Whether you’re printing a business card or a full-page advertisement, you need a reliable machine to get the job done. The following are some of the factors to look for in a printer:
Capacity of Paper/Media Input Trays
A higher capacity can mean less time spent reloading paper and fewer interruptions during printing operations. This also improves overall worker productivity.
Features such as multiple paper drawers or cassettes can help you reduce the number of times you need to change media when switching from one size of paper to another. You’ll find the paper capacity on a machine’s spec sheet.
Types
The first step in any printing process is to set up the composition, which is usually done by a compositor. These machines have a frame that holds groups of individual metal letters (known as type). Each letter is then inked and the paper is laid over the blocks.
Graphics Screen Printing
The next step is to create the print on the substrate (paper, cloth, plastic). To accomplish this, you need a graphics screen printing machine. These machines are available in many different shapes and sizes.
Flexo/Letterpress
If you’re looking to get started with t-shirt printing, a flexo/letterpress printing machine is the perfect choice. These machines use a high-speed printing process and make use of fast-drying inks. They are also easy to operate and can be adapted to a variety of materials, including paper, foils, plastic, and acetate films.