When it's time to go to print with your design, the fundamental question that’s asked is: how do you want to print? Is it better to choose digital printing or offset printing? The answer to this question is not unique, but will depend on the type of project and on a series of factors that determine the choice. To do it purposely, let's get to know the differences between the two types of printing and their separate pros and cons.
Digital printing is newer and allows you to print files directly from your computer onto paper or other types of media, because the reproduction process does not involve inordinate pressure on the sheet; in this case, in fact, it is a roller or a head that distributes the ink in the necessary points.
If we compare digital printing to offset printing, there will be no need to print less than the thousand copies and the cost of digital printing are lower because they don’t need the creation of a master. Digital printing also has an additional advantage: it is much faster at the process level than offset, which requires preliminary settings for printing and longer times for the ink to dry.
On the other hand, still digital printing is only perfect for a limited number of types of paper: therefore, those who want to use paper with a thickness more than 350 g or special papers, will tend to count on offset printing. Unlike digital, Offset printing has been used since the end of the 19th century to print large quantities of copies (at least 500/1000) on different types of paper.
The document is reproduced on a plate-matrix and then imprinted on the paper support through a mechanism of rollers and cylinders that distribute the ink, in the three primary colors, and exert the pressure needed to print; so, you can print thousands of identical, high-quality copies.
By working on a large quantity of prints, the costs are amortized, as the creation of the matrix requires an expense that is only affordable for high runs, while the cost of the ink is much lower. An aspect to keep in mind is that, unlike digital printing, offset printing does not allow you to easily make changes to the documents to be printed, because this change would require the creation of a new plate.
Digital printing and offset printing: Advantages and Disadvantages
The choice of the type of printing that best suits your needs derive from a series of variables:
Offset printing has the disadvantage of preparing the initial matrix which involves a higher cost than digital and it is not possible to make changes on the plate once it has been prepared. On the other hand, however, costs are getting lower and lower and the speed with which the sheet can be replaced has increased compared to past years;
Another aspect to consider concerns the document to be printed: if the document to be reproduced is definitive and thousands of copies have to be made, it is more convenient to print off-set. On the other hand, when test prints have to be made on which some changes may need to be made or if the print run is limited to a few hundred copies, the most convenient solution is digital printing;
Finally, as regards the format, offset printing uses a large sheet, in which it is possible to combine three of their multiple products, in order to reduce printing costs.
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