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Offset vs. Digital Printing: How to Choose? |
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Written by Jerry Ross
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Friday, 03 October 2008 |
 Good graphic design begins wells before pen actually hits paper and ends well after the final digital proofs are approved by a client. The final implementation of a good graphic design must be considered right from the beginning of the design process if you are interested in gaining maximum effect from the design itself.
The most common questions we receive from our clients in regards to printing are… what finish should I use, what stock should I choose, and most often, should we use digital or offset printing?
 In the past decade literally hundreds of new digital print companies have opened, making digital commercial printing solutions available to more companies in more areas. However, this growth in the popularity of digital printing has also caused quite a bit of confusion. Coupled with a few unscrupulous or inexperienced companies that are taking advantage of this confusion, many print consumers have ended up with a product that does not meet their needs.
Advantages of Digital & Offset printing
Digital Advantages
- Shorter turnaround
- Lower costs for very small print runs
- Availability of variable data printing (direct mailings, etc.)
Offset Advantages
- Higher quality images, higher resolution and no streaks or spots.
- You can print on a wide range of printing surfaces including paper, rough paper, plastic, wood, cloth, metal and leather.
- The unit cost decreases as the quantity increases.
- Quality and cost-effectiveness in high volume jobs.
- Computer-to-plate technology is available on many presses increasing quality even further.
How do I decide?
To decide which method is best for your graphic design project consider the following factors:
Quantity
Offset printing has a high initial setup cost. As quantities increase, the unit cost goes down with offset printing. Print runs of less than 1,000 can be more cost effective with digital printing, while quantities of more than 1,000 are likely to have a lower unit cost with offset printing.
Printing Medium
If you want to use a special paper, finish, or unique size options, offset printing offers the most flexibility.
Color
Do you need a four-color printing process? If you only need black ink and one of two other ink colors then offset printing may offer a more cost-effective solution. If you need four-color printing then digital printing generally offers lower up-front costs.
Pantone
If your printing project utilizes colors from the Pantone® Matching System that are not CMYK compatible then offset printing is your better choice. Digital printers may offer less accurate color matching on projects using non-cmyk compatible colors.
Turnaround
Digital usually offers quicker delivery if you need your project printed fast.
Proofing
Offset printing requires what is called a hard proof, typically created on a high quality ink-jet printer simulating the offset printing process. Digital printing offers more accurate proofs since what you see is an actual sample of the printed piece created using the exact same process as the final print run.
Customization
Digital printing offers a means of customizing the printed materials in a very affordable way. Direct mail pieces, letters, etc. can be printed with a different name or address on each piece.
Overview
Both digital and offset printing can be the ideal solution for your graphic design project. The key is to be very specific with your print company, communicating clearly what type of paper you want to use, which type of printing process you need, 4-color versus black and one or more inks, and the type of finish or coating you want.
Before choosing a printing company, get samples of their work whether it be from their offset or digital press.
Lastly, always request a pre-press proof before authorizing your graphic design project for the final print run. This will allow you to verify that everything you requested has been understood fully by the printing company. It also provides you with a hands-on example of the final product so you can catch any errors ahead of time.
If you are as careful and selective in choosing a printer as you were in choosing a graphic designer you can ensure that the resulting printed product that actually reaches your customers is of the highest possible quality.
After all, high quality is precisely the message you want to deliver.
About the Author
Jerry Ross is the creative director of Fabian | Ross Design. He offers each client personal oversight of their projects from the graphic design phase through to the final stages of printing. He is experienced with both digital and offset printing solutions and can help you make the best choice for the printing of your marketing pieces.
Contact us today for help with your current marketing projects. |
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