Today’s world where every other day technology is evolving and printing technology is no less. This overwhelming advancement in printing technology has made it difficult to choose between digital and traditional methods. And this debate of digital printing versus offset printing has not been from today but from decades from when a digital printing company came into being, as both have their own strengths and weaknesses so it is essential to understand what exactly are these two printing methods, cost, time, difference, benefits and drawbacks. So that you can assess which printing method suites you better according to our business needs
Shaheen Advertising is a digital and offset printing company as well. We help businesses from Dubai and all over UAE to choose the right option from these two according to their quantity, quality, end result goals and requirements. Here in this blog we will guide you to understand what exactly are the two printing types and how they are different, each one pros and cons and lastly what works best for your product.
What Is Offset Printing?
Offset printing is a traditional printing technique where an aluminum plate is created with specific design to be printed. Plate is chemically prepared so that according to design some areas attract ink and some repel. Then aluminium plate is transferred to rubber blanket which then helps to print perfectly on even and uneven surfaces as well.
Offset print is ideal for large prints and bulk order as it offers a consistent and accurate color scheme.
What Is Digital Printing?
Digital printing is a modern printing technique which does not need plate setup, rather it just functions like your printer home that you need one design file and command to print and directly print digital picture or design onto the paper. However on a big scale there are different types of digital printing for different kinds of material. Such as inkjet, UV, laser etc.
Digital printing is more suitable for small run, on-demand printing and customization like name, addresses and product codes as well.
Key Differences: Offset Printing vs Digital Printing
| Key Features | Offset Printing | Digital Printing |
| Process | Need to set plates for each design element but designs and color accuracy is perfect. | An extensive preparation is not needed, once a file is available even on the same day printing can be done but lacks the fine and deep detail which traditional printing needs. |
| Cost | Higher setup cost but once printing start cost per unit decreases with each new unit so ideal for large/bulk order. | Relatively high cost per unit but no initial setup cost so, suitable for small order |
| Turnaround Time | Requires preparation time but once set up it is efficient for large orders. | Quick turnaround, do not need preparation and drying up time. |
| Color accuracy | Long process but has exact colors as given in design | Color accuracy is good but not all pantone are available. |
| Finish option | There are numerous options like; embossed, spot Uv | Digital machines don’t have every kind of finish option, for example for laser and embossing you might need two different kinds of machines. |
| Environmental factor | As material is used to set up and then print in bulk so more waste | Less waste but Ink quality can be issue it is environment friendly or not |
In short, offset excels in quality and detail while digital is known for its speed and flexibility.
Offset vs Digital for Business Cards
Business cards are the face of any brand or business, so it matters the most that what printing you choose for your brand as details, color accuracy, material all make a difference because these small details and perfection can make your client mind or you can even lose potential clients on these small details.
Offset printing offers textured stock, metallic foiling, accurate color matching and as offset printing provides all these details it is perfect for corporate and luxury business cards.
Digital printing offers a quick and affordable card option, so if your business needs frequent changes in design or personalization digital printing is a good option for you.
Digital vs Offset printing: Pros and Cons
Digital Printing
| Pros | Cons |
| Quick on demand , customization and exact quantity needed can be done only in digital printing without any additional cost. | However in case of bulk order, per unit increases in comparison to offset printing. |
| Digital printing is more environmentally friendly as waste is less due and no need to prepare plates, chemicals, and most important in today’s world where water is becoming a scarcity digital printing doesn’t need much water as compared to traditional printing. | As Digital printing offers CMYK pantone and not all colors can be accurately be available in this pantone. So if client need exact color matching traditional printing is better option |
Offset Printing
| Pros | Cons |
| Traditional printing offers exact color and design matching. Along with that, Offset printing speciality is that it can be done on any surface like rough, plain or any kind of finish is possible with offset printing. | Traditional printing needs a time period and cost to set up before printing can be started. Unlike Digital printing which is quick, smaller projects cannot be cost effective through traditional printing. |
| Offset printing is ideal for bulk order as only the initial cost is high but with every additional piece being printed the cost gets lower and lower. So if you print something like a magazine, catalog, large promotional material or anything which is printed in bulk then offset is a good option. | In offset printing before final printing is started several trials are done to reach proper level of ink, color balance and how it is set on test sheets and in that process the test sheet cannot be reused and wasted. |
Is offset printing better than digital?
We cannot generalize which one is better, if digital was completely better and had all features then no one would be still using the traditional offset printing. Similarly digital printing is being used because offset has some limitations or is not effective in some ways.
That is where Shaheen Advertising is here to help you decide on an efficient printing option for your business needs.
- For bulk order, luxury finishes and exact color matching, go with an offset printing option.
- For on demand customization, speedy/urgent printing and affordable options, choose digital printing.
How Shaheen Advertising Helps You Decide
Shaheen Advertising gives you consultation based on our years of experience and expertise. We have updated technology in both Offset and Digital Printing, Where we provide;
- Color consistency.
- Quality finishes.
- Bulk and on Demand Printing option.
- Efficient and quick printing services from design consultation to delivery.
Whether you need Promotional and campaign material Or designing and printing packaging solutions, Shaheen Advertising is here 24/7 just one click away.
FAQs
How can you tell if a print is offset or digital?
Offset printing is more smooth and color rich. Offset printing is where ink is absorbed into the paper and it gives a matte and fine tone.
Digital printing is flatter with a clear appearance. As in digital printing inkjet dripping or toner is used, so closely observing it appears as dots patterns and dark color gives a glossy look.
Which is cheaper, digital or offset printing?
Digital printing is cheaper for small and customized copies. As there is no set up cost so for small quantities digital printing is an affordable option. So, if you need 100 or 500 prints opt for digital printing.
Offset printing is cheaper for bulk quantities. Firstly there is a set up cost but for bulk order, each additional print costs less than before. So if you need 10,000 prints opt for Offset printing.
What are the problems with offset printing?
Seemingly, there are four issues with offset printing;
- Each new design or job needs a new set up.
- Customization like number or Qr codes cannot be done in bulk printing as each print is identical.
- Not suitable for urgent prints or same day printing.
- Waste prints; as for design and color accuracy several sheets are printed and discarded.
