Print & Production
The most common printing methods are offset, digital and large format printing - and the most common question in commercial printing is, “When should I use which method?” The experienced staff at MPC can recommend the best process for your project based on your desired quantity, size and deadline. Knowing which type of printing is appropriate for a given project will save you time, money and even headaches!
Offset Printing
Offset lithography is the most common, high volume commercial printing technology and the process has not changed much from when it was first discovered in 1906. The desired print image is burned onto a plate, transferred (or offset) from the plate to a rubber roller and then applied to the paper or printing surface. Each roller has its own specified ink: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black (CMYK). Often, specialized colors called Pantones or PMS colors are added when very specific colors are needed, for instance in a logo. The process is based on the repulsion of oil and water - the image to be printed gets the ink from the rollers; while the non printing area attracts a film of water, keeping those areas ink-free.
To decrease time and costs, MPC utilizes a computer-to-plate system workflow. A process that once took hours to produce a plate is now achieved in just a few minutes. Overall, offset is best suited for producing large volumes of high quality prints in an economically sound manner.
Digital Printing
Digital printing is a modern method of printing that sends digital files directly to the printer, eliminating the need to create films or plates. In terms of cost and waste, this method of printing is ideal for short print runs. Printing digitally also allows for a faster turnaround time and exceptional full color quality.
With digital printing, you no longer need to order an excessive amount of prints to get low pricing. This option also allows for variable data, meaning you can print customized text or graphics on each individual piece without slowing down the print run. Finally, there is a lower impact on the environment with digital printing because less waste is being produced - including ink, paper and set up materials.
Large format printing is a form of digital printing that is also known as wide-format printing or grand printing. As the name suggests, large format printers can produce an imprint with a larger print width than typical machines. There are a variety of media types and substrates that can be fed through these printers. Instead of printing on individual sheets, a roll of material can be fed through the machine and they also have the ability to print directly on substrates.
The beauty of this type of printing is it gives you the luxury of a bigger area to work with, and the finished products are therefore very effective advertising tools. They create more of an impact and attract customers better than normal-sized materials. Ideal for prints that have graphic-heavy designs, large format printing is perfect for banners, posters, tradeshow displays, canvas prints, interior and exterior signs, light boxes, wallpapers, murals and more.
Large Format Printing
Screen Printing & Embroidery
Screen printing and embroidery are the two most popular methods of customizing apparel and promotional items. Embroidery gives more of a high end look as screen printing produces a more relaxed and casual appearance.
MPC offers custom printed or embroidered garments ranging from t-shirts to sweatshirts, hats, jackets and more. Custom apparel is great for giveaways to clients, for teams in competitive situations, for leagues, to commemorate a special event or to outfit your employees. Our creative department can create a new design for you, customize an existing one or simply digitize your logo. Speak to a sales representative today about our range of options on screen printing and embroidery for your next project.
Screen Printing
Screen printing is a printing technique that uses a mesh-based stencil to apply ink onto a substrate - whether it be t-shirts, posters, stickers, vinyl, wood, or other material. First, a design is imposed on a screen of polyester or other fine mesh. A blade, or large squeegee, is moved across the screen forcing ink through the mesh openings and transferring the image onto the substrate. The ink is then cured to the material by passing the product through a high temperature dryer. One color is printed at a time, so several screens can be used to produce a multi-colored image or design.
Screen Printing is the most effective way of imprinting on fabrics and is recommended for high detailed artwork. We have a wide variety of colors available, will help match your PMS color, or can even print metallics.
Embroidery
Embroidery is a process whereby a sewing machine is used to stitch patterns on textiles. It is primarily used in product branding, corporate advertising, and uniform adornment.
Any sport or event is made even more special with customized embroidery. This option will distinguish your team or corporation with a classy appearance. We can recommend a large variety of stitch colors for any custom design. Whether you need corporate uniforms, promotional apparel, golf championship jackets or team baseball caps we can produce the perfect embroidered product to fit your needs!
