Archive: Oct 2022

Introducing our New MVP: Delivering Better Quality without Inflated Price Tags

Leave a Comment

Advances in printing have come a long way over the last thirty years. This is thanks mostly to the advent and acceleration of digital printing technology. When comparing the capabilities of today’s digital equipment to how things were done back then, the differences are almost unimaginable. (We won’t bore you with the details.) Better yet, the technology continues to improve, bringing further increased quality, efficiency and other significant benefits.

(Click to Expand)
Delivering Better Quality without Inflated Price Tags

We Pushed the Limits, Again

The latest addition to our equipment lineup, our impressive Iridesse system, is no exception to the trend. It boasts a six-color engine, that can lay down CMYK in a single pass, in addition to specialty spot colors. (More on that later.) While this press is impressive right out of the box, we’ve already been able to push the limits of its capabilities. By leveraging the creative thinking and problem solving we’re well known for, we’ve adapted the use to our customer’s needs, materials and applications. For instance, we can print directly on plastics and other materials more efficiently with better quality than ever before. But there’s much more to it. 

Keeping the Lid on Prices

One of the greatest benefits of implementing this new technology is the ability for us to continue to offer competitive and predictable pricing, at a time when price tags seem to grow larger by the day. There are several factors that contribute to this:

  • The equipment is faster 
  • It’s less expensive to operate, with lower maintenance costs
  • The increased speed, efficiency and quality helps compensate for continually increasing material costs. This allows us to absorb those increases, rather than passing them along to our customers.
  • Significantly improved uptime. This means we can be more productive, while minimizing material and wasted resources.

Wait. It Can Do WHAT?

In addition to improved overall performance, the equipment can do some pretty cool things that help reduce process time and increase quality. For instance, it can lay down white, gold or silver. Previously, extra steps using additional equipment were required to achieve this. It also boasts a higher resolution, 1200×1200. While this capability isn’t new, the fact that it can achieve this without slowing down is a big benefit. This equates to noticeably better quality, without increasing runtime. Further, it offers us better color control, thanks to an onboard spectrophotometer. That’s just a fancy way of saying improved color matching and consistency across the run, and from job to job. 

The Machine is Green!

Not only do customers benefit from all of this, but so does the environment. The machine operates much cleaner than its predecessors. In fact, it’s almost chemical free. Better yet, it doesn’t create any waste! None, it doesn’t even have a waste tank. Environmentally speaking, this is a vast improvement. As an added bonus, it also consumes less power. 

Improved quality. Reduced manufacturing expense. Increased speed, reliability and uptime. All of this adds up to giving us the ability to make your products look great, without destroying your budget. 

Curious to see how you can benefit from this impressive technology? Reach out to us with your needs today. 

Technical Considerations for Screen & Digital Printing

Leave a Comment

With over 60 years in the industry, Specialty Printing & Processing understands the unique technical considerations involved with digital and screen printing. Our expert team provides turnkey solutions for simple or complex printing projects. Learn more about our capabilities and what you must consider when choosing a printing method for your application.

 

Custom Printing Solutions & Value-Added Manufacturing Services

At Specialty Printing & Processing, we offer custom digital and screen printing that’s efficient and cost-effective, as well as assembly, creative project solutions, and other value-added services, to deliver your print projects quickly and as expected.

Digital Printing

Digital printing is a fast, economical, and reliable technique that uses a printer to produce high-quality graphics directly on a substrate. Our team offers full-service digital printing for high-resolution graphics, with capabilities for resolutions of 1,200 to 2,880 dots-per-inch (DPI). Our in-house Mimaki, Gerber, Epson, and HP systems can digitally print images as large as 6’ x 150’ with our high-speed small format digital printing at up to 2000 sheets per hour. Our custom contractors achieve up to 14’ in width for your project. We operate large-format roll presses and small- or large-format flatbed digital presses and have extensive customization options available, including UV-resistant ink, security markings, and custom coatings.

Screen Printing

Screen printing applies a design to a substrate by forcing ink through the holes in a stenciled screen mesh to create an image. With screen printing capabilities on vinyl, polyester, polycarbonate, and more, our in-house M&R, American Cameo, Sias, and manual presses allow us to quickly generate proofs for your review. Our clamshell press prints graphics as large as 48” x 96”, but our core competency is smaller presses, generating standard print sizes of 27” x 20”, 30” x 38”, and 24” x 48”, with type as small as 2-point text. We can provide custom screens and fixtures, as well as secondary services such as CNC routing, slitting, plot and die cutting, and contouring.

Assembly Services

Our comprehensive assembly service packages include procurement, design, fabrication, modification, and the complete assembly of plastic, electrical, and mechanical parts. We offer various post-production options, including die cutting, laminating, kitting, packaging, and delivery. Our team also has the ability to provide assistance for strategic sourcing and procurement, as well as design and assembly for complex or multi-part components.

Creative Project Solutions

No matter the complexity of your project, Specialty Printing & Processing has the answer. Beyond our standard printing and assembly capabilities, we offer a variety of value-added services, such as adhesive analysis, advising on suitable materials, and standard or custom die cutting. Additionally, we offer design assistance for printed graphics, assemblies, and printing on challenging or abnormally shaped substrates.

 

Technical Considerations

When deciding whether to use digital or screen printing, there are numerous considerations that will help you choose the optimal method for your application, including:

  • Material. Screen printing tends to have greater substrate flexibility than digital printing. 
  • Size. The size or print area of your product can help determine which printer or press we will use.
  • Component shape. We have the capability to design and integrate custom parts into our existing presses, which enables us to print on even the most complex or uniquely shaped components.
  • Volume. Screen printing is typically more cost-efficient than digital printing for large-volume orders.
  • Budget and timing. Digital printing requires less pre-press preparation, which makes it a faster process and less costly in that sense.
  • Aesthetics. You might choose screen printing as the ink for this technique is capable of supremely vibrant colors. Alternatively, digital printing offers high-resolution photographic images as well as excellent customization capabilities.
  • Application. Your application greatly impacts the appropriate printing method. For example, if you have a long-use application, screen printing lasts longer than digital.

 

Applications

Specialty Printing & Processing provides innovative solutions for a wide range of printing applications.

Digital Printing

  • Large-format printing
  • Banners and signs
  • Magnetic signs
  • Graphics
  • Polycarbonate overlays
  • Nameplates
  • Custom labels and decals
  • Specialty products
  • Graphics Polycarbonate Overlays
  • Warning Labels 
  • Data Plates
  • Serial Plates 
  • Metal Nameplates 
  • Product ID 
  • Threading 
  • Diagrams 
  • Decorative Trim

Screen Printing

  • Graphics
  • Polycarbonate overlays
  • Warning labels
  • Mil-Spec printing
  • Data/serial plates or metal nameplates
  • Product identification
  • Threading diagrams
  • Decorative trim

Assemblies

  • Ozone generators
  • Vacuum pump assemblies
  •  Engineered plastic assemblies
  • Electromechanical assemblies
  • Custom assemblies

Creative Project Solutions

  • Printed heaters
  • Fabricated displays
  • Marking solutions

 

Value-Added Services From Specialty Printing & Processing

Talk to the experts at Specialty Printing & Processing for answers to your technical questions and printing challenges, as well as value-added services at a competitive price. Our design and printing capabilities enable us to offer high-quality digital printing and screen printing solutions for various industries, as well as assembly and finishing, with extensive standard and custom options to best serve you.

Contact us today to find out more about the technical considerations involved in screen and digital printing. You may also request a consultation, and we will work with you to identify the printing method best suited to your project.