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What is Digital Printing?

Digital printing

Printing used to be an involved— and in some cases, complex— process that was time-consuming and costly. There were several limits to what you could and could not print. However, with the development of digital printing, that began to change.

Digital printing is a reliable and trusted process of printing unique and detailed images. But what is digital printing, and how does it work?

This article details what you need to know to understand digital printing, from how it functions to its best printing uses and more. For personalised advice, contact our team at Gorilla Print today.

Digital Printing Explained

Digital printing was a revolutionary change to the printing industry that began in the 1990s. Traditional printing methods required images to be inked or etched into printing plates which were then used to transfer the image to paper. Digital printing changed this by printing directly onto the substrate, removing the need for printing plates in the process. Over the years it has slowly been perfected to be able to complete more complex digital printing tasks.

With today’s technology, the process has been simplified so anyone can benefit from it. To complete any printing task, you only need a clean image that’s sized correctly, and then send it to the printer. Digital printers can also be used on several different materials, making them incredibly versatile. For instance, they can print directly on paper, canvas, fabric, and even mugs and other items.

Different Digital Printing Methods

There are several different types of digital printing techniques to choose from. Each digital printing method is beneficial for different types of projects. Here, we’ll detail each method so you can identify which might be most useful to you.

1. Inkjet and Laser Printing

Inkjet and laser printing are some of the most common forms of digital printing. Depending on the type, they either spray the ink, as seen in inkjet printers or use static to transfer ink powder to the substrate surface, as seen in laser printing.

These printers are readily available and can be found anywhere from private homes to offices, libraries, and more.

2. Solid Ink Printing

Solid ink printing is the process of using wax-like, solidified ink to print instead of using liquid or powder. During printing, this ink is melted to produce the image and then placed onto the substrate to print.

This method is ideal for advertisements as the waxy qualities of the ink create a glossy and long-lasting image. Many graphic designers prefer this method of digital printing as it is more cost-effective in the long term for their designs.

3. Dye Sublimation Printing

Dye sublimation printing uses heat to transfer ink to apply images to different substrates, often fabrics. Initially, the ink is applied to transfer paper to create an image. This paper is printed onto the substrate using heat which bonds the ink closely to the substrate material.

This is commonly used to print images onto apparel, but can also be used on banners and other accessories.

The Benefits of Digital Printing

Digital printing has many different benefits. It is ideal for short print runs or smaller projects, especially if you want fast results. Likewise, it is incredibly convenient and easy to use. You only need to be able to send a digital image to the printer to begin printing.

This method also allows you to personalise your work more efficiently, as digital images are easier to edit. This means you can tailor your project to meet your needs, allowing you to customise images or correct any errors directly and quickly so mistakes are less costly.

Digital printing is also an extremely cost-effective printing option. Because they are so common, replacing inks or repairing your printer is less expensive. Similarly, due to their lack of specialised metal plates, maintenance tends to be cheaper overall, reducing your long-term printing costs.

Are You Ready to Start Digital Printing?

Digital printing is a great way to complete high-quality projects. With specialised support, you can create an endless variety of products and merchandise from mugs and t-shirt printing to business cards and banners. No matter what your needs are, digital printing is a cost-effective and reliable solution.

If you’re ready to start printing digitally, consider reaching out to our team at Gorilla Print today. We have the expertise you need to get stunning results every time. From design to production, we can oversee the entire printing process to streamline your experience.

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