his post highlights the most popular types of printing machines and their use for business and industrial needs. Let’s start with the most common one. If you’re a beginner or professional in bespoke printing services, printing machines are one of your most important pieces of equipment you need in everyday printing.

There are many types of printers available today, each is best suited for a particular job or print operation. You will also consider your budget when choosing a printer for your business. Here is our list of popular printing machines you need to know: how they work and how to use them.

As a printing company in Nigeria with years of experience in the industry, you can Contact us for a free consultation if you need help buying your print equipment.

12 Types of Printing Machines for Your Business

#1. Laser Printers

Laser printers are the most common type of printing machines. For some time now, this type of printing machine has been a popular choice for consumers, for both office and home use. Just as the name suggests, a laser printer uses a laser beam to heat a toner material, which then embeds itself onto the paper.

Most laser printing machines are monochrome, which means they only print in black and white. However, there are a few colour laser printers as well. Although the toner cartridges are more expensive than normal ink, they always last longer.

Laser printing machines are sometimes chosen by customers, as they seem to have a faster print speed than inkjet printers [on average]. Sometimes, they end up with a higher print quality too. Please note that even the most affordable laser printers are still more expensive than your normal Inkjet printers.

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#2. Inkjet Printers

Inkjet Printers have set a standard for consumer and home use printing, and here’s why.

• They are very affordable to purchase
• Their ink is very affordable and easy to refill
• Inkjet Printers produce high-quality colour prints
• They also output fast monochrome [black and white] prints

What are inkjet Printers Used for?

Now here’s the thing about Inkjet printing machines. The ink is more affordable than that of laser printers, but it also lasts for shorter periods. They are mainly used for desktop printing as compared to commercial printing.

Inkjet is good for users that only print once in a while, or for those who don’t really need the highest printing quality. They have the largest range of printing capabilities when compared to other types of printing machines. They can print in high resolution on photo paper, text on traditional papers, labels or specialty stickers and papers, etc.

#3. Sublimation Printers

Also known as dye-sub, this type of industrial printing machine is used for printing on specific solid surfaces, for example, plastic, fabric, wood, metal. One common feature of dye sublimation printers is their ability to produce long-lasting and high-quality prints. And here’s how it works.

Dye-sublimation printers use a specialized process to transfer dye onto various materials, primarily fabrics and specially coated surfaces. The technology involves heating solid dye, which turns into a gas without passing through a liquid phase, and then embedding it into the material. This results in vibrant, durable prints that are resistant to fading, cracking, or peeling.

This printing machine is ideal for producing custom apparel, banners, and promotional items, offering high-resolution, full-color graphics with smooth gradients and sharp details. They are particularly effective on polyester fabrics and coated substrates, making them a popular choice for creating high-quality, long-lasting prints with exceptional color depth and clarity.

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#4. 3D Printers

3D printing is one of the latest and emerging technologies worth looking into. We have written an in-depth article on how 3D printing works. Instead of the usual traditional printing of pictures and text on paper, 3D Printers can print out physical three-dimensional objects.

With the help of computers and advanced software programs, we can create prototypes, print out toys, duplicate and make copies of hard-to-find components of common items. As of the moment of writing this, 3D printing is still a work in progress. It’s not yet available to mass public use on a large scale.

#5. Offset Printers

Offset printing is a common printing method where the inked image is transferred (or offset) from a plate to a rubber blanket and then to the printing surface (substrate). When combined with lithographic printing methods, the machine can output vivid and sharper images in large quantities.

Offset lithography is one of the most common ways of printing high-quality materials. It can be used for newspapers printing, magazines, brochures, stationery, and books printing. This type of printing machine is best suited for producing large quantities of high-quality prints while also saving cost.

Although the printing machine itself is very expensive, the subsequent printing process is more affordable [in the long run]. Offset printers are not the type you can easily find in people’s homes or small offices like inkjets. They’re mostly used by professionals and large-scale printing companies.

#6. Wireless Printers

Obviously, this needs no introduction. It’s no different from your normal home or office printer, except that it’s wireless and can print from multiple computer devices and smart phones that are within its network.

Pros of Wireless Printing Machines

3. Users can connect their computers, laptop and other electronic devices without the need for cables. Also, there’s less risk of fire hazards and electric surges.
4. Multitasking. If many people in an office are working on different documents, each of them can print their work from wherever they are (desks), as long as they are connected to the wireless printer.
5. A wireless printer eliminates the need for multiple printers connecting to each PCs. Also, you won’t have to worry about refilling the ink and toner cartridges for each printer in every office.

You will also save money since wireless printers don’t need cable installation and connectors.

Cons of Wireless Printing Machines

1. Without a wireless network, you cannot use a wireless printer. This means you have to set up an access point. You can do that by getting a wireless router.
2. There’s the problem of interference [which is more common in large office complexes].
3. With everyone making calls, surfing the internet, listening to the radio and the like, there can be network interference, which will make your wireless printer slow sometimes.
4. Let’s talk about the range. Just like every other wireless device, the range depends on the price. Distance doesn’t matter in wired printers, as long as you have long cables.

However, that doesn’t apply to wireless printers. You’ll have to find a spot from where it can be accessible to all users in the building.

Learn: How to Reduce Printing Costs for your Business

#7. Digital Printers or DI Printers

Digital printing is a method of printing from a digital-based image directly to a variety of media. It usually refers to professional printing where small-run jobs from desktop publishing and other digital sources are printed using large-format printers and/or high-volume laser or inkjet printers.

Digital printers use digital files to produce high-quality prints directly onto various substrates, including paper, fabric, and more. Unlike traditional offset printing, digital printing does not require plates, allowing for quicker turnaround times and cost-effective short runs.

You can find a number of manufactures in digital press that are ideal for business and commercial printers, in-house personal printing and publishing. These printers offer exceptional color accuracy, detail, and flexibility, making them ideal for customized and on-demand projects. They are commonly used for a wide variety of printing processes, producing marketing materials, custom apparel, large-format prints, gift items, displays and packaging.

#8. All-in-one Printers (AIO)

Many of us have probably seen this in some offices, coffee shops or business centers. All-in-one printing machines are made to include extra devices that are useful in offices. This includes a printer, scanner, fax machine and most times a copier or photocopying machine.

The aim is to improve office functionality and productivity while also reducing space and cost of printing machines. For instance, you won’t have to set up different power sockets for your printer, fax, scanner and photocopy machine.

#9. DTF Printers

DTF (Direct-to-Film) printers are cutting-edge machines designed to transfer vibrant, high-quality prints onto various fabrics. These printers use specialized inks and films to create detailed, colorful designs that adhere well to both natural and synthetic materials.

The direct to film printing is a unique technique that involves printing designs on special transparent films, applying adhesive powder, and then transferring them onto garments with the help of heat transfer machines.

DTF printers are known for their versatility, allowing for borderless printing on a wide range of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and blends. They offer excellent color accuracy, sharp detail, and long-lasting results, making them ideal for custom apparel, promotional items, and more.

Read: 5 Reasons To Hire A Graphic Designer in Nigeria

#10. Large Format Printers

Large format printer, also known as a wide format printer is a form of digital printers that have the capability of producing much larger printed objects than your standard office inkjet machines. They are designed to produce high-quality prints on oversized materials, typically ranging from 18 inches to over 100 inches wide.

As a digital printer, it involves your artwork being created on a computer and send direct to the machine which will now transfer your image to various substrates, including vinyl, fabric, canvas, stickers, papers and other materials. These printers are ideal for creating banners, posters, trade show displays, and large-scale signage and effective promotion for events, advertising, and décor. They use advanced inkjet or UV technologies to deliver sharp, vibrant images with excellent color accuracy and detail.

Large format machines are essential for businesses needing impactful visual communication and high-resolution output. You can buy Large Format Printers and cutting plotters from top manufactures like HP, Canon and Epson or contact us for assistance. Compare products, read specifications, and view special features before buying!

#11. Screen Printers

Screen printing is a popular printing method using a process that presses ink through a mesh screen stencil in order to create printed designs onto various surfaces, such as textiles, paper, and plastics. Screen printers are mainly used in fabric printing services such as printing custom t-shirts, banners, caps, team uniforms, work wears, custom apparels, accessories, as well as on other promotional items.

This technique is known for its ability to produce vibrant, opaque colors and is highly durable, making it ideal for large runs and designs that require consistent quality. It offers versatility in ink types and substrates, though it involves more setup and is best suited for bulk production.

Every screen printer needs a press (manual or automatic), a heat press or dryer, a light exposure unit, and washout booth. Other machines used in the textile industry include monogram embroidery machines, flexographic printing machines, gravure print and letterpress printing machines.

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#12. UV Printers

UV printers are advanced printing devices that use ultraviolet light to cure or dry ink instantly as it is printed. This technology allows for the application of high-quality, durable prints on a wide range of materials, including plastics, glass, metals, and wood. UV printers are known for their versatility, offering vibrant color reproduction and fine detail on both flat and curved surfaces.

The process involves printing with UV-curable inks, which are instantly cured by UV lamps, resulting in a strong, scratch-resistant finish. This makes UV printers ideal for producing high-resolution graphics, signage, promotional items, and custom décor. UV printers are popular in commercial and industrial applications. They are expensive.

Wrapping up: Types of Printing Machines and Their Uses

Now you have the list of popular printing machines, their uses and how they work. We hope these popular types of printing machines mentioned here would be helpful to your purpose.

iPrints is a leading printing company in Lagos Nigeria. View our digital printing press and service portfolios for unmatched production quality. We design graphics and print all jobs based on customers’ demand and turnarounds. Contact us today if you need any assistance printing your products and promoting your brand or business.