Digital printing works by transferring an image directly onto the media substrate from a digital file, unlike traditional methods that use plates.
Understanding the Digital Printing Process
Digital printing fundamentally changes how ink or toner is applied to the printing surface. Instead of relying on fixed metal plates that are etched with the image and used repeatedly for each print run, digital printing technology bypasses this step entirely.
Here's the core concept based on the reference:
- Direct-to-Media Transfer: Digital printing presses take the image data directly from a computer file. There are no metal plates involved in the transfer process.
- Image Application: The digital printing press prints the image directly onto the media substrate. This substrate can be paper, cardboard, fabric, or other materials.
- Flexibility: Because there are no plates, digital printing is highly flexible. Each print can potentially be different (variable data printing), and setup time for different jobs is minimal.
Digital Printing vs. Traditional Offset Printing
The key difference highlighted is the absence of plates in the digital workflow:
- Digital Printing: Prints directly from digital file.
- Offset Printing: Uses metal plates to transfer ink to a rubber blanket, which then transfers to the paper.
This direct process is a defining characteristic of how digital printing operates.
Advancements in Digital Printing
The reference notes that digital production print technology is evolving quickly. This continuous advancement means that the quality of output from digital presses is improving continuously. This leads to digital print quality that is increasingly able to mimic offset printing, offering high-quality results without the setup costs and time associated with plates.
