Here are various definitions of electronic printings you might get interested in. these are services provided by printing company nowadays.
Direct Thermal
In the thermal printer, the printing result is achieved by selective heat generation rather than by mechanical attack or pressure. There is a temperature-sensitive use special paper that blackens when heated. The thermal pressure is often in cash registers and was formerly used in fax machines.
Thermal retransfer printing
The thermal retransfer printing is the evolution of direct thermal printing particularly in the area of the CD and DVD printing. For this purpose a special printer is used, which is initiated by heating the print head, the color of a color-bearing polyester film, ribbon, comes off and is transferred to a special retransfer. From this retransfer then a slide to the print medium is melted. Through this intermediate transfer is a high resolution possible and the pressure can be made in solids. Therefore, even small numbers in photo-realistic quality prints.
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Sublimation
The sublimation thermal transfer printing is also of been further developed. The difference is the transfer of ink from the carrier film to the paper by sublimation. Because the color is just a gas, it can produce real tonal gradation without grid. A weakness of the thermal transfer printing for photo printing could be eliminated by. However, the consumption cost of transfer films is very high, so that these devices could not stay on the market. Recently, the printing process again established for small-format photo printers and accessories for digital cameras.
Laser Marking
In laser marking the print media is treated by a high-energy laser beam. It may, depending on the material and procedures lead to chemical changes, such as by burning, discoloration, or at a material. The laser inscription is today widely used for marking electronic components or keyboards. A particular advantage is the ability to create very small, machine readable fonts. Another advantage is that, for example acrylic sheets are often cut and labeled with the same laser can. Read more about print outsourcing here.