Digital vs offset, deciding between them easily done with knowing some facts. It is better to start with describing the two subject printing techniques:
Offset printing is a technique where the ink is first transferred to a rubber blanket,
then to the printing medium. The process can be defined as repulsion of water and
oil.
Digital printing is more like a regular printer that can be bought from regular
computer shops. In this technique no printing plates is required, the image is directly
printed on to the medium.
Both of these techniques has their own advantages and disadvantages. Briefly, digital
printing is used for printing jobs where quantity is low and high quality printing
is not required. Digital printing is slower when compared to offset printing but
offset printing has a setup time before starting to print. So, if the quantity is
low digital printing seems more logical.
Digital data consists of ones and zeros (ex. 1010011), so that the image that is
processed from a digital data will have edges. It will be noticeable as streaks
and spots on the printing medium, especially if the resolution is low. Because offset
printing is an analog technique the quality will be better.
Also, offset printing uses the lithography technique, so it is possible to use different
printing surfaces.
Digital printing has another advantage that most buyers don't consider. For example
if you will print a postal card, it is possible to print recipient names on the
cards with digital printing. The data that will be printed can be changed according
to a database, for example the recipients name.
So, how which one to select. Here is a brief comparision for Digital vs
offset:
How to Decide
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Maybe the quantity is the most important criteria. In most cases, up to 3,000 impressions
is cheaper with digital printing. As the quantity goes up cost per impression decreases
for offset printing.
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As mentioned before digital printing will have a lower quality. Because digital printing consists of tiny dots,
the image will have streaks and spots. With a good digital printing machine this effect will be minimized but offset printing will still have the better quality.
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Digital printers require significantly more maintenance than offset printers.
Also the special toners and inks are more expensive than offset inks.
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Digital printers are still developing but still has more restrictions. For example; printing surface, sheet size, pantone colors (digital simulates pantone colors). Also in most cases it is not possible to use special inks like metallic or fluorescent.
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Digital printers has the ability to print variable data like names on post cards. The data to be printed can be loaded from a database. Sometimes printing shops uses both offset and digital printing machines to print a variable data (for large quantities). In this case, static part is printed with an offset machine then the variable part is printed with a digital machine.
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Another advantage of digital printing is proofing. There will be no difference between the proof and the output. But is offset printing there can be color shifts.
In Summary, when digital printing and offset printing is compared there are two main criteria. Quantity and quality. Digital is used where quantity is low, and perfect quality is not required. If quantity goes above 3,000 offset printing is more logical.
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