The production of printed matter includes six basic printing methods: letterpress printing; gravure; Lithography; Screen printing; Heat transfer printing; Inkjet printing.

Among them, the first three printing methods are widely used, and the printed matter produced by the first three methods accounts for a large part of the printed matter produced every year.

1、 Relief printing

When the ink is applied to the raised surface and pressed on the inked surface with a piece of paper, the ink is transferred to the paper. The method of printing using this principle is called relief printing.

2、 Gravure printing

Relief printing transfers ink from a raised surface to the paper, while gravure printing is the opposite. In gravure printing, ink is transferred from a concave surface to the paper, and the graphic part of the gravure is lower than or trapped on the surface of the printing plate. In the printing process, first apply ink on the surface of the whole printing plate, and then wipe the plate clean, so that the ink is left in the concave part of the printing plate. Then press the paper on the printing plate, and the ink is transferred to the paper.

3、 Lithography (also commonly known as offset printing)

Lithography uses the principle of mutual exclusion between water and ink. The image part of the printing plate absorbs ink, while the non image part absorbs water and repels ink

4、 Screen printing (also known as hole printing and screen printing)

Screen printing, also known as screen printing or screen printing, belongs to hole printing. Screen printing plate is a multi empty screen template.

One printing method is to press the ink through the hole of the perforated plate for printing, while the common way of printing with perforated plate is screen printing. This method is also known as perforated plate printing and screen printing.

5、 Heat transfer printing

Heat transfer printing is also called sublimation printing. In fact, it is not a new printing process. Only in recent years has this process developed rapidly.

Modern heat transfer printing must first use special ink and, in some cases, special paper. We put the dried printed text on the fabric and heat it. When it reaches about 199 ℃, the ink changes from solid to vapor (sublimation). This allows fuel to enter the fabric fibers and color them.

6、 Inkjet printing

Inkjet printing is a non-contact printing process. It does not need a printing surface such as movable type, printing plate or film made by photographic method. The original to be printed is directly given by the computer. The microcomputer on the inkjet printer controls the ink flow on the printing head. According to the instruction, the ink particles are ejected from the nozzle and form characters or images.