Use of digital printing is on the up and looks set to increase even further over the next few years. In comparison with traditional printing methods, there are many advantages to digital printing, particularly when the material we wish to print onto is plastic. Indeed, we are using an increasingly wider range of plastics with this method, precisely because we can make the most of its huge potential.
THE GROWING TREND IN DIGITAL PRINTING
The rate at which the use of digital printing has grown over the years is really quite staggering.
The move to digital printing techniques began in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s and, nowadays, it is an essential resource for promoting companies of all kinds and at all levels.
It is easy to understand why printers have chosen to move over to digital options. In addition to that fact that it gives us the option of being far more creative with our graphic designs, with digital printing we can manage jobs much more efficiently and with far greater precision.
CUSTOMISATION IS KEY IN THIS UPWARD TREND
So why is digital printing particularly popular right now? Some experts believe that digital printing has played a key role in shaping business philosophy in favour of client interests. Customised and unique printing and packaging solutions help us reach our clients and deliver improved results in publicity and sales campaigns.
For example, some studies state that zoomers (Generation Z) actively look for customised products that clearly share their values. These factors boost the likelihood of a sale or consumption.
With digital printing methods, we can get the customised designs we want and use them on practically any product in any sector. We can use this to enhance customer relations and improve our chances of increasing sales.
In addition to the customisation that we can achieve with digital printing, there is also a sustainability factor. We are increasingly using sustainable materials as the medium for printing our exclusive designs.
In addition, digital printing is more environmentally friendly than alternative options. For example, we can indicate exactly how much printed material we need for a job and this decreases the waste we generate. If we compare it to other printing systems, there is hardly any waste, since there is no need to perform fit tuning in digital printing.
But, of course, there are many additional advantages. The speed at which we can print jobs and the extraordinary quality of the results puts digital printing at the cutting edge of printing techniques and has a promising future ahead.
DIGITAL PRINTING ON PLASTIC
The search for new materials on which to print is taking digital printing on a journey towards use of non-textile packaging and the results are very impressive.
When it comes to materials other than textiles, plastic is one of the ones we use the most. The enhanced visual impact when we use non-textile materials is one of the reasons why digital printing is experiencing this change of direction.
THE ADVANTAGES OF CHOOSING DIGITAL PRINTING ON PLASTIC
Out of all the alternatives to textile packaging, plastic is in the lead because of all the advantages it affords.
First of all, we do not need to use any other support materials during printing. Current digital printing machines can print directly onto plastic.
This digital technology also implies decreased costs and a quicker turnaround because we no longer need to use templates, artwork, plates and other elements to get an idea of what the final printed product will look like. As with all printing systems, we do need to have colour samples to achieve the desired result.
As mentioned, digital printing is a more sustainable choice and it prints directly onto the material. When we print onto plastic, we can do so using fewer chemical substances and caustic inks.
In fact, progress in printing onto plastic packaging and other kinds of packaging is giving rise to innovative techniques such as use of ultraviolet (UV) inks.
There is a chemical reaction when the printed work is exposed to ultraviolet light and, thanks to the temperature, it dries almost immediately. Since the ink dries as it is printed, not only does this speed the process up, it also means that the ink adheres to the material much more efficiently.
This is yet another example of how digital printing affords us any number of possibilities with very important advantages such as lower costs and less time but, above all, professional-grade quality printing that remains unrivalled.
If you would like to find out more about this printing technique, do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We will be pleased to answer all your questions.
