Choosing the right printing style can elevate your packaging and leave a lasting impression on your customers. We’re bringing you three different print styles and how you can use them in your packaging journey. Read on to learn more!
Digital Print
speed, versatility, cost-effectiveness
This printing method is ideal for ideas that are going straight from your computer to paper. Imagine your home printer, but on a much larger and more sophisticated scale! These printers use either toners or inkjets to transfer the image from a digital file to your paper!
Digital printing is best for smaller print runs and projects with tighter deadlines since they require no plate setup. This print method is also used in variable data printing! We often use digital printing for initial product samples so you can get a snapshot of your packaging as soon as possible before committing to mass production.
Use for: flyers, brochures, product prototypes/samples
Offset Printing
quality, colour accuracy, large quantities
For larger volume orders and the highest level of colour accuracy, choose offset printing. This print style transfers an inked image to a rubber blanket which “offsets” the image to the surface you’re printing on. For this method, CMYK inks are used in layers to create different colours, which leads to more accurate colour matching.
We often see offset printing used for larger print runs and for projects that require more colour consistency, especially when using Pantone inks. The best part about offset printing is that it’s applicable to a variety of paper and ink types.
Use for: magazines, catalogues, high-end packaging
Screen Printing
bold, tactile, durable
Screen printing is an extremely versatile method that can produce vibrant colours across a variety of materials. A mesh screen with a stencil of the design is placed over the print surface. Ink is then scraped over the mesh through stencil onto the material below.
Applications of this method are often used on fabrics or uneven and unusually shaped surfaces. The application process also creates a slightly raised effect, giving the print a tactile finish! Similar to offset printing, this method deposits the ink in layers, but it isn’t necessarily restricted to CMYK! However, this style of print is best suited to simple designs.
Use for: reusable bags, t-shirts, signage
Letterpress
craftsmanship, elegance, luxury
Letterpress printing is a historic print method that’s seen a resurgence for its artisanal charm. Raised polymer or metal plates are coated in ink and then pressed firmly onto paper. The result is a distinct impression that stands out (literally!) on the paper’s surface. Using a letterpress didn’t always have to mean embossing though! Before the advent of digital print, this was the main way text and other images were printed!
Today, you’ll often see this method of printing used for small batch items to invoke a sense of luxury and elegance across a variety of flat (usually) paper surfaces.
Use for: business cards, wedding invitations, greeting cards
@salstudios Can you believe these invitations are printed without a single plug or motor? My letterpress is nearly 80 years old and runs entirely without electricity — just me, the press, and a little elbow grease. 💪 #letterpressinvitations #modernwedding #fineartprint #printmaking #weddinginspiration #stationery #handmadepaper #bridetobe ♬ original sound – Sally Thompson
Which Style Works Best For Me?
When choosing which of these print methods would be best suited for your business, it’s important to consider your budget, the size of the order, and your deadline. Ready to start your packaging journey, but aren’t sure what steps to take? Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable Business Development consultants!
