Poster Printing

It wasn't until poster technology vastly improved that poster printing became a major medium of advertising, inspiration and artwork. Poster printing really started to take off in the late 1700's when the poster printing processes of lithography and chromolithography were invented. These processes allowed for the mass production of posters and at a much cheaper price. It was after color poster printing became available that the poster finally came to be appreciated in Europe, and eventually in the United States.

Types Of Poster Printing Techniques

There are many poster printing techniques that are used today. While a few posters may still be printed by hand or in special “limited editions” (as with vintage or collectibles) most posters are mass-produced. They are printed on one side only and left blank on the other so that it can be easily attached to a wall. The size of a poster may vary depending on the vision of the artist, but the standard is usually 24 x 36. The paper used for printing is usually A3 Standard Silk paper in full color.

Many poster admirers looking for cheap poster printing choose to use computer software rather than buy posters new. One technique that can be used with home computers is known as tile printing. This allows for home users to print images that are larger than a typical copy page. This form of poster printing overlays a grid on the printed image, in which one tile is the size of one print page, and then the printer prints out each tile. The user can then piece the image together. This form of poster printing has been used for many years, since mainframe computers were the only option.

There is also a process known as offset poster printing. This process is widely used and involves the inked image being transferred (thus, offset) from a plate to a rubber blanket and then finally to the printing surface. The offset technique, along with the lithographic process, uses a planographic image carrier on which the image that will be printed gets ink from ink rollers while the non-printing area attracts water, thereby keeping the non-print areas ink-free. Offset poster printing inkjet finishing is one of the cheaper mechanisms used in discount poster printing.

Other Posters Printing Avenues

Other processes include large format poster printing, tri-fold poster printing and full color poster printing. How can you decide between buying a poster full price and buying poster printing software to print your own images? It depends on quality and the poster printing price. Printing with a company makes posters cheaper and of higher quality. Printing your own images may be cheaper, particularly if you find yourself printing many large posters a year, however professionally made printing posters have finer qualities and other advantages. For the best results, get a poster printing quote and compare it to the combined cost of your printer, ink and software.