Printing machines can be classified into several main categories based on printing principle and application scenario. The most common types are as follows.
1. Main categories by printing principle
Lithographic printing machines (mainly offset presses): The most widely used type in commercial printing. They operate on the principle that oil and water do not mix. Ink is transferred from a plate to a blanket and then to the substrate. Offset presses include sheet-fed and web-fed models, and are commonly used for books, magazines, posters, and packaging, offering uniform and stable color reproduction.
Gravure printing machines: The image area is recessed below the surface of the printing cylinder. Ink fills the recessed cells, and excess ink is scraped off the surface before transfer. Gravure presses offer high durability and strong color saturation, and are often used for banknotes, stamps, food plastic packaging, and other high-precision applications.
Flexographic printing machines: A type of relief printing machine where the image area is raised. Ink is transferred through a flexible plate and can be applied to various substrates such as paper, plastic, and corrugated board. Flexo presses are widely used for cartons, plastic bags, and tickets.
Screen printing machines: A type of stencil printing machine that forces ink through mesh openings onto the substrate. They can print on curved and irregularly shaped materials and are commonly used for garment printing, glass signs, metal products, and circuit boards.
Digital printing machines: These machines do not require plate making. Digital files are transferred directly onto the substrate. Digital printing includes inkjet and laser types, and is suitable for short-run and personalized printing, such as custom photo books and personalized packaging.
2. Categories by application scenario
Office printing equipment: Includes desktop laser printers, inkjet printers, and multifunction devices, mainly used for small-batch printing of documents and images.
Industrial high-volume printing machines: Such as newspaper web presses and book web presses. These machines can achieve high-speed mass production, with output exceeding 70,000 copies per hour on current mainstream models.
Special-purpose printing machines: Includes pad printers, hot stamping machines, thermal transfer printers, and UV printers. They are used for special printing effects or special substrates, such as printing on electronic product housings, leather hot stamping, and curved surface product printing.
For users who need non-standard replacement parts or precision components for any of the above machine types, Hansheng Automation can provide custom machining based on customer drawings or sample parts.
