Technological advancements in the printing industry have brought about more options and impressive features in today's commercial printing. The introduction of offset and digital printing are new advancements, and many clients often find it difficult to choose between the two technologies. Technically, offset printing and digital printing are quite distinct except that they are both viable options for commercial printing requirements. Understanding their features and benefits can help you make an informed and cost-effective decision to meet your printing needs.

Offset printing

Offset printing is a technology that is widely used in the commercial printing of magazines, advertisements, booklets, postcards and brochures, among other works. During the operation of the printer, a plate is used to transfer the ink to a rubber sheet. This sheet then offsets or rolls the ink onto paper or any other surface. The following are some of the benefits accrued to utilizing offset printing for your project:

• It delivers high printing quality with high image quality.
• Large scale printing of up to hundreds of thousands can be carried out cost-effectively.
• The price per piece becomes cheaper as you print more; therefore, it is suitable for printing in large quantities.
• It can be used on a variety of surfaces, including paper with custom finishes, vinyl, wood, cloth, metal and plastic, among others.

Digital printing

Digital printing makes use of toners or liquid ink without an intermediary such as a rubber sheet. Digital printing is suitable when lower quantities are needed, and is the most preferred option for clients with small or medium-sized businesses that require short-run printing. This technology is also ideal in instances where the printed flyers, cards or other works require the incorporation of specific names or addresses. It may not be possible to achieve this with offset printing. Some advantages of digital printing include the following:

• It is flexible and convenient in that you can print the quantity that you need at a particular time.
• It allows you to personalize printed works by including names and other personal details, especially if they are to be sent to specific customers of the business.
• It can be used with various surfaces such as paper, glass, and metal.
• Black and white digital printing is quite inexpensive, and pricing is straightforward.

It is evident that the choice between offset printing and digital printing will be primarily based on the nature of your printing needs. Select a suitable printing company to ensure you get the best quality printed works regardless of the technology you choose.