Digital lithography:
Uses a computer-to-plate (CTPe) device to produce a plate and then prints using a normal offset litho process. Also referred to as Direct Imaging (DI). Digital lithography prints with a permanent master, which is created digitally but cannot be altered during the print run. Can use conventional or “dry” offset technologies. Some common presses are the Heidelberg®, Quickmaster® DI, Heidelberg Speedmaster® 74 DI sheetfed press and the Komori Lithrone® 640-FI.
Laser Printing or Electrophotography:
Most widely used of the plateless printing technologies. Uses computer-to-print (CTPt) technology to expose a new printing plate for each new impression. A dry or liquid toner is deposited on the substrate by varying its electrostatic properties and then fixed by absorption, heat or chemical reaction. Laser printers and xerographic photocopiers employ this technology. Common presses are the Heidelberg Digimaster®, Hewlett-Packard® Indigo, NexPress® 2100, IBM® Infocolor, Xerox Docucolor®, Xeikon® DCP, and the Agfa® Chromapress® (with Xeikon print engine).
Ionography:
Also known as “ion deposition” or electron “charge deposition printing.” Uses computer-to-print (CTPt) technology. An electron cartridge creates a negative charge on a drum that attracts magnetic toner. Toner is then fixed to substrate through a cold fusion process. Generally used only for one-color printing. The cold fusion process may slightly distort the substrate, making it difficult to line up multiple colors. Used for high-volume and variable information applications like checks, statements, letters, tickets and tags.
Magnetography:
Similar to ionography except the drum used is magnetic. Uses computer-to-print (CTPt) technology. Electronic image is converted to a magnetic charge on the drum that attracts toner containing iron particles. Toners are very opaque, so the process is best suited for spot colors rather than a four-color process, which requires transparent colors to work properly. Opaque toners and variable imaging make this process well suited for barcode printing. Common presses are manufactured by Nipson SAS.
Ink jet printing:
Creates printed documents with streams of ink drops that are deflected to the substrate based on information in digital files. Uses computer-to-print (CTPt) technology. Two types of ink jet printing are continuous jet (drops of ink are continually produced and applied to substrate) and drop-on-demand (ink drops are formed and then applied as a response to a digital signal) Common ink jet presses are the Scitex® Versamark® and Aprion DPS. A common large ink jet printer is the Xerox® Docutech®. Many home and office printers use ink jet technology.
Elcography®:
The electrocoagulation process uses water-based polymeric links that are sensitive to electric fields to produce images with photographic quality. Uses computer-to-print (CTPt) technology. Invented and developed by Elcorsy Technology Inc., elcographic technology is based on the experiments of Adrien Castegnier, an entrepreneur in the photofinishing industry. The Elco 400 press can print 1700 pages per minute. Inks employed are environmentally friendly.
The Heidelburg Quickmaster DI:
A revolutionary system goes directly from computer to press with a digital file. The DI uses no film, no toxic plate making solutions, and no toners, so every sheet the DI prints is a plus for the environment. The DI delivers waterless offset quality at high resolution of 2540 dpi at 200 lpi. The DI is the highest quality, most cost effective solution on the market today for full color printing.