OFFSET vs DIGITAL
Ink on paper (offset) vs. toner (digital).  In some circles this spawns debate, but many business people just want a quality printed piece at a good price. Traditionally, offset lithography has been the technology of choice for producing high quality, color print jobs.  However, with advances in digital color printing, it is now appropriate for an increasing number of customer communications.

Understanding the Process
Understanding the process of offset printing and how it varies from digital printing is important when understanding the costs associated with each.

Offset Printing:
In commercial printing, offset printing is thought of as the traditional printing method. When using offset printing, there is an extensive set up that is required. The process begins by creating plates that portray the images that will be printed. Once the plates are created and the press is set up, the plates make an inked impression on a rubber blanket cylinder which then transfers the image to the printing surface. The set up involved with offset printing is a onetime cost that often times goes unnoticed when printing very high quantities. When using offset printing the cost per unit decreases as quantities increase.

Digital Printing:
The digital printing process is much simpler and has had a significant impact on the commercial printing industry. Unlike offset printing, running a job digitally requires very little set up. The process involves an image that is sent directly to the printer using a digital file such as a PDF. The cost per unit stays fairly consistent regardless of quantity.

So … Which is best for you?
Well, it seems that depends.

Advantages of Digital

• Shorter turnaround.
• Every print is the same. More accurate counts, less waste and fewer variations, due to not having to balance ink and water during press run.
• Cheaper low volume printing. While the unit cost of each piece may be higher than with offset printing, when setup costs are included digital printing
  provides lower per unit costs for very small print runs.
• Variable Data Printing is a form of customizable digital printing. Using information from a database or external file, text and graphics can be changed on each piece without stopping or slowing down the press. For example, personalized letters can be printed with a different name and address on each letter. Variable data printing is used primarily for direct marketing, customer relationship development and advertising.

Advantages of Offset

• High image quality.
• Works on a wide range of printing surfaces.
• The unit cost goes down as the quantity goes up.
• Quality and cost-effectiveness in high volume jobs. While today’s digital presses are close to the cost/benefit ratio of offset for high quality work, they are not yet able to compete with the volume an offset press can produce.

Still Not Sure Which is Right?  Use this checklist to help decide:

• Quantity. Offset printing has a front-end cost load. Short runs may have a high unit cost. But as quantities increase, the unit cost goes down with offset printing. Very short runs can be much more cost effective with digital printing; while larger quantities are likely to have a lower unit cost with offset printing.
  
  
• Printing medium. Do you need or want a special paper, finish or unusual printing surface, or unique size? The options are increasing continually for digital, but offset printing still offers the most flexibility.
  
  
• Color. Digital presses use four-color process printing. If you need only black ink or one or two ink colors, offset printing may offer a more cost-effective solution. If you need four-color printing, digital may offer advantages in lower up-front costs.
  
  
• More on color. If you’re planning to print using the Pantone® Matching System, offset printing will give you the best match, since it uses actual Pantone® ink. Digital printing simulates the color using a four-color matching process, so some digital printers may offer less accurate color matching on projects.
  
  
• Turnaround. If you need it fast, digital usually offers quicker delivery.
  
  
• Proofing. Digital offers accurate proofs since you see an actual sample of the printed piece. Accurate color proofing for offset printing can be expensive.
  
  
• Customization. Without question, digital printing offers the most affordable way to customize marketing materials, direct mail pieces, letters, etc.

The choice really depends on the specification of each print job and the two methods can even be used in conjunction, for example, when an offset-printed piece is then overprinted digitally with personalized content for each recipient.

Offset and digital printing will continue to coexist for some time to come due to the unique capabilities of each.  One rule of thumb is:  quantities greater than 1,500 consider offset; quantities less than 1,500 consider digital.  Are you interested in drawing on the expertise of the Marymoor Press Team to help you achieve your goals?  Contact us now at 425.881.2436. Let’s talk about your current business challenge.