Model sheet print methods

This overview shows print methods that are used for printing card model sheets, and their main characteristics.
Compiled by Dieter Nievergelt (d.nievergelt ( at ) kartonmodellbau.org), April 2007

Technology	Printing Plate	Printing element	Half-tone creation	Printed image characteristics (as visible at about 30-fold magnification)
Relief print
Wood engraving	Wooden plate	Embossed surface	Hatching	The paper surface acquires a slight relief structure. Color bulges at edges, often accompanied by a lighter offset line. Regular point raster for half-tones.
Book print	Movable type (metal), metal plate (cliché)		Hatching, point raster
Rotary-relief print	Metal cylinder with relief (type, raster, line)		Hatching, point raster
Gum print	Rubber-coated metal cylinder with relief (type, raster, lines, hatching)
Gravure print
Copperplate engraving	Polished copper plate	Engraved lines	Hatching	Printed lines appear minimally embossed. Very sharp line edges.
Copper (roto)gravure	Polished copper plate (or roller)	Engraved square pits	Pit raster	The pit raster can be recognized easily.
Planography
Lithography (pen-and-ink lithography, chalk lithograph, pen-and-ink chalk lithograph)	Polished limestone plate	Printing and non-printing surfaces are in the same plane. The printing parts of teh surface have been drawn on with oil, fat, or wax and the plate is them moistened. The oil-based ink is repelled by the moistened surfaces and only sticks to the drawing itself.	Hatching, points, grain structure of the stone	Slightly frayed edges. Irregular/adaptive point raster for half-tones.
Zincography	Zinc or aluminium sheet mounted on roller		Hatching, points, grain structure of the plate, raster
Offset print (offset lithograph)	Aluminium sheet mounted on roller		Hatching, grain or point raster	Well-defined, sharp edges without blurring or color changes. Regular or (more modern) irregular point raster for half-tones.
Offset print	Aluminium sheet mounted on roller		Hatching, point raster
Screen print	Wooden frame with textile mesh	The mesh is coated with a light-sensitive substance and then exposed to light. The exposed parts become insoluble; the non-exposed parts are washed out with a solvent, creating a negative template. The mesh frame is placed on the paper, and color is pressed through the washed-out parts with a rubber squeegee.		The print has a relatively thick, opaque color coating; the mesh structure is visible.
Digital print
Laser print		Color particles are transferred to the paper by an electrostatic process and then fixated ("baked on") by heat.	Point or line raster	Overlapping, baked-together color particles may create slightly frayed edges.
Inkjet print		Very small ink droplets are sprayed onto the paper through micro-nozzles.	Point or line raster	In older (non-professional) printers glyphs and lines may have slightly frayed edges. Bad maintenance may cause irregular micro-splashes.