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When is Digital Printing the Better Choice for My Project?
As many of you already know, digital printing has become a popular solution for many types of projects over the past several years. What some of you may not understand is how and why.
First of all, what is “digital” printing versus “offset” printing? Digital printing most commonly involves using a heat-based process which applies a thin layer of toner onto the surface of a sheet of paper to reproduce a digital image.
Offset printing is more complex. An image of, say, this newsletter is burned onto a metal plate (the plate could also be polyester or some other material); the plate fits onto a press which uses conventional ink to transfer (or “offset”) the image from the plate to a smooth rubber “blanket” (cylinder), which then transfers the ink onto the paper.
The major advantages of offset printing are, naturally, its top quality and the high volume it can produce so cost effectively. The major benefit of digital printing is the elimination of some of the mechanical steps — and thus, time and cost — involved with offset printing (e.g., making plates, setting up the press, and running “make-readies” to ensure accurate ink color and registration/positioning on the paper). This translates to cost-effectiveness for small quantities.
Another benefit of digital printing is the proofing process — one proof can be run off the digital printer for your review and “what you see is what you get.” (See “PrinterSpeak” in this newsletter for “WYSIWYG.”)
Technological advances have greatly improved the quality of digital printing, making it a more viable and cost-effective option for certain black-and-white or full-color projects. Some considerations to help you decide if digital printing is the right option for your latest project include:
• Do you need a particularly fast turnaround (on-demand printing)?
• Are you looking for a small quantity (from 1 to 1,000 or so, depending on the project)?
• Will your project fit on a standard sheet size of 12-by-18 inches or 13-by-19 inches including bleeds?
• Will a standard coated or uncoated sheet of paper be sufficient (i.e., no special finish, texture, or treatment)?
If you answered “yes” to all of the above questions, then digital printing might be the best solution for your next project at Howard Printing. Each project is different and each client has his or her own priorities and preferences, so we would be happy to discuss your project and customize a solution just for you.
