BFC – Fulfillment – Technology – Automated Printing – 630-557-8060
While we live in the digital age, print media is still here to stay. Whether you’re a marketer or a business owner, printed content remains an effective way to reach new customers. There are multiple printing options which can at first seem a little overwhelming. Some printers, such as the conventional dot matrix, have consistently been overtaken by more appealing options. In the meantime, newer innovations such as 3D printers might be bit too costly for wide use. On this post, we’ll take a look at the main printing types and how these method work. Also, we’ll look at some examples for which they are ideal for.
Desktop Printing
Most everyone has at least some experience using a desktop printer. This can range from standard printers to bigger office models with multiple features able to complete copies at high speed. Desktop printers are typically available in three varieties: photo printers, inkjet printers and laser printers.
How Desktop Printers Work – Automated Printing
Desktop printers are typically for smaller to medium devices that link to wireless networks. Or, they connect via a cable in order to receive printing jobs from computers in the local area. Many home printers are in the form of inkjet printers, which produce images by squirting ink droplets onto paper.
Desktop printers are optimal for basic, one-time projects that can finish quickly. However, if you want a lot of content, professional quality or custom jobs, desktop printing is likely not the solution. In addition, desktop printing can become quite expensive. Particularly if the printer uses a single cartridge for all the colors. This mean the cartridge will require replacement when just one of the colors empties out.
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Commercial Digital Printing
This type of printing is sort of like desktop printing but on a much larger scale. Contemporary digital printers enable the user to print a wide variety of materials. For example, basic postcard flyers to complex 3D promotional items.
How Commercial Printers Work – Automated Printing
Digital printers make print images utilizing a process similar to a desktop printer does. The image begins as a digital file. Then, the printer puts toner directly on the paper’s surface. In the event you need a rush job or variable data printing, commercial digital printing is a wise choice. It’s both quick and cost-effective because there’s not a lot of equipment preparation for basic printing tasks. Certainly, each piece of a commercial digital printing run can be unique. However, if you want to print high-quality material digital print simply won’t appear as sharp as conventional ink printers.
Offset Lithography
Offset lithography machinery is probably what many of us picture when thinking of an industrial printing press. Its introduction to the markets dates to the 1950s. It remains to this day as among the most commonly-used industrial print processes.
How Offset Lithography Works
This printing process involves transferring images from a metal print plate to a rubber blanket. Next, the image rolls onto a printing surface, which is usually paper. Offset lithography is able to produce large amounts of print materials of very high quality. It does take more time to set up in comparison to a digital printing run. The process can be more expensive if you’re performing a shorter print run. This style is ideal for ongoing, larger-scale print projects which require top quality.
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Engraving
Engraving is among the oldest print processes that’s still in use. Wedding invitations or formal print materials are example of where you might see engraving in use.
How Engraving Works?
Engraving utilizes plates of copper of steel to print an image onto paper with the use of high pressure. This results in an image on the back side of the print sheet, which serves to symbolize the authenticity of the engraving. This variety of printing is a lot slower in comparison to other print processes and is fairly uncommon these days. It’s typically best for high-end artwork or typography. Along with desktop, commercial, offset lithography and engraving, there are still other printing processes. For instances, there is screen printing, flexography and thermography.
Paper Weight
The thickness of paper is what determines its weight. A higher number indicates a thicker paper, which reacts differently to ink in comparison to paper with a lower weight. Thicker paper with a greater weight is frequently known as cover stock. It can have a thickness comparable even to cardboard. A thinner variety of paper is sometimes known as text stock. It’s similar to the type of paper you’d see in a novel. Or, it can even be as thin as the paper used for old-fashioned phonebooks.
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Uncoated or Coated Paper
Uncoated paper features a matte finish and is suitable for writing on. It’s ideal for business cards, trade show flyers or other materials you might use for taking notes. During the printing process, the toner or ink seeps into the uncoated paper. That’s what supplies its colors with a soft, warmer feel.
Coated paper serves to make colors vibrant and results in a sharp appearance. Additionally, it’s glossy and resistant to spills. Consequently, that makes coated paper a good selection for printing materials that’ll be subject to the outdoor elements. For example, coated paper is ideal for materials like postcards, door hangers and self-mailers.
Why Printing Remains as Effective Marketing Strategy
Here are some of the common strategies marketing consultants typically pitch to their clients these days:
Social Media
The potential reach of social media is, obviously, significant. However, over-saturation can result in a decrease of that all-important “organic” connection with your customers. Consequently, you’ll soon need to pay in order to get potential customers to view your posts. Connection to a business is often tenuous. So although people might recall a campaign, they may not remember the business or the product the business sells.
Advertising
Without a doubt, buying digital ads can quickly start to get expensive. Also, conventional advertising such as radio simply doesn’t present the same targeting opportunities as other channels. Alternatively, printing is an excellent complement to these forms of digital avenues. Printing provides you with flexibility and it is very cost-effective. Furthermore, the final product is a tangible item that existing and potential customers may hold in their own hands. That makes them more likely to remember your business and your message.
Grow Your Business with Quality, Effective Print Marketing
Print offers durability that digital messaging cannot. The good news is that you don’t have to pick one or the other. Certainly, they’re most effective working together to develop marketing campaigns that connect with an audience.
Email Marketing
Perhaps you’ll successfully land a message into a potential customer’s inbox. However, your email marketing message may also end up in their spam folder too. Even if email marketing is at its most effective, average “open” rates are only around 20 percent. Average click-through rates are only about two or three percent.
For more helpful information on the benefits of Automated Printing and how it can grow your business, call BFC today. Our print, fulfillment and technology expertise applies to a wide variety of industries. Our staff is always ready to discuss your printing needs and provide answers to your questions.
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