Percetakan

Percetakan refers to the processes, facilities, and services involved in reproducing text and images on various substrates, most commonly paper. It encompasses design preparation, printing, and finishing operations that transform digital or manual artwork into physical products such as books, magazines, packaging, and promotional materials.

The printing industry has roots in early movable type and woodblock techniques, with Gutenberg's press often cited as a turning point. The advent of mechanized presses in the 19th and 20th centuries greatly increased throughput, enabling mass communication. The late 20th century saw digital printing and desktop publishing, which shifted workflows toward file-based preparation, on-demand production, and shorter lead times.

Common printing methods include offset printing, digital printing, screen printing, gravure, and flexography. Offset printing remains dominant for long runs of books, manuals, and packaging, using metal plates to transfer ink to a rubber blanket before reaching the substrate. Digital printing directly reproduces from electronic files, ideal for short runs and customized outputs. Screen printing suits textiles and specialty surfaces; gravure offers high-volume, high-speed production; flexography is widely used for flexible packaging and labels.

Typical workflow comprises prepress (color management, proofs, retouching), press (setup, ink control, drying or curing), and postpress (cutting, folding, binding, lamination). Color accuracy is supported by standards, ICC profiles, and process control.

Substrates include various papers, cardboard, plastics, textiles, and coatings. Inks vary from water-based to oil-based, UV-curable, and pigment-based formulations, chosen for substrate compatibility and finish requirements.

Percetakan serves industries such as publishing, packaging, advertising, and textiles, with providers ranging from small local shops to large commercial printers. Sustainability concerns drive efforts in waste reduction, recycling, and the use of environmentally friendly inks and processes, alongside advances in digital technology and on-demand production.