Should I print Digital or Offset?

Digital and offset printing are both excellent options for printing. Quantity, quality, budget, and time constraints can determine which option is better for you. Below we go a little more in-depth about each process to help you make an informed decision.
Offset Printing
Offset printers use plates to transfer an image to a rubber blanket, which then transfers that image directly onto the paper or whichever printing surface being used. Once they’re set up, they are efficient in producing large quantities. The color reproduction is accurate, and the overall finished product is crisp and professional.
Digital Printing
Digital printers do not use plates, but instead liquid ink or toner to complete a job. It is more ideal for smaller quantities, or for projects in which there’s variables that change from one unit to another. The variables can be things like addresses on labels or names/contact info on business cards. Digital is more capable of adapting to changing variables than offset. This is ideal for anyone looking to print under 500 units.

Pros of OFFSET

Polished finished product.

Guaranteed to impress your clientele.

Accurate color matching

Prints on almost any material

Cost efficient for large volumes

Cons of OFFSET

Longer production time

High cost for low-volume jobs

No room for error

(Typos are harder to fix since metal plates are the main component of this method)

Pros of DIGITAL

Shorter Production Time

More uniformity in prints

Cheaper low volume jobs

Variation Capabilities

(For mailers with different recipients, business cards with multiple employee names, etc.)

Cons of DIGITAL

Smaller variation in materials to print on

High cost for large-volume jobs

Slightly lower quality