of colours and is commonly used for magazines, brochures, stationery, and sell sheets.
Digital Printing
Because it is much faster and easier than offset printing, this is the print job of choice for short runs and those requiring a quick turnaround. Furthermore, because digital printing does not require the use of plates, it is less expensive than offset printing. The method is also ideal for variable data printing, a type of on-demand printing in which elements such as images, graphics, and text can differ from one printed item to the next.
Large Format Printing
Large-format printing, as the name implies, is used to print very large documents such as indoor and outdoor posters and banners. It’s frequently used for outdoor advertising because it can produce high-quality, weather-resistant prints. Large-format printing is also useful for repeat banners/backdrops, wall decor, photo canvas prints, and other applications.
Flexography
Flexography is a rotary printing technique that applies ink to a surface using flexible rubber or other elastomeric printing plates. It is popular in the food industry because the inks used in the process are safe for use on food-contact wrappers, labels, and cartons.
Gravure
Gravure is a type of intaglio printing that involves engraving the image to be printed onto a metal plate. It is frequently used for long print runs because it produces high-quality prints with minimal wear and tear on the printing plates.
LED UV Printing
This is a newer type of commercial printing that cures the ink with a special UV light. It is gaining popularity because it is very environmentally friendly and produces colour enhancement that is resistant to bleeding. LED UV Printing is used on a variety of materials, but it is relatively expensive when compared to the other options on this list.
5 Printer Types Used in Commercial Printing
The type of printer you use will be determined by the commercial printing process. The following are the top manufacturers for each type:
1. Offset Printing Presses
Heidelberg, Manroland, Canon, and Konica Minolta are among the companies that sell offset printing presses.
2. Digital Printers
Commercial digital printing is provided by a variety of companies, including Canon and Inka. Darrtam Print Solutions uses high-end digital presses to achieve the highest possible quality during digital printing.
3. Large Format Printers
According to Business Wire, Mimaki, Canon, EPSON, and Roland accounted for nearly 90% of the market in terms of large-format printer shipments in 2016.
4. Flexographic Presses
KYMC, SRM, Bobst, Mark Andy, and W & H are among the companies that manufacture flexographic presses.
5. LED UV Printers
Companies such as Roland, BesJet, Inca Digital, EFI, and Mimaki manufacture the most popular LED UV printers on the market.
11 Industries That Make Use of Commercial Printing Services
A variety of businesses and organizations, including (but not limited to):
- Ad agencies
- Architects
- Auto dealers
- Book publishers
- Corporations of all sizes
- Government agencies
- Graphic designers
- Hospitality
- Medical research
- Nonprofit organizations
- Real estate
What Are the Printing Process Steps?
The printing process varies depending on the type of commercial printing used, but there are some steps that are typically involved. You can learn more about the steps involved in the digital printing process by visiting our website’s Digital Printing page.
Commercial Printing’s Future
Commercial printing is constantly evolving as new technologies and applications are discovered. To stay ahead of the competition, innovations will be required, and those who embrace change will be the most successful.
Here are a few notable trends influencing the commercial printing industry right now:
Increased demand: Printing companies can expect increased demand for promotional materials from the retail, food, and beverage markets in the coming years. According to a recent study, the global market for luxury packaging will reach $25.4 million by 2031, representing a 4.4% annual growth rate from 2021.
More eco-friendly initiatives: Going green in commercial printing is becoming more popular, and processes are expected to transition to more sustainable systems. Many commercial printing shops, for example, use recycled paper in their operations. Expect to see more vegetable oil-based inks in the process as well, as they are less harmful to the environment than traditional inks.
Digital printing innovation: Advances in digital print technology are being driven by the desire for faster runs at a lower cost. Indeed, it is one of the primary drivers of change in the printing industry. According to MarketsandMarkets, digital printing will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7%, from $24.8 billion in 2021 to $34.3 billion by 2026.
Definitions of Common Commercial Printing Terms
Commercial printing may use jargon that those outside the industry are unfamiliar with. Here are some terms you may encounter when doing commercial printing:
Analog printing – Offset lithography, flexography, and gravure are examples of traditional commercial printing methods.
Digital Printing – Digital printing is a type of commercial printing in which images are printed directly onto a substrate using digital technology.
Giclée – Giclée (pronounced “zhee-clay”) is a high-quality inkjet printing technique that is commonly used for fine art or photography.
Prepress – The process of preparing files for commercial printing is known as prepress, and it typically includes tasks such as proofing, colour correction, and file conversion.
Bleed – This occurs when an image or colour extends beyond the page’s edge.
Die-cut – A die-cut image is one that has been cut out with a specially shaped blade.
Embossing – Embossing is a type of printing that produces raised images on a substrate.
Foil stamping – Foil stamping is a type of printing that applies foil to a substrate using heat and pressure.
Proof – Proof is a printout of your file that allows you to check for errors before final printing.
Screen Printing – Screen printing is a type of commercial printing that transfers an image onto a substrate using a stencil and mesh screen.
Contact Darrtam Print Solutions Today For a Quick and Accurate Quote.
If you have any questions about the printing process or would like a quote for your next project, contact Darrtam Print Solutions. We provide a variety of commercial printing services and would be delighted to assist you with your next project. To get started, call us at 0407 638 391 or fill out our online quote form.
As your large format printing specialist, Darrtam Print Solutions can take care of your business signage and vehicle signage, A Frames, stickers, vinyl cut lettering and more.
Based on Brisbane’s Northside, we can design, print and install your signage with your choice of colours, sizing and finish options.
We even offer affordable graphic design and printing solutions for business start-ups, SME’s and large scale operations across all industries.
Want to know more? Contact us on 0407 638 391 or message us online.
