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Digital
Printing
Digital
Printing is a relatively new process of printing one-off
or short runs with minimal set-up costs. Images are
generated on a computer, and sent straight to the Digital
Printer which operates much like a colour bubble-jet
printer.
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The
advantages of this method of printing for the point-of-sale
industry are: |
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Almost
zero set-up cost to print (other than artwork
cost). |
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Cost
effectiveness of single print or very short
runs. |
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Ideally
suited to mock-ups or prototype production. |
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Ability
to print direct to papers, translucent films
or self-adhesive materials. |
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Disadvantages:
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Only
economical for very short runs |
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Need
to over-laminate each print to ensure image
stability. |
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Limited
range of substrates (some machines can print
to thicker rigid materials). |
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Step
1
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The
image is generated on computer (generally Apple
Mac based) as for any other print artwork and the
finished image is then sent to a RIP program, which
converts the image and produces output ready for
sending to the printer.
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Click
to view larger image |
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Step
2
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Step
2 - click
to view larger image |
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The
required material is loaded into the Digital Printer
(which are generally, but not always, roll-fed)
ready for printing.
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Step
3
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The
image is produced by printing the four primary
colours (Red, Blue, Yellow and Black) from ink
reservoirs carried on the printer head.
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Step
3 - click
to view larger image |
Step
4
The
finished image is removed from the printer and has an
over-laminate applied using a laminator comprising a
series of rollers. Laminates can be either gloss or
matt finish. A double-sided adhesive film can be applied
to the reverse of a plain print to turn it into a decal.
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Step
4 - click to view larger image |
Step
5
The
finished print is trimmed to size using either a knife
and straight-edge, or a guillotine.
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