What is Full Colour Digital Printing?
In its broadest sense, full colour digital printing enables photorealistic images to be printed directly onto the surface of a product without the use of transfers or sublimation processes. A highly detailed brand logo or corporate identity can be applied to a range of substrates, therefore opening the potential to utilise promotional merchandise as a tool with which to deliver a truly integrated campaign message to your target audience.
Full Colour Digital Printing is also referred to as 4 Colour Digital Printing Process or CMYK – Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black being the four ink colours used in the process. Cyan, Magenta and Yellow are the three main pigments used for colour reproduction, a Black separation is also created to give shadow and contrast to the printed image.
The Development of Full Colour Printing
Full Colour Printing onto Polymers has historically been restricted to CMYK Pad Printing – a plate system to create colour from the makeup of the CMYK spectrum. However, the traditional plate system is highly restrictive and loaded with cost.
Developments in CMYK Ink Jet technology revolutionised full colour printing utilising a UV curing process and UV Inks to deliver an output that far exceeds that of the CMYK Plate System. CMYK Ink Jet technology is so accurate, it can place a single droplet of ink, point 1 of a millimetre, directly on top of another; this is how millions of shades of colour can be achieved in one print. As full colour digital technology utilises UV light to cure the print during the process, there is no need to use an over laminate or allow for drying time.
The Benefits Over Traditional Printing Techniques
• Print Photorealistic Images Directly Onto The Product Surface.
• Vastly Improved Lead Times.
• Reduced Set Up & Print Costs.
• Cost Effectively Personalise Products with Individual Names.
• High Resolution Jpeg Files Suitable For Artwork.
Why Full Colour Digital Printing Is Relevant To Me?
If your business or organisation uses promotional merchandise, business gifts or signage, then full colour digital printing is highly relevant. Not only can it deliver you a cost benefit, but most importantly complex logos identities or campaign messages no longer have to be compromised and photorealistic images can now be employed through your campaign.
