In fact, the number of passes refers to how many times the printer's printhead needs to scan over a product to complete the printing. Different pass numbers correspond to different printing times, which in turn affects printing speed, precision, and application scenarios.
First, let's talk about 1-pass printing.
1-pass, also commonly known as 'one pass,' means the product is printed completely in a single pass under the printhead. Its advantage is fast printing speed, but the disadvantages are that the ink droplets are generally somewhat coarser, and subsequent color adjustment is more difficult.
Second, 4-pass printing.
4-pass printing divides the printing area into four sections and prints them sequentially in a specific order. When printing the second section, the first section is also being reprinted. When printing the third section, the first and second sections are also being reprinted. When printing the fourth section, all four sections are being reprinted. The 4-pass printing mode is suitable for orders that don't require high precision or for low-price orders. Using 4-pass printing can meet the customer's basic precision requirements while greatly improving efficiency.
Third, 8-pass printing.
Its principle is the same as 4-pass — it simply prints the same product 8 times, so the step-out distance is shorter. Color saturation will be better. 8-pass printing is suitable for products that require very high precision.
Fourth, 6-pass printing.
This is the most frequently used printing mode in daily production. It achieves an excellent balance between printing precision and printing speed, taking into account both production efficiency and product quality. This mode can meet the requirements of most conventional orders on the market.
Ultimately, which printing mode to choose for production requires a comprehensive assessment based on the characteristics of the product, the customer's requirements, and the unit price of the print job.