Digital Printing Technology 13 Digital Printing Technology

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. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

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 © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

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 © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

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 © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Digital Workflow Creation of text and images Importing text and images to create page layouts Imposition and sheet assembly of laid-out pages Platemaking and printing based on sheets on DI press © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Digital Workflow © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Digital Printing Methods Ink-jet printing is most common Other types: Electrostatic printing Ionography Magnetography Dye sublimation Thermal transfer © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

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 © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

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 © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Types of Ink-Jet Inks Aqueous inks Solvent inks UV-curable 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 © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

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 © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

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 © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

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 © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Electrophotography (www.PrintingTips.com, owned by Austec Data Inc. dba Tecstra Systems) © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

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) © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

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 © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

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 © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

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 © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Digital Printing Applications Variable data printing Distributed printing Digital asset management (DAM) © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

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 © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

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 © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

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 © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

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 © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

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 © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

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. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Review What 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. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Review What 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. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Review What is digital asset management? The protocol and resources established to handle all digital files and data. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Review What are three advantages of digital printing? Quick turnaround times, greater flexibility, and cost-effective printing for short color runs. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Continuous ink-jet printer Aqueous inks Inks that are based on a mixture of water, glycol, and dyes or pigments. Continuous ink-jet printer Printer in which a continuously circulating flow of ink through the printhead is maintained while the power is on. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Digital asset management (DAM) The protocol and resources established to handle all digital files and data. Digital printing technology Any reproduction technology that receives electronic files and uses dots for replication. Direct imaging (DI) The process of sending a digital file directly to a press without the use of traditional offset or computer-to-plate processes or chemistry. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Distributed printing A system of digital printing in which the electronic files for a job can be sent anywhere in the world, through a wide area network (WAN), for output. Commonly used for localized editions of newspapers and magazines. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Dye sublimation Electrophotography A type of thermography that uses heat and pressure to change solid dye particles on a ribbon into a gas to produce an image on a substrate. Electrophotography Printing process that uses a drum coated with chargeable photoconductors, dry or liquid toners, and a corona assembly to produce an image on a substrate. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Electrostatic printing A printing method that uses the forces of electric current and static electricity. It is commonly found in office copying machines. Machines capable of producing copies in multiple colors have become common in recent years. Ionography Printing process that uses an electron cartridge, a nonconductive surface, and a magnetic toner to produce an image on a substrate. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Ink-jet printing Magnetography A direct-to-paper technology that uses digital data to control streams of very fine droplets of ink or dye to produce images directly on paper or other substrates. Magnetography Printing process that uses a drum, magnetic toner, and high pressure to produce an image on a substrate. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Piezoelectric ink-jet printer Makeready The process of preparing a press for printing a job. Piezoelectric ink-jet printer Printer in which a piezocrystal is charged to cause pressure, which forces droplets of ink from the nozzle. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Software-as-a-service (SaaS) A type of data management system in which the data is managed and maintained externally. Clients access the data on demand using system-specific software and an internet connection. Solvent inks Inks that have a main ingredient of a solvent that evaporates and produces VOCs. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Thermal ink-jet printer Printer in which the ink is superheated to form a bubble, which expands through the firing chamber, forcing ink out of the nozzle. Thermal transfer A type of thermography that uses heat and pressure to change solid dye particles on multiple ribbons into a gas to produce an image on a substrate. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Variable data printing UV-curable inks Inks that are forced onto the substrate, then subjected to UV light to be polymerized. Variable data printing A digital printing process that enables quick and easy content changes at several points within a print run. The “on the fly” imaging resident allows customized and personalized printed materials to be produced. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.