Printing Methods Suitable for Most-Used Types of Print Finishing

Various printing methods can be paired with specific print finishes to achieve desired results. Here are some common printing methods and their compatibility with popular print finishes:

Offset Printing

Known for its high-quality and consistent results, a wide range of finishes including gloss or matte coatings, spot UV coating, embossing, and foil stamping would be ideal.

Digital Printing

Works well with finishes such as gloss and matte coatings, laminating, and variable data printing.

Flexographic Printing

Commonly used for packaging materials, finishes such as lamination, varnishing, and UV coating are compatible. Learn more about flexographic printing.

Screen Printing

Known for its vibrant and opaque colors, finishes like high-gloss coatings, specialty varnishes, and textured coatings are suitable.

Letterpress Printing

Finishes like embossing, debossing, and foil stamping accentuate the tactile nature of letterpress prints, making them popular for premium stationery and invitations.

Inkjet Printing

Inkjet printing widely used for digital and large-format printing, finishes like coatings, laminates, and specialized varnishes are recommended for letterpress printing as they enhance the color vibrancy and protect the prints, making them suitable for various applications including signage and posters and letterpress printing.

Read more: Print Finishing Techniques & Effects for Your Printing and Packaging Business

It’s important to note that advancements in printing and finishing technologies continually expand the compatibility between printing methods and finishes. Print service providers often conduct tests to ensure the chosen combination of printing method and finish achieves the desired results in terms of visual appeal, durability, and overall quality.