Digital or offset printing: which does your job need?
The difference matters most at the point where one becomes cheaper than the other. How to tell which side of that line your job sits on.
Most print jobs are decided by quantity, but not only by quantity. Here is how the two processes actually differ and what that means for your job.
Digital printing
No printing plates, so there is almost no setup. That makes short runs economical and turnarounds fast, and it allows variable data, where every copy can differ.
- Best for short runs and fast deadlines
- Each copy can carry different text, such as names or codes
- Slightly higher cost per copy, which matters at volume
Offset printing
Plates are made and ink is transferred through a blanket to the stock. The setup costs real money, and once it is running the cost per copy drops sharply. Colour consistency across a long run is better, and more specialist stocks and finishes are available.
- Best for long runs where unit cost matters
- Better colour consistency across thousands of copies
- Wider choice of stocks, inks and finishes
- Needs longer, because of setup and drying
Where the crossover sits
There is a quantity at which offset becomes cheaper per copy than digital, and it moves with the size, the stock and the number of colours. Rather than guess, send the specification and the quantity and ask for both prices. Any honest printer will tell you which side of the line you are on.
When the decision is not about quantity
- A deadline in days points to digital regardless of quantity
- Brand colours that must match exactly across a long run point to offset
- Personalised copies point to digital, whatever the volume
- Unusual stock or a special finish often points to offset
We run both, plus large format and packaging, under one roof. See custom printing services.
