Digital or Offset Printing: What’s Your Next Project?

At AngelStar Digital, we are often asked: “What is the difference between Offset and Digital printing?” In this post we’ll be covering the advantages and disadvantages of each method, so you can decide which route to take for your next print job.

Offset Printing is the process where ink from a plate (usually made from aluminum) is transferred onto a rubber sheet and is then rolled onto a sheet of paper or vinyl.

Digital uses large-format and/or high-volume laser or inkjet printers to transfer digital-based images directly onto your chosen media.

Depending on the number of prints you need and whether your project requires personalization, both Offset and Digital can be useful to you under different circumstances.

With Digital Printing, comes the power to print what you need, when you need it, and the ability to correct errors, such as a spelling mistake or low-resolution image, without disrupting production. The downside here is that Digital printing uses toner and a combination of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CMYK) dots to create the colors. Since some colors are more difficult to mimic than others, the finished product can often vary from the original file.

On the other hand, Offset Printing offers high printing quality, with greater detail and color reproduction. Plus, the more you print, the cheaper it will cost you per unit. That being said since Offset Printing uses plates, every print job has to be made into a plate, and the press has to be individually set up for each job. This process is costly and adds an upfront expense to any job regardless of quantity.

While Offset Printing is a great way to produce professional prints of the highest quality, many businesses or individuals prefer Digital for its ease and flexibility.

Afterall, rather than having to “Stop the press” and clean up and redo the plates, you can simply revise your file and voila! You’re ready to go!

For everyday projects, go Digital. It’s easily customizable to the job. It’s affordable. And with variable data capability, printing 20 Christmas cards for 20 different families is easy.

However, if your next project calls for 500 identical brochures, go Offset for a more efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality solution.

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