Digital printing on metal can be described as methods of digital printing on metal surfaces, usually through the use of inkjet printers or UV Led Metal Printing Machine. The results are usually more accurate and last longer than conventional photo printing methods such as offset printing and lithography. The reason for this is that unlike conventional printing, there is no additional drying time involved. For example, you can print any hard surface within hours and get a perfect, high quality print out.
There are different types of digital printing that take place on various metals. One of the most popular forms of digital printing on metal is UV sublimation printing. In this process, there is an exposure to a special ultraviolet light source which changes the color of the ink being used. The color is changed by emission of ultraviolet rays onto the ink. The dyes used in this process are usually hydrophobic, which means that they are attracted to water and cannot stand moisture.
Another method of digital printing on metal involves emitters that emit colored light on the metal surface which is then absorbed by the dye. This dye is then transferred directly onto the surface through a coating process. This method is called direct dye sublimation printing. Another form of digital printing on metal uses metal inks combined with a carrier resin, which are applied directly onto the metal.
The type of digital printing that takes place on a metal sheet is called UV printing. The UV (ultraviolet) ink is typically a gel-based colorant which is designed to be visible under ordinary light conditions but which also have properties which make them excellent for use when high quality images or graphics are needed. Some common types of UV printing include vinyl type (for items such as labels or photos), pagerank, CMYK, RGB, CMYK color, Pantone, and Truecolor. It is a very popular method of digital printing as the results can be produced quickly and without the use of an additional processing stage. There are certain limitations to UV printing as it works best with flat items such as stickers or logos.
A third method of digital printing on metal involves a two-dimensional dye printing process. In this case, the image is printed on a metal plate using dye chemicals. The dye prints colours directly onto the surface of the metal and is then coated with a clear protective layer on top of it. This allows the user to create detailed images and shapes that can then be etched into the metal.
For many years now, another way of digital printing on metal was through the use of silver foil sheets. The advantage of these sheets is that they have a great surface to allow engraved details to be stamped directly onto. They are more expensive than some other methods such as vinyl or pvc though, and the engraving cost can become quite high with some intricate designs. This is not however, generally a factor as most people use these for logo designs and product images and rarely for more intricate images.
It is important to note that different types of digital printing will have different engraving options available to users. You can either opt for an embossed design, where you can have the text or design etched onto the surface of the metal, or you can opt for a raised pattern. Many engravers today also offer a special laser engraving option. With this option, the surface of the metal is heated to produce a reflective pattern on it. This is not the only option and it is important to understand what is offered before deciding on the method of digital printing to proceed with.
As with any other process where images are to be engraved on a material, it is essential that one has the proper software installed on the computer to execute the engraving process. Some software will only work with certain file formats, such as gif and png, while others may need specific fonts to be used in the text. In some cases, the image itself may need to be resized to fit the file, and the font may need to be re-sized if it isn’t already designed to specific sizes. This means that you can choose the right file needed and then the right font, and if all else fails you need to know how to make the necessary modifications to your document. Proper training and using the correct software is paramount to producing good quality results.
