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10 Differences between offset and digital printing to help you choose the best technology for your project

digitaler Offsetdruck

In this text, we want to share with you some practical tips on choosing the right printing technology. If you are planning to print leaflets, posters, catalogues or business cards, you are surely wondering which option – digital or offset printing – will be best for your project. After all, it’s all about quality, turnaround time and, of course, cost. We’ve put together a breakdown of ten key differences between the two technologies that will certainly make your decision easier.

Offset and digital printing – what exactly is it?

Digital printing is a printing technology in which the image is transferred directly from a digital file onto paper or other material. It is a matrix-free process, which means that it does not require the preparation of printing forms, as is the case with offset printing. Digital printing is characterised by fast turnaround times, the possibility of personalisation and cost-effectiveness for small runs.

Offset printing is a traditional printing technique in which the image is transferred from the printing plate to the paper via ink-coated cylinders. This method is more time-consuming due to the need to prepare the printing forms, but offers excellent print quality, especially for large print runs. Offset is known for its precise colour reproduction and a wide choice of materials and special inks.

And now let’s move on to the promised more extensive comparison of the two techniques.

1. Print run

One of the main differences between offset and digital print is cost-effectiveness for different print runs. Digital printing is ideal if you need a small quantity of material – for example, 50 or 100 pieces. With offset, the opposite is true – it only becomes cost-effective for larger runs, usually above 500-1000 pieces.

2. Initial costs – this is where digital printing reigns supreme

Offset printing involves higher initial costs due to the need to prepare printing plates (printing forms). In digital printing, this cost does not exist – we print directly from the digital file, which reduces costs for small runs. So if your budget is limited and the print run is small, digital will be more economical.

3. Lead time

Have a project to do yesterday? Digital printing will be the best option because it does not require time-consuming preparation – we go straight to print. Offset printing, on the other hand, takes more time due to the need to prepare the printing forms and calibrate the machine. So if you are pressed for time, digital printing is the better choice.

4. Print quality

This is where the interesting discussion begins. Offset printing we often consider the quality standard in the industry – it guarantees crisp colours, excellent detail reproduction and even ink coverage. Digital printing has made huge strides and in many cases the quality is comparable, but for more demanding projects, especially for fine art prints or luxury catalogues, offset is still in the lead.

5. Personalisation options – digital printing at its best again

If you are thinking of personalising your materials – for example, adding customers’ names to your invitations – then digital printing is unbeatable here. With offset printing, each copy is identical, making it impossible to make changes during production. Digital technology allows you to be flexible and print each copy with a unique element.

6. Choice of materials and colours

Offset printing offers a wide range of papers and special colours, such as gold, silver and even fluorescent. If your project requires unusual solutions, offset will give you more options. On the other hand, the digital option has its limitations – not all papers are suitable for it, and special colours are rare.

7. Sample print

If you want to see what the final product will look like before printing the entire print run, digital printing gives you that opportunity. You can print a single proof, which is impossible with offset without incurring high costs.

8. Eco-friendliness

Nowadays, more and more people are paying attention to the ecological aspects of production. Digital printing is less invasive for the environment – it uses less paper and inks and generates less waste. Offset, while offering the possibility of using more environmentally friendly vegetable oil-based inks, still involves more material consumption.

9. CMYK vs Pantone colours

Digital printing uses standard CMYK colours (cyan, magenta, yellow, black), which can be a bit of a limitation if your project requires very accurate colour reproduction. In offset printing, we can use Pantone colours, which provide greater colour accuracy and consistency, especially in brand identity.

10. Production flexibility

Digital printing is more flexible in terms of adapting to changes – you can make adjustments to the design even just before printing. Offset requires printing plates prepared in advance, so any last-minute changes incur additional costs and time.

Bottom line – so digital printing or offset printing?

As you can see, the choice between digital and offset printing depends on many factors – from print run, quality and turnaround time to budget and personalisation options. Each technology has its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s worth thinking carefully about what’s most important for your project. If you have any doubts, you can always consult our team – we’ll help you choose the best solution and make sure the final product meets your expectations. After all, printing is our passion and your satisfaction is most important to us!

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