Digital and offset printing are two of the services offered by commercial printers. Each service has its advantages for specific print projects and applications. A reputable print shop will inform you which print type will be most effective for your project’s design and medium. Here is more information about how digital and offset printing work and when to use each of these printing services:
Offset Printing
Offset printing uses metal plates to transfer copies of text or images in ink onto a rubber blanket. Printers then transfer the resulting copy onto the printing material, such as paper. Printing technicians must create metal plates for each color used in the design, but once they set up the plates, the printing process is efficient and error-free. Offset presses have a quick turnaround time because of how efficient they are. Because of the fast turnaround, offset printing is ideal for large-scale print jobs. These are some of the advantages of offset printing services:
Cost-Effective Printing
You can produce large volumes of printed work at an affordable rate with offset printing. The unit cost of printing decreases as the number of prints increases. This makes offset an ideal service for extensive print jobs like catalogs and brochures.
High-Quality Output
Standard offset presses use Pantone ink or CMYK color-matching systems to produce consistent colors across large print batches. Using genuine ink results in richer colors than the results of a laser printer and toner. Offset printing also produces sharp, high-resolution images and text, making it ideal for print jobs with intricate designs.
Versatility
Offset printers reproduce a wide range of colors, including metallic tones, giving the printed products an artistic edge. Printers can use an offset press to print on various materials, including specialty papers, cardboard, plastics, metals, and textiles. Because of this versatility, offset printing is good for businesses that need to produce branded materials like business cards or office door signs.
Digital Printing
Digital printing is a more modern technique that uses an inkjet or laser printer to print images or text directly onto the print material. The direct-to-print process eliminates the need for plates, reducing set-up time before printing. This printing method works well for low-volume printing, such as custom greeting cards and fliers. Here are some of the advantages of digital printing:
Easy Customization
The lack of plates with set colors and designs needed for a print job makes digital printers more flexible when it comes to customization. Digital printers allow designers to adjust their work as they go, making it ideal for projects that require variable data. Some customizable digital print projects include personalized invitations or promotional items.
Fast Turnaround Time
Digital printers have shorter set-up times, which helps print professionals complete projects faster. During digital printing, design teams will create your image and send it to the printer for instant transformation into printable data. The printer quickly recreates the image onto the substrate material. Print shop employees complete finishing touches such as cutting, binding, or laminating the material.
Flexible Volume Requirements
Unlike offset printers, which may have a minimum volume requirement, digital printing allows you to print the amount of material you need as you need it. These services are helpful for producing proofs during the design process. Without the cost of plates, digital printing can also be cost-effective for small-batch orders.
Find High-Quality Printing Services
Choosing between digital and offset printing services depends on the volume or demand of your project. Businesses with many large print projects, like brochures, billboard ads, or magazines, require offset printing for consistency and versatility. Digital printing is suitable for small-sized projects that clients need urgently, like fliers or banners for corporate events. Contact a reputable print shop today to learn more about their digital and offset printing services.
