13 Digital Printing Technology Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Learning Objectives Explain how.

13Digital Printing

Technology

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Learning Objectives

• Explain how digital processes have affected the graphic communications industry.

• Compare digital printing technologies.• Explain the practical uses of variable

data printing and distributed printing.• Recall the purpose of digital asset

management systems.• Summarize the advantages and

disadvantages of digital printing.


Digital Printing Overview

• Digital printing technology – Eliminates time-consuming and costly

preparation of film, plates, and inks– Provides customers with options that

bring professional printing closer to desktop

– Reduces number of workflow steps, making process simpler and more productive


Digital Printing Overview

• Digital technology is used to:– Create text– Capture or create

images– Create printing

plates– Apply ink or toner

• Major technologies include:– Electrostatic

technology– Ink-jet printing

technology


Direct Imaging (DI)

• Computer-to-press system• Eliminates production steps and

variables normally associated with offset processes

• Provide good image quality and reduced environmental footprint

• Reduces makeready time and improves productivity


Digital Workflow

1. Creation of text and images2. Importing text and images to create

page layouts3. Imposition and sheet assembly of

laid-out pages4. Platemaking and printing based on

sheets on DI press


Digital Workflow


Digital Printing Methods

• Ink-jet printing is most common• Other types:

– Electrostatic printing– Ionography– Magnetography– Dye sublimation– Thermal transfer


Ink-Jet Printing

• Uses digital data to control streams of droplets of ink or dye

• Mostly variable data printing of single or spot colors

• Three classifications– Desktop– Large format– Grand format


Types of Ink-Jet Printers

• Thermal ink-jet printers– Use electrical current, heat, and

nozzle to transfer ink to substrates

• Piezoelectric ink-jet printers– Use piezocrystals

• Continuous ink-jet printers– Use continuously circulating flow of

ink


Types of Ink-Jet Inks

• Aqueous inks– Withstand high temperatures without

affecting chemical makeup of ink

• Solvent inks– Have ingredients considered to be

high in VOCs

• UV-curable inks– Lack of VOCs


Volatile Organic Compounds• Chemical compounds that emit vapors at

normal room temperatures• Short term exposure to VOCs can cause:

– Irritation to eyes, nose, and throat

– Headaches, dizziness, or nausea

• If using products containing VOCs, follow all safety instructions


Types of Ink-Jet Printheads

• Fixed-head ink-jet printer– Built-in printhead– Printhead can be refilled when ink

runs out

• Disposable head ink-jet printer– Cartridge is replaced when ink runs

out


Electrophotography

• Most often seen in copiers• Most systems accommodate wide

range of papers• Some are being used to produce

content and contract proofing, including final output copies


Electrophotography

(www.PrintingTips.com, owned by Austec Data Inc. dba Tecstra Systems)


Ionography

• Used mainly for single- or spot-color printing

• Used for high-volume and variable data printing

(www.PrintingTips.com, owned by Austec Data Inc. dba Tecstra Systems)


Magnetography

• Image is converted to magnetic charge on drum that then attracts magnetized toner

• Faster than other types of systems• Commonly used for:

– Single- or spot-color printing– Barcodes– Other types of variable data printing


Dye Sublimation

• Type of thermography• Ribbon made of panels of CMY

pigments pass over heater• Pigments become gaseous and are

transferred to substrate below panels• Ink is dry as soon as it is done

printing• Panels cannot be reused


Thermal Transfer

• Type of thermography• Similar to dye sublimation• Printers use different ribbon for each

color• Used mainly for one-color printing• Newer systems have multiple ribbons

of different colors• Commonly used for color proofing


Digital Printing Applications

• Variable data printing• Distributed printing• Digital asset management (DAM)


Variable Data Printing

• Enables quick and easy content changes at several points within print run

• Basic template of printed material has certain sections designated as changeable fields

• Produces customized and personalized materials


Distributed Printing

• Electronic files are sent through WAN to be printed near point of distribution

• Using color management systems at both ends of process helps ensure color consistency


Digital Asset Management (DAM)

• Tasks include:– Downloading data– Processing data– Organizing data– Storing data– Transmitting data

• Software-as-a-service (SaaS)

• Data includes:– Design files– Templates– Images– Font files– Databases


Advantages and Disadvantages of Digital Printing

• Digital presses offer quick turnaround times, greater flexibility, and cost-effective printing for short color runs

• Eliminating much of traditional press preparation reduces overall cost of short color runs

• Most digital presses do not produce high enough quality


Electronic Media Waste• When computers and other types of

electronics are thrown out, they become e-waste

• E-waste is fastest growing cause of toxic waste in United States

• Toxic chemicals found in e-waste can consist of lead and mercury


Review

What is direct imaging (DI)?

The process of sending digital files directly to press without use of traditional offset or computer-to-plate processes or chemistry.


ReviewWhat are two types of thermography? How do they differ?

The two types are dye sublimation and thermal transfer. Dye sublimation printers use a ribbon of panels of colored solid pigment. Thermal transfer printers use a different ribbon for each color.


ReviewWhat is variable data printing? What is it used for?

A type of printing that enables quick and easy content changes at several points within a print run. It allows customized and personalized materials to be produced.


Review

What is digital asset management?

The protocol and resources established to handle all digital files and data.


Review

What are three advantages of digital printing?

Quick turnaround times, greater flexibility, and cost-effective printing for short color runs.

13 Digital Printing Technology Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Learning Objectives Explain how.

Documents

educational use

flow of ink slide

types of ink

digital printing technologies

printing plates

commoninkjet printing

digital workflow slide

distributed printing