Offset Printing vs Digital Printing: Pros and Cons of Each

By Sarah Harris

In the ever-evolving world of printing technology, the two most common methods are offset printing vs digital printing. While offset printing has been the industry standard for decades, digital printing has rapidly gained ground, offering a more efficient and cost-effective alternative for many applications.

As businesses and individuals navigate the complexities of their printing needs, the question arises: which printing method should they choose? This debate poses an important question that can impact quality, turnaround time, and overall cost-effectiveness – which is why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide.

Let’s delve into the pros and cons of digital vs offset printing, weighing their strengths and limitations to help you make an informed choice for your next project!

Does your business or organization need a professional printing job done right? Get in touch for a free quote from the printing experts at Print Bind Ship!

How to Decide Between Offset Printing vs Digital Printing

There is no definitive “better” option between offset printing vs digital printing. Instead each method has its own strengths and is more suitable for different types of projects and requirements. Here’s a brief comparison:

Offset printing is generally considered superior for:

• Large print runs (over 1,000 copies) where economies of scale make it more cost-effective
• Projects requiring the highest possible image quality, precise color matching, and sharp detail
• Printing on a wide variety of materials like plastics, metals, and textiles
• Print jobs that don’t require variability or customization

Digital printing is often preferred for:

• Short print runs and lower quantities where the upfront costs of offset are not justified
• Print jobs with tight turnaround times, as digital has very quick setup
• Projects requiring variable data printing, like personalization or numbering
• Printing on standard paper stocks and some coated materials

Ultimately, the choice depends on factors such as print volume, quality requirements, turnaround time, substrate versatility, and budget. Many professional printing companies, like Print Bind Ship, offer both offset and digital printing services to cater to different project needs. For some jobs, a combination of the two methods can even be used.

Essentially, offset printing excels for high volumes and extremely precise quality, while digital printing is more flexible, cost-effective for shorter runs, and better suited for customized or variable data jobs. If you’re still not sure which is the best solution for your project, consider your individual needs or reach out to the printing experts at Print Bind Ship for some personalized guidance.

What is Offset Printing?

Offset printing is a traditional printing method that is popular for large print orders. Offset printing is an older method than digital printing. This process uses aluminum plates that transfer an inked image onto a rubber sheet, which is then used to print onto the desired material. The offset printing method is best used for large-scale printing projects that require high-quality output and long print runs.

Offset printing’s main advantage is that it uses a wider range of materials, including custom colors and Pantone inks, which makes it ideal for printing projects that require precision in color and detail. It’s also the most cost-effective for large batches of prints.

You’ll typically see offset printing in book printing and other larger print products. Offset printing also delivers beautiful, high-quality results that can’t always be matched with digital printing.

How Does Offset Printing Work?

Offset printing is an indirect printing process where the inked image is first transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket, and then from the blanket to the printing surface. The process uses plates, typically made of aluminum, that are chemically treated to allow ink to adhere only to the image areas. The inked image on the plate is then transferred to a rubber blanket cylinder, which in turn transfers the image onto the paper or other printing surface. This “offset” process produces sharper images and allows for longer print runs compared to direct printing methods.

Pros and Cons of Offset Printing

Offset printing has its advantages and disadvantages. While it produces high-quality results, it won’t work for every project.

Pros of Offset Printing

• Offset printing is great for large projects. If you need to print a large run of books, magazines, posters or anything else, you can get more for your money with offset printing. You must invest money upfront to get the plates made, but the overall cost for a large print run is usually going to be cheaper with offset printing than with digital printing.
• Offset printing provides superior image quality. Another reason people love offset printing is that it results in beautiful quality images. The results are crisp and clear, and the colors will be true to the design. Offset printing is also great if you need special finishes like embossing.
• You can use offset printing on any material. If you’re working with a nontraditional material, offset printing can still create excellent results.

Cons of Offset Printing

• Offset printing is expensive for small print runs. Because custom plates can be costly, offset printing isn’t ideal for smaller jobs.
• The offset printing process takes longer than digital printing. This is because it takes time to get the plates set up.
• It’s harder to correct errors with offset printing. If an error occurs during the printing process, it’s harder to fix because of the nature of the printer and the plates required.

What is Digital Printing?

Digital printing involves printing digital-based images on different types of materials such as paper, plastic and fabrics. Unlike offset printing, digital printing does not require plates as it is a direct-to-print process. Instead, this method uses either inkjet or laser technology. This means that digital printing is highly versatile, cost-effective, and offers high-quality output that is perfect for short print runs.

The main advantage of digital printing is its ability to print only the number of copies you need, as compared to offset printing, which typically has a minimum print run. It’s ideal for projects that require a smaller quantity of prints — such as business cards, flyers or brochures.

Digital printing has become very accessible — there’s a good chance you have a digital printer at home or at your office. But many printing companies also offer professional quality digital printing services and the latest print technology that may be best for larger or professional projects.

Learn more about commercial and professional digital printing here.

How Does Digital Printing Work?

Digital printing is a direct printing process that does not involve plates or a separate image transfer step. Instead, digital printers use digital files as the source for the image and apply toner or ink directly onto the printing surface. The most common digital printing technologies include laser printers, which use toner and a heated fusing process, and inkjet printers, which spray liquid ink onto the material.

Pros and Cons of Digital Printing

Like offset printing, there are advantages and disadvantages to using a digital printing strategy. Here are the pros and cons of digital printing.

Pros of Digital Printing

• Digital printing is great for small projects. If you’re only making a few prints, digital printing is much cheaper than offset printing.
• Digital printing is fast. Because you don’t have to wait for custom plates to be developed, you can get your prints made quickly.
• You can adjust the image from print to print. If you need to change a detail in the print or fix a mistake at any point during the run, it’s easy to do.

Cons of Digital Printing

• Digital printing is expensive for large orders. If you’re printing thousands of copies, the costs for digital printing will add up very quickly. This is because the cost per print stays the same no matter how many prints you make.
• Digital prints aren’t as crisp as offset prints. Inkjet printing may also smear in rare cases.
• You’re limited in size and materials. Digital printers have limits regarding the materials you can and cannot print on.

5 Differences Between Offset Printing vs Digital Printing

While these two printing methods can both be very effective, there are some key differences between them. Understanding how offset and digital printing compare can help you decide which is the best solution for your project.

1. Printing Process: Offset printing is an indirect process involving plates and a rubber blanket, while digital printing is a direct process that transfers the image directly onto the printing surface.

2. Setup Time: Offset printing requires extensive setup time for plate making and press calibration, making it better suited for large print runs. Digital printing has minimal setup time, making it ideal for shorter print runs.

3. Cost Structure: Offset printing has higher upfront costs due to plate and setup expenses but becomes more cost-effective for larger quantities. Digital printing has lower upfront costs but higher per-unit costs for larger volumes.

4. Image Quality: Offset printing generally produces higher-quality images with superior color accuracy and sharpness, especially for detailed graphics and large solid areas. Digital printing quality is still very high but still falls slightly short compared to the alternative.

5. Versatility: Offset printing can be used on a wide range of materials, including plastics, metals, and textiles, while digital printing is typically limited to paper, cardstock, and some coated materials.

Partnering with the Professionals for Print Services

Offset printing remains the gold standard for large-volume projects demanding impeccable image quality, precise color accuracy, and the versatility to print on an array of substrates. Its strengths lie in its ability to produce consistent, high-quality output over extended print runs, making it an enduring choice for commercial printers and publishers.

That said, digital printing still has many advantages in its own right. This option is nonetheless a cost-effective solution for short runs, tight turnarounds, and projects requiring variable data or personalization. Ultimately, the choice depends on your specific project needs.

The majority of professional printing companies, like Print Bind Ship, offer both digital and offset printing solutions. Get in touch with the experts at Print Bind Ship for personalized guidance and a free quote!

FAQ