How 3D printing will change the world

In recent years 3D printing has become a thing of the present rather than the future. It’s constantly being put to the test, what was originally building small 3D models to show its capabilities is not building medical prosthetics.

It’s no longer just available for big companies or universities but there have been a number of developments which allow for 3D printing in domestic situations.

2014 was a big year for 3D printing; it saw more creative ideas, more materials being used and pushing the borders of modern medicine.

Some dental clinics have for some years been using 3D printers to help create appliances, for use in the creation of crowns, bridges and temporaries by dental technicians. Using this technology, even long-term temporaries can now be created, meaning that 3D printers can quite literally already print you new teeth.

The world of fashion has also taken an interest in 3D printing to make jewellery and apparel. These shoes have been printed with Nylon and although are extremely light weight they are strong enough to support the weight of the wearer.  The shoes will cost the buyer up to US$900 however and they can be adjusted by the customer in colour and heel height as the design can be altered quickly in a computer program

Broken bones or fractured bones are often placed in a knitted fibreglass cast that encases the limb to prevent further damage and restrict movement to allow the bone to heal undisturbed. Often the cast has to be replaced as it does not allow the limb to breathe

very well. Also if the cast gets wet it could potentially cause infection or mould to grow and it cannot dry and remove the dampness easily. Medical scientists have designed a web looking cast that can provide stability and protection whilst the limb is healing but can also stop the problem with moisture and breathability.  The ‘Cortex’ cast was designed and created by Victoria University of Wellington and what’s more is that not only is it ventilated and light, it’s also recyclable. The information to create the cast would come straight from X-rays and a 3D scan.

It’s not all good news though. 3D printing has led to a rise in the creation of printed firearms. This has been great concern offer the ease of sharing blueprints over the internet. There have also been a number of demonstrations by ‘defense’ groups of metal printed guns.

For those who have tried 3D printing will probably be aware of how difficult it is to produce one solid finished model. Even if you have witnessed the first four hours of printing go without a hitch, you should not be surprised that once you've left the room it all starts going wrong. A number of things can start happening such as the X and Y discs start slipping and are now printing in a different place from where you would like or the plastic has melted on to the equipment allowing the plastic to not ‘pour’ in the same way.

For printing equipment that you can rely on Focus Label Machinery Ltd has a wide range of paper and packing printers as well as textile printers. 3D printing isn't for everyone but we are able to provide equipment for mainstream production as well as for more bespoke applications; we aim to provide our customers with top quality machinery and top quality service.
Take a look at our range of printing machines or contact our specialist team of staff today. 

Our picks of printed Christmas packaging

Our picks of printed Christmas packaging

At Christmas time consumers are often fooled into purchasing things that they don’t need, gifts that they never intended to buy and food that they often would never eat, but why?

The things that often draw them in are advertisements, good marketing and quality packaging and around Christmas if the above three can tell a story then you’ve sold your product.

We understand that high quality printing and packaging for food, textiles, labels and garments are all ingredients which when combined are the recipe to success for the retail, food or industry sectors and with our tailor designed printing machines and equipment you can ensure that your customers are satisfied with their printed paper and label packaging so that they return to you for many Christmases to come to steer their sales to unprecedented success.

Here Focus Label Machinery take a look at some of our best picks of printed packaging at Christmas time:

Budweiser (2013)

Showcased last year this cardboard packaging featured a Christmas jumper styled design and Clysedale horses keeping to the Winter/Christmas theme without overwhelming customers and boasted responsible messages for drinking around Christmas time.

Cadburys Eclairs (2014)

The gift box design which was revealed earlier this year features printed ribbons and end caps which are chosen to reflect the season the gift is given. Luxurious colour pigments are used with smooth fonts and excellent brand placement.

Toblerone (2012)

Turner Duckworth was responsible for the designs placed on the packaging for the 2012 Christmas Toblerones which depicted the simple image of snow and reindeer. An ideal keepsake, the packaging extended the brand to make it a symbolic gift of Christmas.

Fortnum and Mason (2012)

Often associated with timeless designs for its food and drink products, the London based Fornum & Mason doesn’t rely too much on Christmassy values to market its products. Tasteful printing and simple designs denote the confidence the brand has in its own gift wrapping.

Coca-Cola (1996)

The arrival of the famous Christmas trucks on the TV ad often symbolise the arrival of the festive season, so no talk of successful Christmas packaging would go down well without the mention of Coca-Cola who made Santa the red and green symbol of Christmas we now see today. The depiction of the jolly man with rosy cheeks was enough to bring this brand the recognition it deserves. 

If you are looking for flexographic printing machines or label printing machines for your printing business then Focus Label can help in time for next Christmas. Make your printing company a force to be reckoned with in the food packaging business.

Contact us today.

New food labelling regulations

Important new changes to the labelling of food are due to come into effect very soon and mean that any potential allergens or ingredients that could lead to harmful reactions will have to be clearly displayed on all pre-packed and loose folds that are sold directly to consumers.

The new legislation will come into effect on December 13 2014, therefore if you are set to implement any new labelling designs or styles for printing then now is the time to ensure that they apply with current EU directives.

The labelling rules according to European Directives 2003/89/EC and 2006/142/EC, already in force, are designed to ensure that all consumers are given adequate ingredient listings enabling them to make informed choices so that they are able to identify any potential reactions before they may occur. 

The new rules however, from the Food Information for Consumers Regulation (EU) No. 169/2011 do mean slight changes are coming this December.

This regulation builds on current provisions already in place for pre packed food and extends them now to sold non packed or pre-packed for direct sale food produce.

It is hoped that this more consistent approach will make it simpler for the allergic consumer to understand and determine if a food is likely to be harmful.

According to the regulatory list, there are a total of 14 allergens which must appear on labels if they are contained within the product being sold, these include:

·         Gluten

·         Crustaceans

·         Eggs

·         Milk

·         Fish

·         Peanuts

·         Molluscs

·         Nuts

·         Soy

·         Celery

·         Mustard

·         Sesame

·         Lupin

·         Sulphur

If you currently rely on printing machines to have your food packaging prepared, whether cardboard, plastic or film, ensure that it is ready for the new regulations. 

You can find further guidance here.

For all your paper and packaging printing requirements, take a look at our range of printing machines here or contact our specialist team of staff today. 

Garment labels: Effective textile care

As an essential part of making a decision to purchase a clothing garment, the care label of a piece of clothing provides all the necessary guidance and accurate information concerning the make-up of the item that the customer is looking to invest in.

Whether you work in the garment industry or not, we have all experienced those moments where we go to the washing machine and the item of clothing we go to take out has either shrunk, discoloured or gone saggy which is the point at which you wish you had paid more care to the wash and care label.

As an effective marketing tool when printed with the garment’s branding, the care and garment labels also serve a mandatory purpose in the UK and Europe, offering accurate information concerning fibre content, country of origin, care instructions and flammability of the textile.

With cleaner, fresher clothes meaning longer wear of the garment, consumers are more likely to look at the garment care label than any other type of labelling. With this in mind, we take a look at some of the most important things to consider when designing and printing your own care label and how you can use them effectively.

The Law

While the rules across Europe are similar (as set out in the Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011) requiring all textile products available to be labelled, marked and accompanied with commercial documents as per Article 4, they are not the same in all areas of the world, with the USA and Japan having their own labelling conditions.

In the UK, the 2012 Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations state that fibre content is mandatory on all textiles and apparel.

Branding

As the first thing your customers are likely to look at after seeing an article of clothing, the care label is one of the best places to position your company’s branding or logo.

If your customer has bought items from your brand before then it is likely this will evoke an experience of a familiar relationship between them and your brand and could increase their likelihood of purchase.

If this is the first time a consumer has encountered your brand whether through recommendation or their own experience, placing your branding on the garment label will increase confidence in your product and perhaps catalyse a future relationship between your brand and the consumer. 

Sizing

There are no standards sizing options in the clothing industry which is why all garments irrespective of design come with different sizing labels to insure accurate information is conveyed without confusing the customer.  Even a ‘one size fits all’ size will require clear sizing to enable the customer to know what they are purchasing.

While you may opt for a single labelling tab to communicate this, this is not always cost effective which is where a label combining materials, sizing and safety information may be more efficient so that the consumer can find everything they need in one place.

Fabric

As per EU and UK regulations the fibre content of garments is mandatory to ensure that consumers purchasing your garment understand the quality of their purchase and how to maintain and take care of it. The fibre content should all be labelled in percentage for accurate and universal understanding E.G. Wool 80%, Cotton 20%, this works in combination with care information to ensure that the garment lasts your customer a healthy amount of time.

Clearly labelling the fabric content of your item of clothing also helps the customer understand the safety requirements associated with that particular item, making sure that it is suitable for gym or sportswear or for wear in warmer environments, as examples.

How to care for your garment

Generally care labels incorporate details of the above not only for long lasting wear of the garment but also to ensure consumer safety. Items such as winter coats and blankets often require more specialised treatments when cleaning through dry cleaning or steaming services while others cannot withstand prolonged heat.  Therefore clear guidelines should be featured on clothing to ensure maximum performance from the item purchased.

Rather than in the form of extensive information, these guidelines usually come in the form of universal symbols.

Printing machines

As an important part of any garment or textile product, ensuring that your printed garment labels are produced and manufactured to the highest of standards is vital to improving and retaining confidence in your product.

Although quality should be present in the label, an efficient and fast rate of production is also imperative which is where the choice of the right printing machine comes in.

At Focus label we have two textile label machines available which are designed to work with varied label fibres including Taffeta, Nylon, Polyester and Satin and can also print on both sides enabling them to be sewn or attached to the garment during manufacture and last the full lifespan of the product.

Our LX Machine and B4 Machine both produce outstanding results which enhances quality and production output with patented protected systems of production and unrivalled performance.

 For further information on our label printing machines or any of our other Focus Label machinery please contact the team.

Alcoholic Beverages Labels

They are the most overlooked labels in a supermarket, labels on alcoholic beverages are rarely looked at past the brand name but some of them have great history and design behind the label.

To start we talk about one of the most peculiar labels on an alcoholic beverage. The Mr. Burglar whisky is a single malt Scotch whiskey which has ages for over 20 years and delivers 40% volume of alcohol with every taste. The label itself has an old fashioned burglar with a stubble filled face dressed in a stripe shirt, blazer, bowler hat, completing the outfit with a mask which barely covers his facial features.

To get the full effects of this label, you need to pick up the bottle with your hands on the label. As soon as you pull your grip away from the label you will notice that your hand print is clear to see, making this label a brilliant compliment to the brand name itself. What sort of witchcraft is this, you may ask, it’s not at all magic but the power of thermosensitive paper.

Jagermeister has become a popular alcoholic beverage in recent years but again the labelling behind the drink is often overlooked.

Ask the bartender for the history behind the heritage of the label and you may get an amusing answer ‘’O Deer God’’ (Oh Dear God) – the generic words uttered by someone waking up who has been on the Jagermeister all night.

In fact there is a great story behind the labelling. There is tales of a wild hunter who killed every creature in his path and who even hunted on the holy day of Sunday, until one faithful day a large white deer with a cross between its antlers confronted him.  After this day, he converted himself to Christianity.  In addition to the company’s logo, a German poem verse etched on the label which translates to the following:

‘’It is the hunter’s honour that he protects and preserves his game, hunts sportsmanlike, honours the creator in his creatures.‘’

First introduced in 2010 from the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago, the Kraken Black Spiced Rum is a black liquid which delivers 47 percentage of alcohol with a spicy taste including cinnamon, ginger and clove flavours. 

The brand is named after a legendary sea monster of giant proportions. The label teamed with the Victorian styled bottle creates an iconic look and stands out from the rest with the label showcasing a huge kraken sea monster with a ship in its grasp.

If you’re looking to mass produce labels for your alcoholic beverage contact the team at Focus Label today. We can supply a great range of printing machines to suit a range of requirements including paper & packaging printing which are ideal for labels on alcoholic beverages, food and meat casings. 

Iconic heat transfer brands

Heat transferring in the garment, textile and clothing industries involves decorating garments using a combination of heat, pressure and dwell to provide pre-printed graphics or wording to an item permanently.

Many clothing companies use heat transfers as a method of branding and it is a common practice also applied in the labelling of items which come into close contact with skin, including tight sports attire and underwear to avoid the unnecessary skin irritation that fiddly labels can cause.

When starting up a design company that uses heat transfer labels many designers opt to use silk screening on lower budget scales. However, as the growth of a business increases it is more than likely that you will need to invest in the correct type of machinery to ensure that your heat transfer garment can be produced on a larger scale with as few mistakes as possible.

Here is our break-down of the top companies and brands that have successfully used heat transfers:

1. Calvin Klein

The Calvin Klein underwear ranges offer classically designed undergarments made from lightweight cotton materials. As garments worn and washed every day it is vital that they can be washed while retaining their shape, style and comfort. 

You will find that the label on undershirts, boxer shorts and pants are heat-transferred onto the garments individually to ensure that there is minimal chaffing for the most ultimate of comfort, and what’s more is that they are completely water resistant.

2. Nike

The Nike Dri-Fit sports clothing worn predominantly by runners is designed to ensure maximum comfort while embarking on tough sports keeping the person wearing the garments cooler in summer and warmer in winter. The popular sports brand pops heat-transfers directly onto these garments which include t-shirts, ¾ length trousers, tracksuit bottoms and shorts for male and female customers.
They look great on the exterior of a garment and can provide a much cleaner look.
It is likely Nike opt for this type of print on their Dri-Fit products to ensure maximum comfort for the person wearing the garment as unnecessary chaffing or rubbing from embroidered logos could mean that the customer opts to wear clothing from a different brand.

3. Super Dry
Famous for its fusion of design influence from Japan and America this British company has combined graphic art from both countries to produce unique t-shirt designs which are placed using heat-transfer technology. The brand has now chosen to incorporate their designs onto jackets and trousers to widen their customer base. It is believed they use a form of vinyl as well as specialised inks combined with a screen-printing technology.

4. Adidas
This well known multi-national German brand has experimented with both embroidered and heat-transfer logo branding on all of their garments for many years. Much like Nike they chose to use the heat transfer vinyl’s on their sportier styles such as t-shirts, tight fitting trousers and sports underwear to ensure maximum comfort.
Anyone who works within textile printing will have debated over how the prints are applied as some dispute that there is a distinct border apparent on some of their sports products however we at Focus label believe it is a combination of print and cut vinyl.

5. Arsenal Football Club (Puma)
The brand new 2014/15 kit was unveiled recently and has used heat transfer methods in a new way. The home kit which is mostly red with a crew neck and white sleeves has heat transfer tapes which run down the length of the body of the shirt to accentuate the torso and provide a more fitted illusion. The logo of the kit supplier is not heat transferred as it was on previous football shirts, but embroidered onto the garment with the infamous Fly Emirates sponsored branding printed onto the front of the football shirt using cut vinyl and printing.

At Focus Label Machinery we manufacture two types of machinery that enable you to produce similar results:

· The LX machines
· The TagTrans machines

These all produce cost effective results on a mass production scale and have been created following dedicated research by us to ensure maximum efficiency, functionality and quality of results. You will also find that they produce garments which have wash resistant transfers and are free of a halo like most mass produced garments.

If you are looking for printing machines for your textile business or brand, which produce superior results, why not contact us today? Our team of technical support staff have a wealth of experience and are extensively experienced in each of our machines.

Our top 10 of iconic food labels through the years

The labelling of food whether on paper, card, stickers or plastic has the ability to sell a product within seconds – from choosing the right colours and materials right through to the correct branding – the key to a successful food product is not just in the eating.

A successful food label can be the means of successful marketing for food – particularly when you’re attempting to make it stand out from similar products on the shelves.

Here at Focus Label we manufacture a range of flexographic printing and digital label printing machine equipment for the narrow web label and packaging print industry to ensure that you produce the correct labelling and printed packaging for your product or clients products.

From bespoke labelling through to more mainstream and commercial production equipment – we can cater to your printing press needs to ensure successful marketing for food products through packaging for your product.

Here is our list of the TOP 10 most iconic food labels through the years:

1. Coca-Cola

Expelling the myth that digital printing is only suitable for short run printing - the Coca Cola personalised branding label campaign, which began last year, has catapulted digital printing into the packaging mainstream. Originally designed to help Coca-Cola engage on a personal level with its consumers in 32 countries the label features the distinctive Coke red colour maintain confidence in the brand and was created using a combination of ClFlexo and Gravure digital printing.

2. Marmite

Marmite was originally conceived in 1902 – it’s label pictures a French stock pot which is what the name Marmite actually means – this makes it more personal and gives it the home-made touch, perhaps targeting a particular type of customer such as the house-wife or family parent. The packaging is distinctive with its yellow lid and is something the brand has kept to over the years ensuring familiarity and brand trust.

3. Heinz Tomato Ketchup

Heinz embarked on a complete redesign of its tomato ketchup label in early 2008 after more than 40 years. However it has still kept confidence in its brand with the familiar printing styles. The green and gold bordering lines have been emboldened and help emphasise the brands royal warrant. The image of the tomato on the vine also promotes its use of natural ingredients – completely customer focused.

4. Hartley's Jam

A fairly traditional brand but its label has been one key part to its success in the ‘jam and condiments’ section in supermarkets and small shops. With a simple and modern designed the label targets everyone. The emboldened brand name ensures that the brand has confidence in what they are selling.

5. Sun-Pat Peanut Butter

Not launched until the 1960’s Sun-Pat brought peanut butter production to the UK. The logo is clearly printed and the main focus of the label and has not changed much since the 60’s once again ensuring consumer trust. The yellow lid makes it distinctive however, Sun-Pat have ensured they've not over-complicated the design of their packaging by sticking to a clear colour scheme – blue and yellow for smooth and green and yellow for the crunchy option.

6. Innocent Smoothies

The Innocent Smoothies made the wonderful decision to make their labels part of their marketing campaign – by making each flavour of their smoothies our friends. By depicting simple doodles for each flavour it adds a personal touch appealing to both children and families. Their simple design also pairs well with their ‘Innocent’ brand name. Their personal touch of creating over-familiar human, informal sayings both inform and entertain, creating interaction with the brand; something which has influenced numerous brands to do something very similar.

7. Brewdog Beer

The Scottish beer brand has drawn attention to the craft that’s gone into making the beer in clever, original and inexpensive labelling. Through doing this they’ve not only created a brand identity that is distinguished but has been able to target both fresh and cool and those who like the traditional and heritage based products. It is a beer label that definitely stands out from the crowd.

8. HP Brown Sauce

Over the many years that HP’s Brown Sauce has been sold it has pictured the Houses of Parliament to draw attention to the brand’s humble beginnings. It also creates trust in the brand by carrying something through. The HP logo is clearly printed and emboldened ensuring the customer knows they are buying a trusted sauce. In recent years, the brand has chosen to give away limited editions of personally labelled bottles which is an excellent example of how a label can be used in successful marketing.

9. Colman’s English Mustard

The Bull’s head logo has been used since 1855 and represents tradition and quality which ensures trust is maintained in the brand throughout its use. The distinctive yellow packaging has had a royal warrant since 1866. There is no clear reference to what the product is on the label other than ‘English Mustard’ however that reveals just how confident Colman’s are in their product because it is so well known.

10. Bovril

An iconic label produced by Unilever- UV inks are used on both the front and back labels and is just another example of a label you will see in homes all over the world. Bold, simple and timeless. 

We can provide you with a variety of printing machines for labelling your product, for more information on Focus Label Machinery Limited please visit our contact us page and get in touch by phone, email or via the online enquiry form. 

The dFlex Machine

It is increasingly common to give customers the option of making small orders as an incentive to using your printing company.  The dFlex machine from Focus Label is particularly suitable for specialist label manufacturers that want to be able to cater for customers who make small volume orders. It enables you to satisfy these customers without losing out financially.

So how does it work? The dFlex uses Inkjet, a form of "non-contact printing technology" which works by using tiny droplets of ink created by electrical signals. The drops then spread to form the image before being cured under a UV drying system. No printing plates or screens are necessary and you can save a lot of money in set up times.

Inkjet technology combined with flexo print labels means that labels can be printed, coated, and converted in line at just the push of a button. Four colours and white are possible within the current production speeds which are 20-70 Mts/min.

There are many aspects that make the dFlex Machine a worthwhile investment including:

• Lean manufacturing:  a form of manufacturing based on the principle that the cost of resources for anything should add value; if they do not then it is a waste of money.
• Integrated converting solution
• Print & supply on demand
• Reduced waste with a single pass operation
• High end print driver software & RIP
• Variable information printing
• White option
• No click charges
• Synthetic & paper substrates (coated)
• Combine digital & flexo printing applications
• Re-register option for pre-printed webs from other
• digital equipment
• Stand alone flexo printing, converting & coating press

This type of technology is ideal for single pass inkjet printing in the manufacture of labels and other flexible packaging applications. It makes high speed, short run production a much smoother process.

Please bear in mind that roll-to-roll inkjet printing differs from traditional methods used in label decoration. Careful selection of substrates and/or coatings will need to be considered.

Focus Label is a packaging manufacturer with over 30 years’ experience. Contact us on 01949 836 223 or admin@focuslabel.com for more details.

The Centraflex Machine

Today when people are choosing a printing machine they are looking for something that is cost efficient but that also produces top quality products at a fast rate; all of which we strive to achieve at Focus Label.

If you are looking for a paper and packaging printing machine then the Centraflex machine from Focus Label could be perfect for you; this range of central impression flexographic machines combines high quality printing with a compact design, which we understand are both important aspects that are often required.

These presses are used for many specialised printing and converting applications and can be used for converting a wide range of products such as flexible films, labels, tickets, meat casings and much more.

There are two machines in this range, the Centraflex 250/300 and the Centraflex 250/300 UV, to see detailed specifications of the two just click here, but here is a summary of both the machines’ features:

• With the Centraflex you can choose between a UV and IR drying system. You have individual control over each head which allows for close monitoring of heat management.

• For packaging and casing applications a turn bar is provided, this allows printing on both sides of the substrate to occur simultaneously.

• The machine is equipped with quick release 2 roll flexographic cartridges or can be supplied with enclosed cartridges and ink pumps. Even on the most difficult of substrates the print station achieves accuracy and stability.

• The central drum in this press provides excellent control over unsupported substrates. If you opt for the larger equipment, a chill system is present for total monitoring and control over heat management.

• A single, automatic web guide is provided; you can also get a second unit for control over multiple webs.

• Direct torque motors ensure that during rewind it has complete tension control over all substrates; 75mm air cores are standard, but other sizes are available.

• The unwind module has a large capacity and includes automatic tension control as standard; one or two unwinds can be supplied. If desired, the module can also accept a web cleaner and corona treater; these ensure that the substrate is in optimum condition before printing and converting.

• For products such as labels, tickets or small cartons the press can be fitted with a stacking system, this collects sheets by stacking on the delivery table and is even able to assist in batch counting.

• Various options are available for over lamination of synthetic films and removal of waste matrix.

• For live monitoring of the web for colour and print quality, video inspection systems are available.

• For label, ticket and carton production rotary die stations are available; these handle complex cutting and converting requirements.

• For the trimming or splitting of webs, a slitting system is provided, perforation blades can also be provided.

• In order to make the best of this machine, Focus has designed its own cold foil application system for value added printing applications.

For more information on this machine, or any of our other products just give Focus a call!

The Benefits of Ultrasonic Cutting

Ultrasonic cutting technology uses sound frequencies to generate vibrations; these vibrations are what move the cutting blade of the machines. The high speed of these vibrations mean that the blade moves back and forth thousands of times per second which enables the cutting blade to cut through materials with ease, even those materials that are more difficult to cut; this is because the high speed prevents anything from sticking to or moving with the cutting blade.

The high speed movement not only leads to easy cutting but also to the generation of heat, this heat can often seal fabric once it has been cut, meaning that fraying can be prevented.

This type of machinery is used in many different industries, often in the food and the textiles industries; this is because of its ability to cut a wide range of materials with precision.

There are many benefits to ultrasonic cutting technology and of course it will not always be suitable, but here are a few of the main benefits of this type of machinery:

• It can cut many different materials meaning that it can be used in cases when other cutting techniques would struggle.
• This process results in neat, smooth edges which can eliminate the need for other machinery; this means that both time and money can be saved.
• The ability for precision cutting means that this process is ideal for applications where a high level of accuracy is required.
• The heat produced by the vibrations results in a thermal seal on the materials edges; this eliminates the need for some other processes so saves time and money.

All of this means that a higher quality of products are able to be produced and at a faster rate, which can only be a positive thing for manufacturers.

The History of Printing

Since the beginning of printing things have changed a lot, of course the type of printing used can depend entirely on the material being printed on, however when you look back at the progression of printing technologies in history it is amazing to see what has been achieved.

The very first printing methods date back to thousands of year ago, starting with block printing. Although it is impossible to pinpoint exactly when these methods were first use but this is the simple technique by which the print design is carved onto a material (traditionally wood), which is then covered in dye and then pressed onto the material that you want to print on.

Next came movable type which is the system of printing that uses movable pieces to reproduce elements of a document, most commonly letters, punctuation and symbols. As these pieces were made of metal this was much more durable than block printing and was also quicker. This process first appeared around the 11^th Century with the first metal movable type coming around 13^th Century.

The 15^th Century saw the arrival of the printing press, this process involved applying pressure on the material on which you wish to print, which rests on a movable type which is covered in ink. It is said that the printing press is one of the most influential inventions, and changed the face of printing.

Next came lithography in the 18^th Century, this process was based on the discovery that oil and water do not mix; it involved an image being drawn with oil, wax or fat onto a flat surface (lithographic stone), the non image areas were left blank and then when the surface was moistened these non-image areas retained the moisture. Then when an oil-based ink was applied to the surface, the ink would stick only to the image and would be repelled by the moistened areas. This would then be pressed onto the printing material and the image would be transferred.

Following on from this was chromolithography, which was a development of lithography which involved several colours. It involved the use of multiple lithographic stones, one for each colour.

The 19^th Century saw the arrival on the rotary printing press, this allowed printing to be done on continuous rolls of material. It involved the images being carved around a cylinder which the material to be printed on is then fed through.

Later on in the 19^th Century came offset printing, this is a commonly used printing process in which an inked image is offset from a plate onto a rubber blanket, then from the rubber blanket onto the printing surface.

The early 20^th Century saw screen printing make an appearance, this process uses a stencil of an image on a mesh screen, a roller is used to pull ink over the stencil which transfers through the mesh and onto the printing surface; a different mesh stencil is used for each separate colour.

Flexographic printing arrived around a similar time; this is mostly used for packaging (so labels, tape, bags, boxes etc) and is also known as flexo. This technique involves the creation of a mirrored master of the required image as a 3D relief on a rubber material; a controlled amount of ink is deposited on the surface of the printing plate using an anilox roll which in turn transfers the image onto to the printing surface.

Inkjet printing which is the most commonly used type of printer came in the Fifties, it works by propelling droplets of ink onto the printing surface.

The laser printer arrived in 1969, this is a digital printing process that produces high quality prints at a fast pace. This process involves a laser beam projecting an image of what is to be printed onto an electrically charged rotating drum which is coated in photoconductors, photoconductivity leads to charge leaking away from the areas which are exposed to the laser; ink particles are then electrostatically picked up by the drums charged areas (those that have not been exposed to the laser). The image is then printed onto the paper by the drum and the ink is fused to the paper by heat.

These last two printing techniques are digital printing methods; digital printing is fast and economical and is now the most common form of printing.

It is clear to see how much printing technologies have progressed over the years, from carvings on wooden blocks to laser beams...whatever will be next?!