Which Is Best For Your Printing Project?
Dramatic improvements in digital printing technologies have created many new options for print buyers. However, these new options have also created some confusion. A common question we hear from our customers is whether to use digital or offset printing for their print jobs. We'll outline the advantages of both to help you determine which is best for your project.
Quality
Offset printing still provides the highest print quality, especially with heavy solids, gradients and Pantone colors. Our HP Indigo digital press can come very close to offset, especially with four color process jobs. To determine if digital quality is acceptable for your project we recommend running a sample file on the actual stock.
Quantity & Size
With low make-ready costs, digital printing is the best option for short runs. Most jobs under 1000 press sheets are more economical to run on our Indigo digital press vs. our offset press. And the size of the piece is an obvious consideration. Most digital presses can only run a 12" x 18" sheet. Larger jobs like posters or pocket folders will need to be printed offset.
Turnaround
A key advantage for digital printing is faster turnaround times. Because of reduced make-ready and the ability to handle sheets right off the press, many digital jobs can be delivered within a day or two.
Paper & Finishing Options
While offset printing still offers the widest range of paper and finishing options, that gap is quickly closing. When planning a project, ask what stocks and finishing options are available. Specialty finishing like die-cutting or foil-stamping may not work on some stocks that are digitally printed.
Variable Data Printing
And lastly, without a doubt, digital printing offers the best way to customize your marketing materials. Each piece can be personalized using information from a database by changing the text and images on the fly. One-to-one marketing with variable data printing can dramatically improve the results from your direct marketing campaigns.
So which is best? As you've seen it really depends on requirements of your project. Both digital and offset printing have their place in a well-planned marketing stategy. If you have questions or would like more information, visit our website or call us at 404.350.9776.
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