In today’s fast-paced and image-conscious world, printing is far more than putting ink on paper. From business branding and packaging to personal projects and event materials, printing plays a vital role in communication, promotion and presentation. But with so many options available, understanding the different types of printing—and when to use each—can be confusing. Whether you’re a small business owner in Basingstoke or a design student preparing your first portfolio, knowing your litho from your digital, or your screen print from your risograph, can make all the difference to the outcome of your project. At Ostrich Print, based in the heart of Basingstoke, we help individuals and businesses choose the right method for the job. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the main types of printing, exploring what makes each unique, where they work best, and what you need to consider before sending anything to print.
Digital Printing: Fast, Flexible and Cost-Effective
Digital printing is one of the most common and accessible forms of print today. It involves transferring a digital image directly onto the print surface—usually paper or card—using high-speed inkjet or laser printers. Unlike traditional methods, digital printing doesn’t require plates or complex setup, making it ideal for short runs, quick turnarounds and custom prints. One of the main benefits of digital printing is its flexibility. You can print one item or thousands, and every piece can be different if needed. This makes it perfect for personalised materials like business cards, flyers, invitations or menus. Because there’s no setup time, jobs can often be turned around within 24 to 48 hours—especially handy if you’ve got a last-minute event at Festival Place or need something ready before a networking event near Basing View. However, digital printing can be more expensive per unit for larger print runs, and colour consistency can sometimes vary slightly compared to more traditional methods. That said, the quality has improved massively in recent years, and for many day-to-day applications, it’s more than sufficient.
Lithographic (Offset) Printing: High-Quality at Scale
Lithographic, or offset printing, remains the gold standard for high-volume print jobs where consistency and quality are essential. This method uses metal plates to transfer ink onto rubber rollers, which then print onto the surface of the paper. It might sound old-school, but it’s still widely used today, especially for things like brochures, magazines, catalogues and stationery. One of litho’s main advantages is its cost-effectiveness for bulk orders. Although the setup is more involved and initial costs are higher, the price per unit drops significantly as the volume increases. It also offers excellent colour accuracy, a wider range of paper types and finishes, and superior sharpness, making it ideal for professional and brand-sensitive materials. If your business near Houndmills is planning a large print campaign or preparing a suite of marketing collateral for a regional trade fair, lithographic printing might be your best bet. It’s not as quick as digital printing, but if quality matters and your quantities are high, it’s a worthwhile investment.
Screen Printing: Bold, Durable and Versatile
Screen printing is a traditional technique that involves pushing ink through a fine mesh screen onto the printing surface. It’s been around for centuries and is still widely used today—especially for clothing, textiles, and promotional merchandise like tote bags and mugs. Each colour in a design is applied using a separate screen, which makes it ideal for bold, simple graphics and flat colours. What makes screen printing stand out is its durability. The ink is thicker and more vibrant than many other methods, so it’s perfect for items that need to withstand wear and washing. It’s particularly popular for producing branded apparel, which might be worn by staff at a pop-up event in Eastrop Park or sold as merchandise at a local music festival. The downside is that screen printing becomes less practical for small quantities or full-colour gradients. It requires a setup for each colour, which can become costly and time-consuming for short runs or highly detailed images. However, when you need impact and longevity—especially on fabric—screen printing delivers every time.
Large Format Printing: Go Big or Go Home
As the name suggests, large format printing is used when you need to print at scale. This includes banners, posters, signage, display boards, exhibition stands and even vehicle wraps. Using specialised wide-format printers, this method allows you to produce vibrant, high-resolution graphics on a wide range of materials including vinyl, canvas, foam board and PVC. This type of printing is ideal for catching the eye in public spaces, whether that’s a retail window display near The Malls or signage for a festival at War Memorial Park. It’s also commonly used for trade shows, outdoor advertising, and in-store promotions where size, visibility and durability are key. Because it uses digital technology, large format printing can be done relatively quickly, and one-off items are absolutely feasible. Just be sure your artwork is set up correctly and at the right resolution—there’s nowhere for low-quality images to hide at this scale!
Risograph Printing: Retro Charm Meets Eco-Conscious Appeal
Though less common, risograph printing has carved out a niche for itself in the creative and eco-conscious communities. Originating in Japan, the risograph machine works like a hybrid of photocopying and screen printing. It uses soy-based inks and stencil-style printing drums to layer colours onto paper, producing unique, slightly imperfect prints that are full of texture and character. Riso printing is particularly popular for zines, art prints, posters and short-run booklets. Its aesthetic has a handmade, lo-fi charm that resonates with designers, illustrators and artists. Because it uses minimal energy and environmentally-friendly inks, it’s also seen as one of the greener printing methods available. If you’re an independent creative working from a shared studio in South View or a design student exhibiting at the Proteus Creation Space, risograph printing offers a distinctive and sustainable option that feels fresh and original.
Flexographic Printing: Perfect for Packaging and Labels
Flexographic printing, often called flexo, is widely used in the packaging industry. It uses flexible relief plates and fast-drying inks to print on a variety of materials including plastics, foils, paper and even corrugated cardboard. It’s particularly well-suited for high-speed, high-volume runs—think food packaging, stickers, labels and wrapping paper. This method is ideal for businesses that require consistent, large-scale production of packaging materials. It’s versatile enough to handle both simple designs and complex patterns, and it can be used on almost any surface. While the initial setup costs are relatively high, the speed and volume make it highly efficient in the long run. If your business near Daneshill is looking to scale up product packaging or label printing, flexo might be the smart, scalable choice—especially if you’re managing production in partnership with fulfilment centres or manufacturers.
Sublimation Printing: Ideal for Custom Merchandise
Sublimation printing is a process that turns solid dye into gas without passing through the liquid stage. This dye is then absorbed into polyester-based materials, resulting in vibrant, full-colour prints that are permanent and resistant to fading. It’s most commonly used for custom products like mugs, phone cases, sportswear and mouse mats. Unlike screen or transfer printing, sublimation embeds the ink into the material itself, rather than sitting on top of it. This gives a smooth, professional finish that doesn’t crack or peel. The catch is that it only works on polyester fabrics or specially coated surfaces, so it’s not suitable for every project. This type of printing is ideal for personal gifts, company swag or team apparel—perfect if you’re running a community sports event in Kempshott or stocking a pop-up gift shop in Hatch Warren. Sublimation allows full-colour, all-over designs that look great and last.
Choosing the Right Printing Method for Your Project
With so many printing options available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. But in most cases, the decision comes down to a few key factors: quantity, budget, turnaround time, material, and the type of finish you want. Digital printing is excellent for short runs and quick jobs, while litho is unbeatable for larger volumes where colour precision and cost-per-unit matter. Screen printing offers unmatched vibrancy and durability for fabric-based items, and large format is the go-to for anything bold and oversized. Meanwhile, risograph adds artistic flair, flexo dominates the packaging sector, and sublimation opens the door to vibrant custom merchandise. If you’re unsure which method suits your project, that’s where we come in. At Ostrich Print, our team has years of experience working across all these printing techniques. We’ll take the time to understand your needs, talk you through the pros and cons, and recommend the best approach—whether you’re printing 10 flyers for a gig or 10,000 labels for a product launch.
Print That Makes an Impression
In a digital world, print still has the power to stop people in their tracks. It’s tactile, visual, and often more memorable than anything on screen. But for it to truly make an impact, you need the right method behind it. By understanding the different types of printing and where they shine, you can make smarter choices that suit your message, audience and budget. Whether you’re promoting a business near Chineham Business Park, preparing for a creative market in Basingstoke town centre, or simply want your brand to look its best, Ostrich Print is here to help. From advice and design to production and delivery, we offer a complete print service tailored to your goals—with quality and reliability at the heart of everything we do.
To find out more, get in touch with the team of print experts at Ostrich Print.