What is the difference between hole printing, flat printing, embossed printing and gravure printing?

When talking about printing, hole printing, offset printing, embossed printing, and gravure printing refer to different printing technologies, each of which has its own unique characteristics and applicable scenarios. Let’s look at the characteristics and differences of each printing technology one by one:
1. Hole printing (silk screen printing)
Definition: Hole printing, also known as screen printing, is a printing technique that utilizes silk screens. The screen plate has a certain number and location of openings (or mesh) through which ink is transferred to the printed material.
Examples of printing products: Suitable for printing T-shirts, posters, stickers and other products that need to be printed on different materials.
Printing fineness: Higher fineness can achieve more complex patterns and details.
Timeliness and applicability: Screen printing is suitable for a variety of materials, including cloth, plastic, metal, etc., and has wide applicability.

2. Flat printing (offset printing)
Definition: Lithography, or offset printing, is a technology that uses flat plates for printing. The flat portion of the printing plate retains the image and text, while the non-printing portion is removed by chemicals.
Examples of printing products: Used for printing books, magazines, leaflets and other large-volume printed matter.
Printing fineness: Offset printing technology can provide high-precision graphic printing, suitable for complex colors and patterns.
Timeliness and applicability: Offset printing is suitable for all kinds of paper, cardboard and most flat materials, and is suitable for high-speed and large-volume printing.
3. Embossed printing
Definition: Relief printing is a printing technology that transfers ink to the printing material through a raised printing plate surface. The graphic part on the printing plate is raised, and the ink is transferred directly from the raised part to the printing material.
Examples of printing products: It is often used to print postcards, envelopes, packaging boxes and other products that need to stand out.
Printing fineness: Relief printing is suitable for simple patterns and text, and is not as suitable for complex details as offset printing.
Timeliness and applicability: Relief printing is suitable for many types of materials and surfaces, but its applicability and accuracy are lower than offset printing.

4. Gravure printing
Definition: Gravure printing is the use of gravure printing
The technology of printing. The graphic part of the gravure plate is engraved in the concave part of the plate, and the ink is pressed into the groove, and then transferred to the printing material through pressure.
Examples of printing products: Suitable for printing packaging, bills, high-end books and other products that require high-quality printing.
Printing fineness: Gravure printing can achieve very high precision and fineness, suitable for printing exquisite artwork or high-quality products.
Timeliness and applicability: Gravure printing is often used for products that require extremely high printing quality, and is suitable for various paper and plastic materials.