printing

Printing is the process of producing copies of digital or non-digital content by transferring ink, dye, or toner to a substrate, typically paper. The practice emerged in China with woodblock printing and evolved into movable type in Europe, culminating in the printing press of the 15th century. Modern printing encompasses multiple technologies grouped into traditional methods and digital printing.

The major families are relief printing (letterpress), intaglio (gravure), lithography (offset), and screen printing. Offset lithography is the dominant method for commercial printing, using water and oil repulsion to transfer an image from a plate to a rubber blanket then to paper. Gravure engraves an image on a cylinder and is efficient for high-volume work; screen printing pushes ink through a mesh and is versatile for textiles and signage. Letterpress uses raised type and is often used for decorative work today.

Digital printing uses laser or inkjet devices to produce images directly from digital files, enabling short runs and customization. In packaging, flexography is common. Substrates range from various papers to plastics, metals, and textiles. Inks may be dye- or pigment-based; color is typically managed in CMYK with possible spot colors or Pantone matching. Print quality is described by resolution (DPI or PPI), color fidelity, registration, and finishing quality.

Postpress finishing includes cutting, folding, binding, lamination, and binding for books. The printing industry emphasizes prepress workflows, proofing, plate or digital file preparation, press operation, and quality control. Environmental considerations focus on paper sourcing, recycling, ink formulations, and energy use.