Printing Processes

Engraving is when letters and designs are cut or etched into a copper plate. The plate is then inked. The paper is forced against the plate with tremendous pressure, drawing the ink from the depressed areas. This produces the characteristic indented or bruised impression on the back of the paper.

Thermo printing is when freshly printed inks are dusted with a powder compound. After the excess powder on the non-printing areas is removed by vacuum, the sheet passes under a heater, which fuses the ink and powdered compound. The printing swells or raises to simulate the look of engraving.

Flat printing is technically known as Offset / Lithography and involves printing directly onto the page in spot colours or full colour printing. It is recognised by clean edges and smooth print.

Blind Embossing is similar to the Engraving process, but without ink. The plate is pressed into the paper creating a raised look to the text or design. Blind embossing requires thicker lines to produce a clear impression in the paper.

A fine fabric is stretched into a frame. Areas which are going to be printed are left uncovered, whereas the areas which will not be printed are sealed. Printing is accomplished when the ink is squeezed through the fine mesh of the screen onto paper. It is possible to create rich, shiny, opaque colours with silkscreen.