Digital Printing vs Offset Printing
Many ask me what is the difference between digital printing and offset printing. I will answer in a very simple way. One is instant noodle, the other one is a well cooked meal.
Why do I say that? If you have to print 50 pieces of A4 size leaflets, you can go to any printing shop that have digital printing in Malaysia and they can get it done for you on the same day.
On the other hand, if you print huge volume such as 5000 pieces of leaflets, it will be better to use offset printing. Although offset printing will take a longer time to do but the price for quantity printing will be much lower compare to digital printing.
That is why I say digital printing is like instant noodle, it can be done very fast but the outcome is less satisfactory. Offset printing is like a well cooked meal, this traditional printing technology will take a longer time to do but the result is always more professional.
Let us discussed more about digital printing vs offset printing so you can better understand which one to use for your printing.
What is offset printing?
Offset printing uses plates to transfer an image onto a rubber “blanket”, and then rolling that image onto the paper surface. It is called offset because the ink is not transferred directly onto the paper.
Similar to cooking a proper meal which you need to prepare your ingredients before cooking. To do offset printing you need to have digital colour proof so that the printer can check colours during printing. You also need CMYK printing plates. If you want additional colours, such as Pantone, you will be need extra plate.
Offset printing is more complicating. You need to mount the plates, clean the rollers, do test printing before you start printing. Similar with a proper cook meal which takes a longer time to prepare, the end result will be more professional.
Today offset printing machines are very sophisticated, up to 7 colours are available. If you are printing a 5 colours job with a 4 colours offset printing machine, you will need to run the printing twice in order to print the 5th colours.
What is digital colour printing?
Digital printing is a printing process using electronic file. You only need to upload you design, do a colour test, when you are happy with the outcome, just press start and you can proceed with the printing.
No need to do colour proof and printing plates. No need to clean the rollers, mount the plates. You only need to have someone to operate the entire digital printing machine. Digital printing is very simple and efficient. You can get your A4 leaflets printed instantly. That is why I say digital printing is like instant noodle.
Today some high end digital printing machine can print up to 6 colours. They also come with binding machine so you can complete your brochure printed and binded.
Printing quality
I have been doing design for many years and I always find that the colour accuracy of digital printing is still not as good as offset printing. My personal opinion is sometimes digital printing will turn up more yellowish or reddish.
This is maybe due to the reason that electronic printing used RGB colour and the colours are more like computer screen. Offset printing used CMYK and the colours are more natural.
The advantage of offset printing is it will give you crisp printing and better colour accuracy. Packaging boxes, leaflets, brochures and catalogues printed with offset printing will feel and look more professional.
Cost of printing
In Malaysia, if you print 2,000 pieces of leaflets with offset printing, the price for per piece will be less the 50 cent but the lowest you can get for digital printed leaflet is RM1.00 per piece no matter what quantity you are printing.
On the contrary, if you are printing 100 pieces of leaflets. The additional cost to do digital colour proof and printing plates will ultimately make offset printing more expensive.
For a short run, digital printing will be cheaper. If you are printing a huge quantity, offset printing will be more economical compare to digital printing.
Faster and more efficient
After you have done all the preparations, offset printing machine are capable to print up to 15000 pieces in an hour. In term of speed, offset printing machine is faster if you are doing huge volume of printing.
If you are not printing many pieces, or your need your printed materials urgently, nothing can beat digital printing in terms of speed and efficiency. You can passed your design to a digital printer in the morning and probably get it in the afternoon.
Flexibility
With offset printing, we can work with a wide range of materials including paper, cardboard and plastic. There are limitations to what materials can be used for digital printing.
Packaging box for FMCG required large volume printing. Normally we used offset printing to do packaging box printing. After printing, we can do special finishings such as lamination, foil stamping, emboss and deboss to make the packaging box eye catching.
Conclusion
Both digital printing and offset printing have their advantages and disadvantages. It all depend on what you want. How rush is your job? What is your quantity?
Give us a call if you are looking for a printing company that can provide both digital or offset printing. Whether it is low volume or huge quantity printing, Uniquelink will be able to fulfil your requirements.