What is Commercial Printing? A Comprehensive Overview

There are many ways people choose to divvy up the print industry and the services it performs. Historically, one of the most popular ways has been to separate printers by their specialty. That’s where the term commercial printing comes from. It’s an umbrella term used by professional printers to refer to all of the print methods, products, and services they provide to businesses and other commercial enterprises.

 Commercial printing jobs tend to be:

• High-volume
• Related to marketing OR internal operations

Commercial printing is also traditionally considered distinct from package printing and publishing. This is because, particularly in the past, printers would often focus on one of these specialties more or less exclusively. However, things are a little different in the modern era. These days, top-quality printers like Wallace Carlson can offer their clients a holistic suite of print services, thanks to the adoption of advanced technology and strong expertise in print innovation.

Still, commercial printing remains an oft-used term, so it’s worth understanding its scope. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive overview. Read on to learn all about the top commercial printing techniques and products, the commercial printing process, and what a difference it makes to work with a top-quality commercial printer.

Types of Commercial Printing 

The two most common techniques used in commercial printing are:

• Digital printing
• Offset printing

Digital printing uses an industrial version of the inkjet and laser printers found in homes and offices. It’s the preferred method for lower quantity jobs, since it doesn’t require the creation of any customized plates and thus has a lower initial cost.

Offset printing uses custom plates and rollers to create prints. These custom plates cost more upfront. However, that cost is offset by the lower ink costs over time, making offset printing the preferred method for higher quantity jobs. It’s also preferred when perfect color accuracy is critical.

In addition to these two main techniques, there are several other commercial printing techniques that may be used for specific applications. These include:

• Large Format Printing
• Screen Printing
• Letterpress Printing
• Lithographic Printing
• Flexographic Printing

For more on the different techniques used in commercial printing, check out our post dedicated to the topic.

The Benefits of Commercial Printing for Businesses

While some examples of commercial printing can only be done at scale with professional equipment, others can technically be done with just an office printer. However, there are two strong incentives for using a commercial printing partner even when a DIY version is possible – quality and cost effectiveness.

A professional printer has access to a much wider variety of materials, as well as a sophisticated understanding of how to use them. Professional print technology also creates crisper, brighter, and more accurate images and text than basic office equipment. Professional print technology and experience are also required to achieve true, perfect color-matching, which is critical for brand consistency. Take all this together, and the quality of professionally printed commercial products is incomparable to DIY jobs. And when you consider that quality is directly related to the impression your business makes, it’s simply good business to go for the superior option.

As for cost effectiveness, this can seem a little counterintuitive at first blush. After all, the main reason someone would even consider cutting corners with printing is savings. However, commercial printing is usually much more cost effective for high-quantity printing jobs, thanks to the efficiency of professional printing techniques and material sourcing.

The Commercial Printing Process

When you approach a commercial printer with a new job request, the process will usually follow three basic steps (similar to the publication printing process).

Step 1 is to hammer out the details. You’ll share your file(s) with your printer, and they’ll ask questions about print quantity, how the final pieces will be used, and your goals for the look and feel. An experienced print partner may also make recommendations about how to optimize your design for printing.

Step 2 involves signing off on the final proof of the print. All stakeholders will need to review and approve the proof. This final review includes things like a final proofread, checking for color accuracy, etc. Only once everyone confirms the proof is good to go will the printing begin in earnest.

Step 3 is printing and finishing. Depending on the print methods used, the time required for this step will vary. Complex print products, such as those with multiple specialty finishes or those that require binding, may need to move through several machines before they’re done.

Throughout the printing process, your printer will conduct regular quality control checks to ensure every copy is accurate to the approved proof.

Common Applications 

When it comes to how commercial printing is used, the sky’s the limit. If it’s being done at the behest of a commercial client, it can be considered commercial printing, no matter how unusual or innovative the final product is.

However, some commercial print applications are definitely more common than others. These include:

• Marketing Collateral – i.e. flyers, postcards, catalogs, leave-behind materials for sales teams, POS displays, signs.
• Stationary – i.e. envelopes, letter paper, invitations, announcements, notepads
• Internal Documents – i.e. training manuals, style guides, investor presentations, certificates, posters.

At Wallace Carlson, we’ve been helping businesses of all types and sizes create beautiful print materials for nearly 100 years. From award winning designs to best-in-the-business eco-friendly commercial printing practices, we’re here to help you achieve all of your commercial printing goals. Ready to get started? Get in touch with our team today!