Whether you’re designing for a wedding invitation or a company brochure, choosing the right paper is critical in getting the best printing results. To guide you with what technique is most suitable for your needs, we made a list of tips to narrow down your options.
1. Engraving
If you’re planning to achieve an engraving effect, the best paper option for you is a thick paper, such as cotton paper. You can also choose any other thick paper that is sturdy enough not to break apart in the engraving process. In engraving, a metal plate that is filled with ink is etched with the intended design. When you press the plate on the paper to receive the ink, it creates a multi-dimensional raised look of the design.
The engraving represents elegance and prestige, which is usually a requirement for formal events. It is one of the most expensive printing methods because it requires more steps to produce a final product. It uses a very dense and thick ink, which also adds to its price.
In determining what colours to use, it’s best to limit to one or two colours only since each colour will require a separate plate on the printing press. Engraving is an incredibly long process, compared to the other printing techniques. The turnaround time ranges from two to six weeks to complete, given the complexity of its printing process.
2. Thermography
A cheaper alternative to engraving is thermography. It creates almost the same effect of engraving, except that there is no indentation at the back part of the paper. The lettering is also shiny compared to the matte printing in engraving.
Printing through thermography requires the combination of ink and resinous powder. Thermography uses a heat-based process to create the raised design. This process requires the same thickness for the paper to withstand the pressure.
Thermography is best used for weddings or other extravagant formal events because of its shimmering look. It looks the same as engraving but with less cost. It also has an easier process, thus the quicker turnaround time. If you are in a tighter budget who wants the same effect as engraving, then thermography is for you. The only downside is that you can’t use shimmery paper since the design itself will have shiny effects. You also cannot print full-coloured images, except for small graphics, such as patterns.
3. Digital Printing
Digital printing is the most common technique in printing. If you are tech-savvy, you can produce the same effect as your home laser printer. However, if you are in a tight schedule and you have no time for errors and mistakes, it’s best to get professional printing services. They can assure you of the prompt delivery time and high quality of your volume demands.
Digital printing is a versatile technique that allows you to be creative with your design. It can also achieve the engraving or thermography look but without the actual indentation of the paper. The process is quicker than the rest of the mentioned techniques. It’s best to use thin paper to allow the printer to transition through the feeder to make the process smoother and quicker. Among the techniques, this is the least expensive option, which requires only a few days of production.
Conclusion
Various printing techniques work only on selected paper types. Thus, it’s essential to know if the techniques you intend to use, such as engraving, thermography, and digital printing, will have effective results in your paper.
If you are looking for printing services in London in London, England, get in touch with us to see how we can help.
