Choosing the most effective process for your color printing needs will make sure you are getting both the quality and price you want. Both offset and digital printing offer viable quality products however each was designed with specific applications in mind. Here is a quick reference to help you choose the best method for your next color print job.
Offset printing creates large quantities of prints working from a set of original aluminum plates. The plates transfer the images onto rubber rollers that in turn work at high speed applying the inks and images onto paper. Offset printing is best for the following print jobs:
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Larger quantity jobs
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Jobs which require the use of specific Pantone colors, especially branding jobs for ads and business collateral
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Jobs requiring varied paper types and finishes
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High quality, high quantity and special effects such as metallic paints and finishes
Digital Printing
Digital printing uses toner or liquid ink depending on the size of the printed in question. Digital printing is ideal for jobs under 500 copies and offers a quality product without the capability to provide exact color matches. The best uses for digital print jobs include:
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Low run quantities
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Jobs requiring unique address or codes per unit
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Flyers, greeting cards, invitations
Pros and Cons of Offset Printing
Offset printing offers excellent quality, color matching and large runs. It can also accommodate varying papers, finishes and sizes. As your quantities go up your pricing comes down per unit. However you cannot use offset printing to apply unique addresses, codes or numbering as you can with digital printing.
Pros and Cons of Digital Printings
Digital printing offers a good quality print ideal for small quantities. It also offers the opportunity to individualize each copy for addresses, codes and numbering if required. Digital printing cannot guarantee color matches to Pantone nor can it use specialty inks such as metallics. Digital printing is not designed for large runs and can be costly when running over 500 copies.
For the past 25 years, Printing Express has been serving the needs of clients in the greater Queens, NY, and NYC, NY, areas. We offer high-quality printing services at prices you can afford. Partner with us to see just what we mean.
