Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Things You Should Know About Printing Services

By Janice Chan

The popularity of print medium as an effective means of spreading information to people of all types is great even these days. The modern form of the printing services industry is a result of years of transformation and development in printing styles and processes. Today it can address almost any requirement of the customers related to printing and its ancillary requirements.

Bulk printing services through relief printing technology originated during the--00's when the world's very first printing press was invented by Gutenberg. In relief printing the printed impression appears raised from the background, just as you see in a rubber stamp. Relief printing is scarcely in use these days, though there are still some instances where it is used.

The industry has seen major transformation in the printing techniques used, and these changes were usually driven by progress in technology. There are many kinds of printing techniques available today and each has its own role and function. In fact, most customers now feel overwhelmed with the printing alternatives available in the market.

One of the most well known printing methods in the market today is offset printing. This technique uses a restricted quantity of ink to print the matter on metal plates first and then it transmits it onto paper. This type of printing is very cost effective and quick, and it is often preferred when big quantities of prints are required.

Other well known forms of printing that have developed over time are electrostatic printing, which can be compared to photocopying, and thermal printing, which creates the print by heating coated thermal paper selectively.

However, digital printing is the latest printing technique that is drawing a lot of popularity. As the name indicates, in this technique, images are created on a computer, which are then checked for correctness and are then printed. This method is flawless and fast, but it is best suited only for a restricted number of prints. As the printer can modify each print in this method, it can be used for computer form printing, where items such as receipts or invoices can be printed for different customers, with each having an identical format but varying contents.

Another vital evolution in printing has taken place with the arrival of the internet. There are a lot of companies in the market now, who permit you to order and modify prints straight through their websites, which is offering great convenience to the clients.

Printing has always taken quantum leaps whenever there has been a technological innovation. The good news is that this trend of change is not going to halt in the coming years and you will keep seeing advancements bring down the costs and improve the process.

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