What is The Difference Between Digital and Offset Printing?
When it is about a printing project or buying a printing machine, one of the most important factors is to keep in mind the usefulness of the machine and which is the best printing method for your particular project or industry. The most common printing terms that may come around while purchasing a machine are Digital and Offset Printing. Now, the question that certainly comes to your mind is Offset Printing vs Digital Printing: Which one should you choose and which one is better?
Knowing the differences between both types of printing and which printing method is useful for your business or project is an integral part of buying a machine. So, if you’re wondering about the major difference between the printing methods, then let’s dive into the details of offset and digital printing here:
Offset Printing vs Digital Printing- Definition:
Offset vs Digital Printing- is there a major difference between both types of Printing? Well, it certainly differs in several aspects. Let us know more about both the type of Printing with its definition here:
Offset Printing:
In the offset printing method, plates that are used in the technology are usually made of aluminium, which is useful in transferring an image on a rubber blanket. Later, the images rolled onto the sheet of paper. The reason why it is called offset is because the ink that is used in the printing method is not transferred directly onto the paper.
Offset presses are known for running in an effective manner once these machines are set up, which makes this printing method apt for printing larger quantities. This technology is known for providing precise colour reproduction and professional Printing.
Digital Printing:
In comparison to offset printing, digital printing doesn’t use any kind of plates but uses another alternative, such as toner or larger printers, which don’t require the use of liquid. It is considered to be the best type of Printing when it comes to printing lower quantities, such as 15 to 20 cards or 100-120 flyers.
With its variable data capability, digital printing is the way to go, as it can print unique code addresses or names as per the printing needs, which is not possible with offset printing. When it comes to digital Printing vs offset printing in terms of quantity, then, offset Printing is best for great-looking print projects or larger quantities, while for businesses looking for printing runs of 500 or more, Digital printing is the way to go!
Digital Printing vs Offset Printing Explained
When we think about which is the best printing method for any industry, it depends upon several factors to find out which is the best fit for you. There are several factors, such as offset printing vs digital printing quality, cost, technology used, turnaround time, etc, that are kept in mind before deciding which one is the best type of Printing. Let’s focus on these factors here:
Printing Technology:
The printing technology that is used in digital Printing is that it transfers the images from the computer to the printing machine, which uses electrostatic rollers to further apply the total amount of the sheets of paper for printing an image digitally. It employs processes that are similar to inkjet printers.
Offset printing, on the other hand, uses aluminium best plates and ink and is produced on a printing press. A different or separate metal is used for each type of colour, which is to be laser etched by using information that is present on the digital file of an image, and then it is attached to a roller that transfers the ink to another cylinder along with a rubber sheet, which rolls the ink into the material that is to be printed.
Cost:
In offset printing vs digital printing, costs are calculated based on the volume of copy that is to be printed. Digital Printing is best for a project that requires a low volume of copies as it leads to higher costs for a large number of copies.
Offset Printing, on the other hand, is best for printing a large number of copies and requires materials, machinery to set up, and time to operate it. However, the paper and ink that are used in the process are way more affordable than digital Printing, making it cost-effective for large volumes of copies.
Colour and Sheet Size:
Digital printing runs from smaller sheet print size 19 to larger print size 29. Several people in the industry are opting for wide-format printing presses to meet their large-size requirements. Offset Printing, on the other hand, runs the sheet size from 29 to 40. It is way more convenient to get printed on larger sheets than the digital printing process.
In terms of colour representation, it offers Pantone colours that are considered to be precise and high-quality, which is the preferred choice of Printing for several brands. Printing, on the other hand, has superior and precise colour representation in comparison to digital Printing as it utilises Pantone ink to get a superior quality print. In the offset vs digital printing battle for colour representation, offset printing is considered better.
Downtime:
Digital Printing vs offset printing- which one is faster? When it comes to true turnaround time, then the draw speed of digital Printing is better for a significantly shorter setup time as it can print business cards and flyers within a few minutes by using a digital press, and he said it be a quick process.
Offset printing, on the other hand, requires a lot of time to set up, but printing is faster comparatively. However, due to the setup time and the time that is consumed to dry the print, it is difficult to provide same-day or next-day printing. So, comparatively, Digital Printing is faster.
Custom Printing:
In terms of providing custom trending digital Printing has the capability of offering unique information for each copy because of its variable data printing capabilities. Digital Printing is best for offering custom information for logos, greeting cards, customer names and specific addresses.
Offset Printing, on the other hand, requires setting up plates to print the required information. For variable data printing, it becomes difficult to offer customisation, which is quite easier in digital Printing.
Overall Quality:
If we talk about the overall quality of Printing, then digital printing pieces are subjected to cracks if the printed material is folded. There is more than creating equipment to prevent such damage. However, several industries prefer the vibrancy of digital colour.
Offset Printing, on the other hand, offers better quality than digital Printing. It can even offer high-quality printing if heavy solid ink or delicate gradients are used during the printing process.
Which is Better, Offset or Digital Printing?
Now that you know all about the different factors affecting the usability of printing and digital machines, you are probably wondering which is better, digital printing, for your project or industry? Well, it all depends upon your own requirements, which include the volume of the printing copies, the Pantone colour that is to be used for your project or brand, downtime, and more.
If your business doesn’t require many volumes of print copies or has a need for fewer than 100 copies and has a need for individual addresses or information, then digital Printing is best for your business needs. On the other hand, if your brand or business requires a high level of quality printing and needs a high volume of prints with custom papers and ink, then it is best to go for offset printing machines. So, select the one that fits your business’s printing needs.
Robust and High-Quality Offset and Digital Printing Machines- Sneha Graphics & Solutions:
No matter what you choose while exploring your options for offset printing vs digital printing, buying a high-quality and premium machine can be quite an investment for any business. If you are searching for cost-effective and high-quality machines, then Sneha Graphics & Solutions are here with a plethora of used printing machines and options that are available in several colours, specifications, features, types, sizes, brands, and more. We offer you a wide range of collections to explore that include:
- HEIDELBERG SORD 525 NUMBER
- KOMORI SPRINT 26 SIZE
- ADAST 515
- KOMORI LITHRONE 426
- POLAR 92 EM MODEL
- RYOBI 925
- KOMORI LITHRONE SIX COLOUR PLUS COATER
- HEIDELBERG SIX COLOURS PLUS COATER MODEL, and more.
With Sneha Graphics & Solutions, you can be sure of getting a complete solution for your business with our technical services offering you fully loaded printing machine installation at your convenience. We are here to make your journey for making your business grow easier and more profitable with our dedicated services. So, get in touch with us and order your preferred printing machine at the most competitive prices!
