Editing Digital printing (section)

== Process ==
[[File:Large format digital printer.jpg|thumb|left|Large format digital prints]]
The greatest difference between digital printing and analog methods, such as [[lithography]], [[flexography]], [[gravure]], and [[letterpress]], is that in digital printing (introduced in the 1980s) there is no need to replace the [[printing plate]], whereas in analog printing the plates are repeatedly replaced.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gMx-AMRg3A0C&pg=PA17|title=New Media: A Critical Introduction|page=17|author=Martin Lister |author2=Jon Dovey |author3=Seth Giddings |author4=Kieran Kelly |author5=Iain Grant |publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]]|year=2009|isbn=978-0-415-43160-6 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> This results in quicker turnaround time and lower cost in digital printing, but typically a loss of detail in most commercial digital printing processes. The most popular methods include [[inkjet]] and [[laser printers]], which deposit pigment and toner, respectively, onto substrates, such as paper, canvas, glass, metal, and marble.

In many of the processes, the [[ink]] or [[toner (printing)|toner]] does not permeate the substrate, as does conventional ink, but forms a thin layer on the surface that may be additionally adhered to the substrate by a fuser fluid with thermal (toner) or ultraviolet [[Curing (chemistry)|curing]] (ink).