Commercial Printers

Commercial printers can offer many different options that desktop printers simply cannot. Commercial printers are not just a piece of equipment, rather they are a service that can provide a lot of extra features to brochures, booklets, business cards and any other type of printed materials.

Differences

Commercial printers may use equipment that is similar to home or small-business printers, especially if the office uses a floor model printer. Commercial printers will, however, be able to complete raised printing like that found on business cards, add unique and custom graphics and designs, as well as often being much more cost effective than using printing equipment designed for homes or small businesses. There are four basic differences between a commercial printer and a desktop printer. The general descriptions of the differences are:

• Printing press – a commercial printer may use either a printer or a printing press. A printing press allows for the whole image to be applied to the paper at one time using a web sheet method. This provides clean, crisp lines with no bleeding or blurring of the edges of colors sometimes found with desktop printing.
• Ink colors – the standard desktop printer uses four colors of ink that are mixed at the nozzle and applied to the paper. The colors are cyan, magenta, yellow and black, and these colors limit the colors that can be produced. A commercial printer can use pre-mixed specialized colors as well as metallic, fluorescent and other individualized colors.
• Application of colors – a desktop printer applies all the colors during one print. Commercial printers apply different colors with different prints, thereby assuring the vivid colors and clean edges.
• Computer files – commercial printers use graphic programs that are much more advanced than most of the programs available for home computer printers. Often the computer itself may have the programming ability but the printer will not be able to read or accept these advanced programming files to understand what needs to be printed.

Advantages

Generally, commercial printers also provide graphic and logo services and can work with clients to design and develop various advertising and marketing programs. Commercial printers can offer less costly methods of printing and can also print on items that normally would pose a problem for most desktop printers. A commercial printer easily generates items such as fridge magnets, banners, specialty signs and other advertising products.

With the use of computers and file transfer systems it is possible for businesses to complete all their work with the commercial printer over the internet. This eliminates any time delays and provides close contact without having to take time away from work to check proofs or copies. Using a commercial printer is a cost and time-saving option for many businesses and individuals.