Printing Substrate Definition and How to Do It Right

As a business, every decision you make, including the choice of printing substrates, can have a profound impact on your brand’s success. That’s why it’s important to understand the printing substrate definition and the best printing tools.

This is because the material you print on can influence the longevity, visual appeal, and versatility of your printed materials. From metals to plastics and various other surfaces, the versatility of printing substrates allows you to tailor your prints to specific needs.

What is Substrate?

Before delving into the printing substrate definition, let’s begin with the basics. Simply put, substrate is a broad term that refers to a foundational layer or surface. They are fundamental in providing a base upon which other materials or components are built or attached.

Meanwhile, in label-making, substrate refers to the surface where labels are applied. For printing, the definition of substrate is the surface to be printed, encompassing the face material and top coatings of a label.

What is a Printing Substrate?

So, what is the printing substrate definition? According to the previous explanation, printing substrates are the foundation material onto which visual elements, labels, or designs are printed. It refers to the material or surface onto which the printing is directly performed, whether it’s plastic, glass, paper, textiles, or other materials.

Furthermore, Direct to Substrate Printing is a cutting-edge printing method that revolutionizes how images and designs are transferred onto various surfaces. Unlike traditional printing techniques that involve intermediate steps, this method enables the direct application of images and text onto the surface of a substrate.

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What is the Substrate Material for Printing?

After learning about substrate and printing substrate definition in general, you also should know about the types of substrate material for printing purposes. This base material can vary significantly and includes various materials, such as:

• Plastic films or foils: Known for their flexibility and durability, suitable for a variety of applications;
• Release liner: A specialized material designed to facilitate the easy release of labels or stickers during application;
• Textiles: Encompass various fabrics and are often used for textile printing or garment decoration;
• Plastic containers: Frequently used for packaging, these containers often bear intricate designs and branding;
• Various paper types: The types are vast and diverse, ranging from lightweight and heavyweight to coated, uncoated, paperboard, cardboard, and more;
• Parchment: An ancient yet enduring material known for its unique texture and aesthetic.

Types of Printing Substrate Methods

According to the printing substrate definition, you will need printing tools that can apply ink directly to the substrate. One method commonly used by businesses is inkjet printing with inkjet printers. Inkjet printers are a popular and versatile printing technology widely used in various settings, from home offices to professional environments.

These printers recreate digital images by propelling tiny ink droplets onto paper, plastic, or substrates. The precise placement of these droplets forms the desired image or text.

These printers are also known for their versatility when it comes to substrates. They can print on a wide range of materials, including standard paper, glossy photo paper, envelopes, transparencies, and even specialized substrates like fabrics and canvas.

Moreover, these tools can produce high-resolution prints with vibrant color saturation, making them suitable for various applications, including photo printing, marketing materials, and graphic design.

Choosing the right printer can significantly impact the quality and efficiency of your printing tasks. As the solution, TIJ (Thermal Inkjet) printers from Markcom Global may be the alternative. Let’s discover the options below:

• Mark 1 Ultra

This printer boasts a larger 7.0-inch color touch screen, which not only enhances user experience but also allows for more logo-based options. It is designed with precision in mind, featuring a digital ruler at the border of the message box, ensuring the creation of more accurate and fine-tuned messages.

What’s more, the Mark-1 Ultra maintains user-friendliness with its one-touch print density adjustment and WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editing function.

• Mark 2 Ultra

The Mark 2 Ultra represents the next level of TIJ printing, building upon the success of the previous tool. It retains the attributes of a larger display and thinner control unit, which have become the hallmark of Markcom’s innovative design.

Notably, the Mark 2 Ultra has two printheads in one control unit, offering increased efficiency and versatility. The main point of this printer lies in its TIJ’s dedicated ASIC chip, which perfectly matches HP’s original and licensed inks.

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This ensures that your prints maintain the highest standards of quality. The printer features an industrial-grade 10-inch color touch screen, providing more logo-based options, making your printing experience not only efficient but also highly customizable.

Furthermore, the orientation and direction settings are now clearer than ever, with logo simulation integrated into the setting menu.

Know These Things in Printing Substrates for Your Business

Knowing the printing substrate definition is not enough. It would be best if you also learned about terms related to this topic. Here is a concise list of standard printing and specialty substrate terms that every business should know:

• Bleed: Printing that extends to the edge of a sheet after trimming;
• C0S: Abbreviation for “no coating”;
• C1S and C2S: Abbreviations for “coated one side” and “coated two sides,” respectively;
• Caliper: The thickness of paper or substrate, measured in mils (thousandths of an inch), microns, or other units;
• Coverage: The extent to which ink covers the substrate, categorized as light, medium, or heavy;
• Crop Marks: Lines near the image edges indicating portions to be reproduced;
• Cure: The drying of inks, varnishes, or coatings after printing to ensure adhesion and prevent setoff;
• Ghosting: The unintended appearance of faint images on a printed sheet or image lightening due to ink starvation;
• Gloss: Refers to the reflectiveness of surfaces in the printing industry;
• Matte Finish: A flat, non-glossy finish on paper;
• Mil (1/1000 Inch): A unit of measurement for the thickness of plastic films used as substrates;
• O1S and O2S: Abbreviations for digital printing optimized coating one side and two sides;
• Polycarbonate: A printing substrate (abbreviated PC);
• Polyester: A printing substrate (abbreviated PET);
• Price Break: The quantity at which the unit cost of a substrate decreases;
• Rigid Vinyl: A printing substrate (abbreviated PVC);
• Sheetfed Press: A press that prints sheets of substrates;
• Styrene: A printing substrate also known as Polystyrene (abbreviated PS);
• Synthetic Paper: A printing substrate also known as Polypropylene (abbreviated PP).

Best Tools for Printing Substrate

According to the printing substrate definition, choosing the right substrate and printer is more than just a technicality; it’s a strategic decision for your business. Whatever your substrate is, Marckom Global Thermal Inkjet Printers are the best tools to tailor your prints to specific needs.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substrate_(printing)

https://www.prigraphics.com/blog/what-is-direct-to-substrate-printing/

https://www.labelplanet.co.uk/glossary/substrate/

https://mgxdigital.com/glossary-of-printing-and-substrate-terms/

https://artisanhd.com/printing-faq/whats-direct-to-substrate-printing/

https://eriecustomsigns.com/direct-to-substrate/

https://edding.tech/blogs/news/how-does-tij-cut-your-costs-and-improve-the-quality-of-your-codes

https://www.canapa.com.tr/blog/the-tools-and-equipment-used-for-digital-transfer-printing

https://markcomglobal.com/products-tij/mark-1-ultra/

https://markcomglobal.com/products-tij/mark-2-ultra/