What is the difference between thermography and flat print

Thermography takes less work—and time—than engraving; an order can be fulfilled in about a week once you've completed the design process. That said, it will still run you more than flat printing on the next slide. Flat printing is a catch-all term used for offset and digital techniques, both of which create stationery that's smooth to the touch.

Offset involves transferring images from a metal plate to a rubber surface to paper with a lithographic press. Digital is a simpler process that prints right from a computer file. Used for commercial media like magazines and catalogs, flat printing is a low-cost way to get crisp, clean images.

If you want to save time or money. Which should you choose? Know that while digital printing has come a long way, offset still offers the most luxurious options for paper selection, and its type is a tad sharper. But costs go up the more colors you use, while with digital, extra hues carry no extra charge. Flat printing is a great option in a time crunch, with a turnaround of just a few days to a week. Minted for affordable, crowd-sourced designs; Paperless Post for big-name collaborations think Kelly Wearstler and Oscar de la Renta ; Wedding Paper Divas for easy-to-customize looks and extras like photo books.

Martha Stewart Weddings. Save Pin More. Start Slideshow. Credit: Squire Fox. Credit: Jen Huang. What It Is With roots in the 15th century, letterpress is the oldest print form in use. That means that light colors will not be raised to the same degree as darker colors. Thermography can also melt in the heat of a laser printer. For pieces that will be used in office printers or copy machines, it is important to use a thermography process that can take the heat.

But worry not! Flat Print is Anything But Ordinary Flat print might not rise above the page, it still creates striking final products that rise above the competition.

It is the best choice for all designs with bleeds. Flat print allows your customer to use light and dark colors together without worrying about differences between the different colors. So, which should your customer choose? As you can see, that depends on what their project looks like and their preferences. Whichever they choose, we will be sure to deliver a quality print product for you and your customer.

Do your customers have a favorite print process? Do they prefer flat print? Or does raised print lift their spirits? It requires a special printer with a white ink cartridge or tank. It can really pop on darker colors and makes a statement for your invitations or envelopes. If texture is your thing, thermography is for you! Thermography is a raised ink printing process that gives the ink a texture as you run your fingers over it. It looks similar to digital printing until you turn it to the side or touch it—the difference will wow you!

Thermography can be done in a variety of colors to match your palette, as well! This printing method is the perfect partner for digital printing if your looking to combine some methods. In order to create a piece with thermography:. A paper plate with an aluminium backing is created for the invitation.

The plate is mounted on a press-cylinder and comes in contact with wetting rollers, then ink rollers. The image is flat printed on the paper as it passes between the cylinders. While the ink is wet, it is dusted with resinous powder. Some of the powder adheres to the ink. Then the extra powder is removed and the invitation passes through a heated tunnel.