Printing Techniques

Jan 22, 2018
2 min read

There are many different types of printing within graphics, but here I have a list of 6 of the more popular techniques you would normally find.

Linocut- This printing technique is a version of woodcutting, that uses a sheet of linoleum, which can also be mounted on a wooden block, that is used as a relief surface. Pictures are carved out using different sized tools to create larger or smaller lines. They can use these pictures as stamps, and roll ink over the top to then press it onto a sheet of paper, and create a printed image. Lino printing takes quite a lot of time to create something, but once you have created it, you will always have the print, so you just need the ink. But also, with the blind embossing, you have the cut out still, which can be cut out of paper, and you don't need any ink or colour, however the machines that press the paper down are very expensive, and also the paper is not as visible as lino printing, so lino printing is overall better, because it can be used for more things.

Blind Embossing-

This is a printing technique that allows you to print an image onto paper by placing the image on slightly wet paper, and rolling a heavily waited roller over the top, to allow the image to press into the paper. This lifts the paper in the shape of the image, without using anything like ink or paint.

Screen Printing-

This is another printing technique that uses ink to help display an image onto paper. The picture is first cut out of paper and placed onto another sheet of paper, and then thick ink is put on a screen that is made out of mesh which the ink can just about get through. The screen is then placed over the picture, and the ink is then spread across the screen, allowing it to sink through onto the paper, without it getting under the paper that is on top so that an image can be made out.

Foam Printing-

This printing technique is very simple as it uses foam stuck to something like a piece of cardboard in a certain shape, and paint. Once the foam is stuck to the cardboard, all you have to do is paint onto the foam, and then you can print the image onto a piece of paper. Foam printing is a lot easier than other techniques such as screen printing, as its easier to get the materials you need. However, its quite a slow process, so in the long run, even though the materials are harder to get, it would be better to use screen printing if you have to create a mass product.