Digital printing is one of the simplest and most cost-effective printing techniques. It maps out an image onto a chosen surface - whether that be a shirt, mug or bag - and then using minute droplets of ink transfers the design. Unlike screen printing, which requires complex setups and materials, digital printers run on simple equipment and are a much cheaper alternative. This makes it a great option for smaller runs and is ideal for Print on Demand services.
The earliest types of digital printers used electrophotography, a process where powdered pigmented toner is picked up by an electric drum and rolled on the paper or material to create the desired print. The result is a smooth, flat print that’s more resistant to moisture. This method is also called toner-based digital printing, and it’s been around since the 1950s.
Today’s digital printers use inks or pigments to produce images on a wide variety of surfaces including paper, glass, canvas, metal, marble and fabric. The toner or ink is transferred to the surface by a fuser fluid with heat process and then a UV curing process that ensures it’s bonded to the substrate firmly. Inkjet and laser printers are the most popular forms of digital printing, found in offices and private homes. They are also the most economical forms of digital printing and can be used to print a single item, making them a great choice for Print on Demand services.
Unlike other types of printing, digital printing uses a computer to map out the pattern on the substrate and then deposits microscopic drops of ink to create that design. It’s able to reproduce any colour from the standard CMYK palette and also allows for extra so-called spot colours, which can be added for more precise or specific hues.
Inkjet and laser digital printing can be used to print on a wide range of different materials, from paper and plastic to vinyl, canvas and back-lit fabrics. However, not all of these materials are suitable for digital printing, as certain inks or pigments may bleed or flake off the material.
Pigment ink is the most commonly used ink for digital printing, as it can be printed on most textiles and can achieve bright, vivid colours. Nevertheless, this type of ink can bleed or fade on the fabric and is not as abrasion-resistant as the reactive dyes used in some other digital printing methods.
When it comes to digital printing materials, the most important thing is to find the right printer for your project. If you’re going to go with a digital print, it’s important to choose an expert provider that has invested in the best technology and can provide you with excellent results. Jolybar’s coating treatment center is an HP Indigo certified facility and provides high-quality digital printing on a wide range of materials including plastisol, latex and flex.
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