Identify Printing Processes
Lithography/Offset Paper substrate High Quality Inks dry incompletely (by absorption of paper) This causes ink from newspaper to rub off on hands.
Gravure / Etching High Quality Continuous-image products Gift Wrap Vinyl Floor Covering Wallpaper Long-Run Publications Catalogs Retail Inserts
Lithography / Offset fingerprint Type and Line Art are smooth when magnified with loupe. Relatively smooth edges on the type and no “halos”
Gravure / Etching fingerprint Type and Line Art have serrated edges when magnified with loupe. The serrated edges around the type are a sure sign that it is gravure.
Flexography Plastic Substrates Packaging Material Some newspapers Can print on smooth and rough substrates
Flexography fingerprint A “halo” pattern is noticeable on lower end of packaging material. Lighter ring appears around edges.
Screen Printing Used for outdoor products Used for non-paper substrates Used for non-flat substrates
Use logical deductions… Identify the substrate Consider the volume of printing (how many were printed?) Is there pattern repeated (gift wrap) Look at the “fingerprint” using a loupe.