Guide to Commercial Print: Understanding Different Types of Commercial Printing

Guide to Commercial Print: Understanding Different Types of Commercial Printing Printed materials are all around you—whether it’s a brochure, a…

Yu Dai
January 10, 2025

Guide to Commercial Print: Understanding Different Types of Commercial Printing

Printed materials are all around you—whether it’s a brochure, a product label, or a flyer. But how are they made? Well, that’s where commercial printing comes in. It’s the process of producing high-quality print products on a large scale using specialized printing equipment.

The global commercial printing market is expected to grow from $469.6 billion in 2022 to $586.2 billion by 2032, reflecting a CAGR of 2.3% over the decade.

If you’re looking to create professional materials like marketing collateral, packaging, or product labels, commercial printing is key for your business.

So, what exactly does this process involve? In this article, we’ll explore the different types of commercial printing, take a look at the printing process, and show you how to use commercial printing services to meet your printing needs.


What is Commercial Print? Defining the Basics

Commercial print refers to the process of producing high-quality printed materials in large volumes using advanced printing equipment.

You’ve probably seen it in action with things like brochures, booklets, packaging, and other professional-quality print products. It’s the kind of printing that businesses rely on to make a big impact.

There are several key techniques used in commercial printing, including “offset lithography,” “digital printing,” and “flexographic printing.” Each method is designed to handle large-scale projects while ensuring the print quality stays top-notch. 

Whether you need marketing materials, product labels, or custom packaging, commercial printing has got you covered. It’s a game-changer for businesses looking to scale their print projects while keeping things professional and cost-effective.


Different Types of Commercial Printing: Choosing the Right Printing Type

There are several different types of commercial printing available, each suited for specific business needs.

Understanding these common type of commercial printing helps you choose the most appropriate option for your project.

Offset Lithography Printing

Offset printing is often considered the most popular and cost-effective option for high-volume printing. It involves using printing plates and wet ink to transfer images onto the printing surface.

This printing method is ideal for producing large print runs of high-quality materials, such as brochures and catalogs.

Offset lithography printing is widely used for printing press jobs due to its efficiency and consistency.

Digital Printing

Digital printing is ideal for on-demand printing and custom online print solutions.

This printing technology uses digital files to produce prints directly onto the printing surface, making it perfect for shorter print runs and projects that require quick turnaround times.

The quality of digital printing has improved significantly over the years, offering high-quality results with vibrant colors and sharp details.

Flexographic Printing

Flexographic printing is often used for printing on non-porous surfaces like plastic, metal, and cardboard.

It’s commonly used for packaging and labels. This technique is similar to lithography printing, but it uses flexible printing plates and fast-drying inks.

It’s perfect for continuous runs of materials.

Screen Printing

Screen printing, also known as silk screen printing, is widely used for printing designs on fabric, promotional items, and other objects.

It’s a versatile printing technique that can produce long-lasting prints on various surfaces, including textiles and plastics.

Large-Format Printing

Known as wide-format printing, this method allows businesses to print large materials like banners, posters, and signs.

Printing companies specializing in large-format printing use specialized printing equipment designed to handle oversized prints.


The Commercial Printing Process: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

The commercial printing process involves multiple stages to ensure premium print materials. Let’s break it down:

Pre-Press

This step involves preparing the artwork and creating the printing plates (for offset printing) or setting up the digital files. It’s crucial for ensuring the final printing surface is ready to receive the materials.

Press

This is the stage where the printing technique is applied. For offset printing, the design is transferred onto printing plates and then onto paper.

Digital printing presses directly transfer the image from the digital file onto the printing surface.

Post-Press

After printing, materials may undergo finishing processes like cutting, folding, or binding to create the final product.

Understanding the commercial printing process is essential to achieving your desired print quality and meeting your printing needs effectively.


Benefits of Commercial Printing for Businesses

Commercial printing offers several advantages that can help businesses streamline their goals and improve their marketing materials:

Professional Quality

Commercial printing ensures a high level of consistency and print quality across large production, making it ideal for producing brochures, business cards, and packaging materials.

Cost-Effectiveness

Large production are more affordable with commercial printing due to economies of scale, especially when using offset printing.

Scalability

Whether you need a small batch or a large-volume, commercial printers can accommodate your needs.

Customization

With variable data printing, businesses can personalize their materials for specific audiences, making print materials more targeted and effective.

By leveraging commercial printing services, businesses can meet their desired effect at scale and with a high level of professionalism.


How to Use Commercial Printing Services for Your Business Needs

When looking to use commercial printing services, it’s important to choose the right commercial printing company based on the type of printing you require. Here are a few things to consider:

Printing Surface

Ensure the printer can handle your desired printing surface, whether it’s paper, plastic, or another material.

Printing Technology

Choose a printer with the appropriate printer to deliver the results you need, such as digital printing technology or offset lithography printing.

Printing Costs: Evaluate printing costs based on the scale of your requirements. 

Commercial printers can accommodate both small runs for customized orders and large-volume runs for mass-produced materials.

By understanding your printing options, you can find a commercial printer that offers the best solution for your business needs.

Consideration for Sheer Print solution

When choosing a commercial printer, it’s essential to consider both the print materials and the equipment they use. The right materials ensure that your print job will meet your expectations in terms of quality and durability.

Whether you need glossy brochures, eco-friendly packaging, or textured paper for luxury products, ensure the printer offers a variety of

printouts that suit your needs.

Commercial Printer

Be sure to ask about their capabilities and whether they can handle large production or large format print.


The printing industry continues to evolve with new innovations. Here are some trends to keep an eye on:

LED UV Printing

This advanced printing technique uses LED lights to cure ink instantly, offering faster drying times and reducing environmental impact.

On-Demand Printing

Also known as custom online print portals, on-demand printing allows businesses to order prints as needed, avoiding excess inventory and waste.

Sustainability

The demand for eco-friendly options in the commercial printing industry is growing. Commercial printers are increasingly using sustainable practices, such as recycled paper and environmentally friendly inks, to reduce their carbon footprint.

These trends are reshaping how companies approach their commercial printing goals and creating new opportunities for businesses to produce high-quality, customized materials.


Outsourcing Your Commercial Printing Needs

Expertise: Commercial printing companies specialize in high-quality printing and have the technical knowledge to produce the best results for your materials.

Efficiency: Commercial printers have the equipment and resources to handle large-scale projects quickly and efficiently.

Cost Savings: By outsourcing printing to a commercial printer, businesses can save on the upfront costs of purchasing expensive printing equipment.

Choosing to use commercial printing services allows businesses to focus on their core operations while ensuring their printouts are handled professionally.


Examples of Commercial Printing: What You Can Print

Commercial printing is used to produce a wide range of products:

  • Marketing Materials: Brochures, flyers, business cards, and posters.
  • Packaging: Custom boxes, labels, and product wraps.
  • Promotional Items: T-shirts, mugs, and other branded merchandise.

No matter the type of product you’re looking to print, commercial printing companies can provide the print solutions you need, with a wide range of printing options to suit your business goals.


Making the Most of Commercial Printing Services

Commercial printing is a key part of producing high-quality printed materials like brochures, packaging, and labels.

Now that you understand the commercial printing process and the different types available, you can make the right choice for your business.

Choosing the right commercial printing services will help you meet your printing needs efficiently, ensuring professional results.


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