Trykning

Trykning is the process of reproducing text and images by applying ink or another coating to a substrate, most commonly paper. It also covers printing on other materials such as textiles, plastics or metal, and encompasses a range of technologies from traditional to digital. The term is used in Swedish to describe both the craft and the industry of producing printed matter, including books, newspapers, packaging and promotional materials.

Historically, trykning began with early woodblock printing and evolved through movable type, which facilitated mass production of texts. In the 19th and 20th centuries, lithography, offset printing and gravure became dominant industrial methods, enabling high volumes and consistent quality. The late 20th century introduced digital printing, which uses electronically produced images and directly renders them on substrates, reducing setup time and enabling customization.

Main printing technologies include letterpress (relief printing using type or plates), offset printing (planographic printing with ink transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket to the substrate), gravure (engraved cylinders for high-detail images), screen printing (stencils and inks through a mesh), and flexography (flexible plates for packaging). Digital printing encompasses inkjet and laser processes. Prepress activities such as design, typesetting, color management and proofing, along with postpress finishing like binding and coating, are essential to the final product.

In modern practice, efficiency, color accuracy and sustainability drive choices between technologies. The industry increasingly emphasizes on-demand printing, shorter runs, and personalized or variable data printing, while innovations in inks, substrates and finishing expand the range of possible applications.