Being open-minded is a very underrated quality, especially in today’s opinionated world. Being receptive to new ideas and information can open the doors to exciting opportunities and help you avoid getting stuck in old ways.
When it comes to printing for medical and industrial applications, we often encourage customers to consider or take a fresh look at digital printing technology. As you’re about to learn, digital printing has come a long way and offers many exciting advantages.
The evolution of digital printing
Many customers are pleasantly surprised at how far digital printing has advanced in recent years. Improvements to image resolution and color accuracy make digital printing a viable alternative to traditional methods such as flexographic printing, screen printing, and offset printing.
Within the digital printing category, you’ll find several different approaches, including inkjet, toner-based, dye-sublimation, UV printing, and more. At Tapecon, we often recommend digital printing for its high-speed output, precision, superior adhesion, and more.
Benefits of digital printing
Whether you have a new product or are considering switching from a traditional process, digital print offers several advantages.
- Flexible volume requirements – Digital printing is scalable for low and high volumes. Since there’s no upfront investment for plate production and setup, it’s often a cost-effective option for various applications.
- Print fine details at high volumes – For highly detailed, visually appealing applications such as prime labels, digital printing ensures quality and consistency, no matter how large the volume.
- Exceptional print quality – As mentioned earlier, digital printing has significantly improved in print quality. Today’s presses use advanced technology to produce high-resolution images and crisp, clear text to enhance the aesthetic appeal of printed materials.
- Exceptional print durability – Not only do digitally printed items look great, but they also remain legible and resist fading. Digital printing offers durability against harsh conditions like heat, cold, moisture, and friction.
- Sustainability – Digital printing can reduce your carbon footprint and overall sustainability compared to traditional printing techniques. It uses fewer materials and produces less waste, as there’s no requirement for plates or excess ink. Additionally, digital printing improves the deinkability and recyclability of printed materials.
- Compatible with various substrates – Digital printing is versatile for various printing materials and thicknesses.
- Adhesion and legibility – Digital printing ensures excellent adhesion on a variety of substrates. It also provides high legibility, which is critical for transmitting information in industrial applications.
- Personalization with variable data printing (VDP) – One area where digital printing has always shined is customization. Digital printing offers additional flexibility and creative opportunity. VDP can add security, traceability, and SKU variety to printed materials. It can also be used to customize individual pieces in a single print run, such as themed or seasonal graphics.
- Reduced drying and processing time – Other printing methods require substantial time for the ink to dry, but digital printing dries instantly. This cuts down processing time, leading to faster turnaround times and improved operational efficiency.
- Approved for food contact and safety – Digital printing is a great choice when it comes to complying with strict food contact and safety regulations. Some printing can be non-toxic and odorless for food packaging applications. This unique feature is crucial for adhering to FDA and corporate printing guidelines.
- Safe for toys and clothing – Being non-toxic, some digital printing complies with safety standards for children’s toys and clothing.
Why Tapecon?
At Tapecon, we offer a wide range of printing techniques, including digital printing. Our state-of-the-art equipment allows us to print applications with resolutions of up to 1,200 dpi and up to 98 ft. per minute. Our digital printing offers exceptional lightfastness, one-pass opaque white, a wide selection of colors, and the peace of mind of being odorless, food-safe, and eco-friendly.
Aside from our printing capabilities, Tapecon offers top-notch service and expertise. Our team is here to help you select the optimal materials for your application, and we take pride in producing the highest quality product possible.
Let’s make something great
With over 100 years of manufacturing experience, Tapecon works with product teams to solve challenges, create products, and enhance lives. Learn more about our durable printing and coating services.
