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05.09.2016 When is digital printing the right choice?

Although both digital and offset printing technologies are widely used, it’s still not always clear when to choose one over the other. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of digital printing, and where to find the strengths and weaknesses of traditional offset printing.

Much becomes clearer once we explain what offset printing actually is. Simply put, offset is a conventional, flat printing method performed on a traditional printing press using printing plates.

Offset printing is still considered the king of all printing techniques, as it enables relatively high-speed printing (up to 15,000 sheets/hour). Its key advantages are exceptional print quality and relatively low cost per unit at higher quantities. Other notable benefits include large sheet sizes (up to 1000 x 700 mm) and the ability to print using Pantone color matching.

Its main drawback is the slower setup time due to the need for printing plates, which also represent a relatively high fixed cost. That’s why offset is best suited for higher print runs—because as the number of copies increases, the cost per unit decreases, eventually making the fixed plate cost negligible.

Digital printing, on the other hand, is the complete opposite—there is no need to produce printing plates. To simplify again, digital printing is a process where the printer is directly controlled by a computer. Along with minimal setup time, digital printing stands out for its speed when handling a large number of different orders, and most importantly, its flexibility, offering numerous creative possibilities for achieving better marketing results.

Digital printing is the right choice when you need to print smaller quantities, when you want your materials printed by the next day, or when you're printing personalized promotional content…

Both printing techniques are suitable for producing various types of printed materials, such as calendars, notepads, letterheads, catalogs, brochures, business cards, envelopes, and leaflets.

It’s important to understand which printing method is best suited for your specific product.