Before we carry on to extol the virtues also to scrutinize the weakness of the two printing technologies, let’s first take a take a look at their background along with the process they undergo. Knowing what exactly offset printing and digital printing may offer can variably affect the results we wish to see. An Overview on Digital and Offset Printing o The digital printing is really a more recent technology and is claimed to become the successor of offset printing. It uses the computer technology that transforms data into electric signals the computers result in understandable commands. The computer transfers these data electronically to the printer. The result’s rich photographic quality prints with no use of plates. o Offset, on one other hand, also involves digital technology but nonetheless involves a different process. It relies around the science that water and oil usually do not mix. This makes for accurate prints which are run through different rollers under different color towers. o A number of plates may also be accustomed to produce the final colorful design about the flyers. All of these usually are not within digital printing. Speed o Most with the things digital printing can do, an offset printing can likewise do. But one in the features of digital printing is speed. The ink is already dry as soon because the printer stops printing. This means, the print out may be cut and bound within a matter of an few minutes. o Another important process is that it skips the entire process of plate-making, allowing a drastic reduction in printing time. This is very important in urgent print jobs. o In offset printing, the ink emerges time because of it to dry, or perhaps be coated before it proceeds to cutting, sorting, and binding. When printing large quantities however, the offset printing is faster than the digital print. Whereas digital printing prints per area with a time (per line) the offset just rolls the paper through very quickly. Volume o Offset printing usually requires large orders to be cost-effective. It needs to recoup the cost of creating the plates as well as the prepress process. When the expense is spread over thinly, the cost per unit becomes too high. When the quantity involves greater than a couple of dozens, the cost of printing offset becomes more cost-effective than digital. o The cost of individual prints in digital printing might be relatively expensive. Printing digital is most workable when printing short runs or small orders. It is also perfect for printing individual custom made pieces, including installations, posters for trade shows, etc. Quality o It used to become consensus that offset printing includes a far better quality than digital prints, but recently, digital printing is catching up. While it prints with all the same vibrant colors and high contrast, it’s now moving towards achieving an a far more accurate color palette. o However, review of the digital ink seems to demonstrate how the digital print cracks and flakes easier if the paper is creased. Apart from that, the offset printer shows more consistent solid screen colors. Digital and Offset printing have their particular strengths and weakness that can help businesses and individuals on different occasions. They provide for different printing needs. Most printing companies now use both printing technologies. It is most beneficial must your printing company for quotes on both, and consult with them which is best for a particular print job.
