40% or more of all printed materials come from offset printing. But digital printing continues to grow at a rate of 6% per year.
The answer to this question depends on you, your budget, your timeline, and what you need.
So, how do you decide? Should you go digital for speed or offset for cost efficiency on large runs? Find out in this article.
I have worked with both digital and offset printing, so I know where each shines and where they don't.
So, here's what I recommend you do. But before I do that, let's explore these two methods first.
This is a modern method just like the name suggests. It uses digital machines to transfer images directly onto various materials.
One of the advantages of this method is that you don't have to worry about printing plates. You have your image and the materials. That's all you need to print. And there's no time wasted as you don't have to make the plates.
There are misleading beliefs that many people have regarding digital printing.
Yes, I've spent time on printing forums, talked to designers, and listened to other print professionals. And I keep hearing the same misconceptions about digital printing repeated over and over.
Some people dismiss it as a second-rate alternative to offset printing. You may think this is funny but it isn't. I had a long discussion last month explaining to a group of people why this is misleading.
Still, others assume it's only useful for tiny print runs where minimal quality is the expectation.
The sad thing about these myths is that they've been around for years. People still cling to them even though digital printing now delivers results that rival traditional methods.
That's why I want to set the record straight today.
You might have heard this one. Maybe on a Facebook group, X thread, or even on a YouTube comment section.
I first read it on a subreddit in 2018. Then, it happened again and again. It reached a point where I couldn't take it anymore.
Of course, it is false.
You know what's funny?
Somewhere along the way, people started equating digital printing with budget constraints, as if lower costs automatically meant sacrificing quality.
So what's the reality?
Digital printing technology is not at the same level it was 5 years ago. A lot has changed. And changes are still happening.
We can now get prints that rival offset in terms of quality. Sometimes, you get better quality with digital printing.
Here's how:
Modern digital presses use modern methods to create crisp images. These include color management systems and newer toner technologies.
Digital prints don't look cheap. That's just something said by those who worked with the method in its early days.
So, if you still think printing looks cheap, it might be time to take another look.
Yes, this is another of those many random X posts that you can't really ignore.
Unlike the first one, this has some truth in it. Sure, digital printing is perfect for short runs.
The only thing that people ignore is that times are changing and scientists keep improving our machines.
Today's digital presses do way more than just print small batches. They can customize every single piece with the help of variable data printing. Offset printing simply can't do that.
…that you need offset printing for these projects.
Yes, you do, though. But to think that only offset printing can handle this type of work is wrong.
Modern digital presses aren't far behind. They can handle:
Do you know what that means for you? Think flexibility, high-end finishes, and a faster turnaround.
Who doesn't love that combo?
If you only look at the per-unit cost, sure, digital printing can be pricer. But step back and do the math.
Think about it:
So, next time someone tells you digital printing is just a ‘cheaper alternative,’ send them this way.
This is a high-quality printing press that transfers ink from a metal plate to a rubber blanket before applying it to paper.
Offset is more complex than digital printing. But the process starts with the aluminum plates. You have to make sure each carries a different color from the design.
Then comes the genius part. Before any ink touches the plate, it's dampened with water.
Why is this process important? It goes back to the basics. Water and oil don't mix.
This principle explains why ink clings only to the design while the rest stays clean. Then, a rubber blanket steps in, picking up the inked image from the plate and stamping it on the paper.
Just like digital printing, people can't seem to stop spreading misleading information about offset printing.
The worst I heard was from someone who assumed digital printing was always cheaper. Of course, that changed fast when they needed thousands of flyers.
Let's clear up some of the most common misconceptions.
This may be true if you have hundreds of sheets to print. But why would you choose a method that's not appropriate for small jobs?
But don't worry, there's a trick for using an offset. So, if you think this printing method is too expensive for small jobs? It is, but not always.
Sure, setup costs are higher, but the per-unit price drops when printing in bulk. So while offset is expensive for small jobs, it becomes more affordable in the long run.
Both methods are fast. It just depends on your project.
If you need a method that's quick for short-run jobs, then digital printing will be the answer.
But someone who is printing bulk orders won't agree with that. That's an area where offset excels.
The only problem is the initial setup time. Once that's done, this press can print thousands of sheets per hour.
So, which one is quick? It depends on what you need.
This is another misconception I have seen floating around social media pages. It gained my interest because there is some truth in it (at least there used to be).
I get its basis, though. It's true that only the digital method has variable data printing. And this is what is used for customization.
But since offset doesn't have VDP, how does it achieve this? Simple. The answer is hybrid techniques.
With these, you can print large volumes via offset and then personalize them using digital technology.
That's not true. Need color matching? Offset printing has your back.
This is the worst thing I've heard being said about offset printing.
Color quality is literally the second thing I love about offset printing. The first? Its superiority with bulk orders.
These two are the reasons why big brands rely on offset for logos, packaging, and marketing materials.
I see this claim pop up in discussion forums all the time. It's another one which makes me wonder whether some people pay attention to data.
Offset is still the largest contributor to the printing industry. Businesses can't use what no longer works.
But they do with offset. No matter the advancements we make in digital printing, offset printing will still be there (at least for now).
So, the idea that it is on its way out is simply not true. It is laughable to say the least.
Offset printing thrives in areas where mass production is key. I'm talking about magazines, packaging, high-end marketing materials, and large-scale commercial printing.
And rather than one replacing the other, digital and offset printing have become complementary technologies.
The table below gives you a summarized comparison between digital and offset printing. Use it to further understand the differences between these two.
My experience has taught me that choosing between offset and digital printing isn't about which one is better. It's about what fits the job.
If I need 200 brochures by tomorrow, I know digital printing will get it done fast, so I will go for that.
But when I need a lot of copies, say 29,000 catalogs, I go for offset because I would be looking for better unit costs and unmatched consistency.
So, the choice boils down to what you want, how fast you want it done, and the amount you're willing to spend.
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