Commercial printing is essentially a printing process used mainly for businesses, including promotional flyers and brochures. But there are not just one kind and every one is being used for a specific purpose. The different categories of commercial printing that we will look at are: offset lithography, bindery, gravure, screen-printing, die-cutting and engraving. In offset lithography, the material is mounted on a metal plate and images are created by using an offset printing press. In bindery, a solid piece of cloth is stretched around a plate, stapled into place and images are created by using a stapler.
On the other hand, screen-printing uses a heat-resistant liquid ink on a large format surface. Die-cut surfaces make up large format commercial printing while engraving makes up part of the gravure category of printmaking. The final category is die-cutting, where a piece of fabric, textile or paper is carved into shapes using a laser or other cutting instrument. The most complete term for any commercial printing job is ‘promotional material design’ because all of these processes are designed to promote a business by creating a visual aid or emblem that the public can relate to. This helps business branding and marketing efforts.
There are now many commercial printing company around the world, catering to various needs and requirements. Each printer has its own range of services and various packages depending on the type of service and volume requested. Some printers also specialize in a particular industry or niche, allowing them to offer a tailor-made solution to meet your unique business needs. Here are some of the main categories of printers you will come across when searching for the right commercial printing company for you:
o Office printers – These are the larger commercial printing firms, who are capable of providing large format print jobs including lithography, bindery, matte drawing, electronic press and fax services. Their wide range of services include business presentation, contract printing, direct mail, envelope printing and much more.
o Small and medium printers – These printers specialize in printing just small pieces of business documents. They utilize the latest technology and offer competitive pricing for their services.
o Financial printing – This kind of commercial printing services deal with financial and accounting documents such as invoices, receipts, statements and reports. These may also include the preparation of VAT reports and international trade reports.
o Interior designers – Most interior designers use commercial printing services to design brochures, business cards, posters and wall murals.
o Graphic design – This kind of commercial printing services deals with creating advertising and promotional materials such as flyers, billboards, banners, brochures, booklets and posters.
o Software development – This kind of commercial printing services deals with creating software applications that help in creating business products such as software product discs, personal computer discs, client software, network software and more.
The pricing of commercial printing does not stop with the prices for the paper used. There is also a charge for handling and shipping. And this would depend on the size and weight of the materials. There are also charges for on-site and offshore processing. The best way to find out how much a specific service would cost you is to contact a printing company that specializes in commercial printing.