In this process, the printing block is flat, with no raised or recessed areas. The design to be printed is transferred to a sensitive metal plate. The printing format is transferred to a rubber blanket and later to the printing carrier (indirect printing). An oxidation drying process with IR or UV rays is used. Cardboard and plastics are among the main applications.
In this process, ink is applied to the impressions on the printing cylinder, and the printed material takes on the color from these impressions. Drying is in a drying band at
ca. 60-70°C.
Digital printing processes include indigo, ink-jet, thermo-transfer, and laser printing.
Offset lithography is based on the principle that oil and water do not mix. A litho printing plate has non-image areas that absorb water. During printing, the plate is kept wet so that the ink, which is inherently greasy, is rejected by the wet areas and adheres to the image areas. The flexible plates, which can be made of a variety of materials, are attached to the plate cylinder. During every cycle of the press, the ink image is first transferred to a rubber surfaced blanket cylinder and from there to the substrate. The plate is kept moist throughout so that ink only adheres to image areas. This indirect method is the 'offset' after which the process is named.
Flexography is a versatile printing process that uses molded rubber or etched photo-polymer plates with a slightly raised image. The flexible plates are attached to a rotating plate cylinder. During every cycle of the press, an anilox roll transfers ink to the plate cylinder, which then transfers the ink directly to the substrate.
Screen printing is a form of printing where the screen is coated with a photosensitive coating and the surface which will be printed will be washed out of the coating. The process is very versatile as it can be used to print on almost any substrate or surface. Screen printing typically has ink coverage that is higher than in other printing methods.
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