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Differences Between Offset vs Digital Printing

While offset printing presses allow you to quickly print larger sheets, the finished products of both printing types are remarkably similar. The biggest differences are related to quality, time, and budget; even those numbers can vary based on your business needs. When it comes to offset vs. digital printing, which is right for you?

In this guide, we’ll explore the differences between offset printing vs. digital printing so you can get a better sense of each process and decide on which one suits your project the best.

Quality

Digital printing reproduces vibrancy of color but can ‘crack’ when folded. Offset produces higher quality coverage & shaded areas.

Time

Offset presses usually run faster once a press is setup, but if you’re in a rush digital may only take minutes to complete.

Budget

For projects of 1000 or less pieces, digital printing is most cost-effective, as offset printing setup fees are larger.

Traditional Offset Printing is produced on a printing press using printing plates and wet ink. This type of printing takes longer to produce as there is more setup time and the final product must dry before finishing can take place. At the same time, offset printing traditionally produces the highest quality available on the widest variety of stocks and offers the highest degree of control over color. Further, offset printing is the most economical choice when producing large numbers of prints of your marketing materials.

Digital Printing used to be called ‘copying,’ but that term is now outdated. Today, instead of copying a hard copy original, the vast majority of digital printing is output directly from electronic files. Digital printing is the quickest way to produce short runs, especially when there are a many originals. The quality level of digital printing is now extremely close to offset printing. Although digital printing works well on most stocks today, there are still some papers and jobs where offset printing works better. There are also some stocks and jobs where digital printing will perform as well as, or better than, offset printing.

Determining Your Printing Needs

Now that you’ve read more about offset vs. digital printing, you’re familiar with how these two options differ, and which one seems like the best fit for your next printing project.

When you’re ready to get started, simply contact us at Princetonian Graphics.

FAQ

What is Offset Printing?

Offset printing is the most common type of printing for high volume commercial jobs. It works by burning a design onto metal plates – one for each color. The printer then uses these plates to print the image using four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) or more depending on the needs of the customer.

The image area on the plate receive ink from the rollers. That ink and plate create an impression on a soft rubber blanket which then transfers the ink to the paper. Hence the name offset since the metal plate never touches the paper directly.  This occurs for each of the colors in 4 separate press units in sequence to produce a “four color process” printed piece.

What is Digital Printing?

Digital printing doesn’t use plates the way offset does, but instead uses toner (like in laser printers). Digital printing shines when lower quantities are needed; think of a run of 100 greeting cards or 500 full color flyers.

Why use an Offset Printer?

  • Superior, reliable image quality. Count on offset printing for clean, distinct type and images without streaks or spots
  • Better color fidelity, which refers to both the accuracy of the colors and their balance in the design. Because offset printing can mix custom color inks for each job, it’s naturally going to get the colors spot-on.
  • Works equally well on almost any kind of material.
  • For large volume jobs, you get more for your money. It costs a lot to start an offset job. You have to invest money into creating the plates, which takes time. However, once you’ve invested it, all of the materials are ready to go, and you’ll actually spend less on big offset jobs than a digital print, which is about same per piece no matter how big the job gets.

Why Print Digitally?

  • Faster turnaround time
  • Each print is identical. You risk fewer odd variations caused by imbalances in water and ink.
  • Cost effective for low volume jobs. The price per unit drops for offset printing, so at some point they criss-cross.
  • Variable Data Capabilities. For example, a postcard can be personalized with customized data points or imagery for that particular recipient.

Can you rebrand my business?

Allow our professional design team help you create your brand identity as well as any collateral marketing material you may need such as Pocket Folders, Stationery, Brochures, Flyers and Direct Mail Pieces.

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