Ultimately, to the end user, there may be no noticeable difference between digital and offset printing. But they are two distinctly different processes, the most notable of which is digital uses dry toner that is transferred to paper via an electrostatic drum while offset uses wet ink that is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket and then to paper.
Digital printing occurs nearly instantaneously when a digital file is sent from a computer to a digital printing device. There is no lengthy, expensive set-up involved. The unit cost of the first print is the same as the unit price of the last print.
Offset printing requires that plates for each color ink be hung on the press cylinders and registered with one another before the first usable print is produced. For complex print jobs, this can be a lengthy process. Since plates have to be made for each color, there are initial set-up charges involved. As a result, the unit price of each piece decreases as the print quantity increases.
Typically, digital printing makes sense for short-run print jobs while offset printing is more economical for long-run projects. Digital printing is also ideal for variable data printing, where each piece has unique, personalized copy rather than all pieces being identical. On the other hand, if your project demands specialty stock or specific PMS ink matches, offset printing might be a better choice regardless of the run length.
Digital printing occurs nearly instantaneously when a digital file is sent from a computer to a digital printing device. There is no lengthy, expensive set-up involved. The unit cost of the first print is the same as the unit price of the last print.
Offset printing requires that plates for each color ink be hung on the press cylinders and registered with one another before the first usable print is produced. For complex print jobs, this can be a lengthy process. Since plates have to be made for each color, there are initial set-up charges involved. As a result, the unit price of each piece decreases as the print quantity increases.
Typically, digital printing makes sense for short-run print jobs while offset printing is more economical for long-run projects. Digital printing is also ideal for variable data printing, where each piece has unique, personalized copy rather than all pieces being identical. On the other hand, if your project demands specialty stock or specific PMS ink matches, offset printing might be a better choice regardless of the run length.
RSS Feed