There are many different types of printing services, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. A good printer will have the knowledge and experience to recommend the most appropriate service for your needs.
There are many printing services that you can choose from. Some of them include:
Offset printing: This is the most common type of printing service and works by putting ink on a plate, which is then transferred onto paper. The ink adheres to the surface of the plate, which is then pressed against paper to leave a print. The quality of this type of printing can vary greatly depending on what kind of quality paper or cardstock you choose to print on.
Digital printing: Printing from an electronic file (DTP). This method can be done at home on your desktop printer or at a local print shop. The quality of the printed book depends on the quality of the printer used and how well it was calibrated before printing began. Digital printing is usually less expensive than offset printing because there are no plates or film negatives involved; however, if you want color prints, they will cost more than black & white prints.
Screen printing: Screen printing uses thin mesh stretched over frames called screens to make designs and pictures in layers of ink with each layer corresponding to another color in the design or picture being printed. These layers are then placed together on top of each other to create one large image that can be printed on anything from t-shirts to posters and much more!
Print on Demand (POD)
Printing from a digital file. When you order your book from Lightning Source, it’s printed and shipped to you. You have no inventory costs, so this is the least expensive way to go. There are several options for POD books with Lightning Source including softcover and hardcover books, as well as color or black and white pages.
Letterpress printing is very similar to digital printing but uses relief plates instead of digital plates, which gives it a unique look and feel. Letterpress also requires less time for production than digital, which can be important if you need something printed quickly!
Commercial Printing: This type of printing is typically done for businesses and organizations with high volume requirements. Commercial printers are generally equipped with large machinery that can handle multiple orders at once, and they often offer additional services such as design work and binding.
Short Run Printing: Short run printing involves printing small quantities of items, usually less than 500 copies per order. Short run printers often specialize in business cards or brochures, but some offer other types of printed materials as well.
Web-to-Print: Web-to-print (or eCommerce) websites allow customers to upload their artwork directly onto the site, which then sends it to the printer along with instructions on how to print it out. Many web-to-print sites also offer pre-designed templates that customers can use as a starting point for their projects. For more information on printers in Basingstoke, contact us.
