Should I print Digital or Offset?
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