Difference Between Offset and Digital Printing

Offset vs Digital Printing

Printing has traditionally been done manually on treadle machines until offset printing arrived on the scene. In fact, offset printing ruled the world of printing for more than hundred years and is still used in all parts of the world. However, with the introduction of digital printing, there has been a revolution of sorts in media as well as those requiring excellent prints in a short amount of time and in small quantities. There are many differences in these two printing techniques that are enumerated in this article.

In every business, there are requirements of printing whether in the form of catalogues, fliers, business cards, leaflets, carry bags, calendars, and numerous other jobs. Most printing firms today offer both digital as well as offset printing and it is prudent to know the differences between these two techniques so as to save and get better results depending upon requirements. If one required a printing job done a decade ago, it was offset only that was available to printers, but today printing firms not only need to have digital printing equipment but high speed copiers, as well.

Of course, there are differences in both quality and cost in the two types of printing. There are also projects that favor one of the two methods. The processes of offset and digital are totally different, and without going in to technicalities, it is enough to say that the working process of offset is slightly more time consuming. Thus, if you want business cards in a jiffy, it is digital printing that comes in handy. Even graphic designing and in general, any project requiring color copies are better suited for digital printing.

If we look from a cost point of view, offset printing is certainly a bit cheaper and is also ideal when huge quantities of prints are required. This is one point which is a must for offset printing as affordability comes with bulk printing only in offset printing. In fact, offset printing makes possible a number of jobs to be done at the same instant, implying savings related with labor cost also, in addition to savings in cost of materials.

If time is of paramount importance and it is vital to meet deadlines, offset printing is no match for super speed and efficiency of digital printing. If, however, time is not a factor, offset printing offers high quality at a lower cost that prompts many printing companies to complete the job through offset printing. This is precisely why today most of the printing companies have both options available to them to have flexibility and to face competition. As a compromise, also for making higher profits, it is ideal to offer digital printing to customers when the jobs required are small quantities of business cards, leaflets, brochures etc. However, when there is sufficient time and the order is in bulk, it is prudent to go with offset printing.