PrintoLUX® system comparison

Process comparison

Screen printing

Largely resistant printing results can be obtained with screen printing, but there are significant restrictions with infinitely variable colour transitions and photorealistic images. The fact that in this process separate films and printings screens are required for each printing colour leads to high setup costs with small quantities or multi-coloured motifs. Multi-colours can lead to register problems. 

PrintoLUX®

The main advantage of the PrintoLUX® process over screen printing is that it is cheaper. This applies particularly to the production of small series with the same content and to multi-colour printing. The PrintoLUX® system is basically suitable for printing materials with the same or different contents (for example different numbers, figures or barcodes). Other direct advantages of PrintoLUX®: more design options through defined colour tones in conjunction with the PrintoLUX® colour profile, simple integration in production processes as well as significantly lower total costs for in-house production. The easy handling of PrintoLUX® does not require any qualified personnel, which is particularly noticeable in overall costing. 

Comparison Screen printing PrintoLUX® process

Material

   

Type of material

   
Acrylic   yes, verso
Aluminium, anodized coloured, AL    
Aluminium, white matt, AS    
Aluminium, anodized natural, AL    
Aluminium dibond, DB    
Glass, matt or pretreated   yes, verso
Adhesive foil, polyester (white, silver, transparent) PK    
PrintoLUX® aluminium, AE    
PrintoLUX® stainless steel, VE    
PrintoLUX® brass, ME    
Laminated board (formica-like), RP    
Plastic plates, polyester, PY    
Keyboard foils, PD    

Resistance (material- dependent)

   

UV

   
at least 1 year    
at least 3 years    
at least 8 years    

Chemical

   
Alcohol/ethanol    
Oils    
Cold cleaner    
Acetone    
Acid not resistant  
Toluene    

Physical

   
Fingernail test    
Tape test    
Flying sparks test not resistant  
High pressure cleaning/Dry ice cleaning scarcely resistant  

Design

   

Colours

   
Monochrome    
Polychrome (RAL and Pantone)    
Infinitely variable colour transitions not available very good
Photo quality not available very good

Printing mode

   
Reproduction text files    
Reproduction graphic files    
Reproduction photo files    
Reproduction barcode files    
Changes between texts, charts, barcodes    

Resolution

   
Resolution (300 to 5.760 dpi) medium (up to 720 dpi) photorealistic (5.760 dpi)

Specialist knowledge

   

Software

   
Windows printer driver    
Macintosh printer driver    
No special software required    
Training requirements Intensive training Basic training

Production

   

Operation and serial printing

   
Single piece production    
In-line/Integration    
Direct printing not available  
Special preparation required Screen Pretreatment

Workplace safety

   
General workplace environment Workshop Office (noiseless)
Impairments (in-office use) Odour Slight odour
Notes on workplace safety Odour none

Cost

   

Investment for industrial workstation

   
Expenditure 30.000 € upwards from 3.540 €