| Digital printing is best for on-demand printing, small | | | | Short-run book printing is good for digital printing |
| quantities, short-run book printing and variable | | | | equipment because your files can print collated |
| data printing. Digital printing outputs each page | | | | and be ready for finishing; where in the offset |
| with the ink or toner cured and ready for | | | | printing process only the front and back of a |
| finishing. Offset printing uses wet inks and the | | | | single sheet can be output per setup. Also, much |
| printed sheets typically have to dry for a certain | | | | more bindery and finishing is involved when |
| time period or the ink will smudge or "offset" | | | | printing multi-page publications on offset |
| when cutting, folding, booklet making, etc. So for | | | | equipment. But there is a cross-over point in |
| your on-demand printing needs of rush orders, | | | | quantity when it is more cost effective to go |
| the best choice would be to use a digital printing | | | | offset vs. digital. This cross-over point involves |
| company. | | | | both page count and quantity of finished books. |
| Offset printing is used primarily for larger | | | | Typically digital printing is more cost effective for |
| quantities on printing jobs with more of a flexible | | | | quantities up to 1500. Then from 1500 to 5000 |
| timeline. This is generally a less expensive printing | | | | books is a limbo quantity where only specialized |
| option because the larger the quantity, the | | | | equipment can produce books at a decent price. |
| cheaper the price. The majority of the cost | | | | Then from 5000 to millions, large web-presses |
| involved with offset printing is the setup of the | | | | (offset printing, but uses rolls of paper instead of |
| press. Once the press is set, the job can print | | | | converted sheets of paper) are best. And the |
| away at 10,000 to 30,000 pages per hour. | | | | higher the page count, the more setup and |
| Smaller quantities are best printed on a digital | | | | finishing is involved for offset printing, but stays |
| press because large printing orders typically cost | | | | the same for digital printing. |
| less when printed offset with traditional | | | | Finally, Variable Data Printing (VDP) is possible only |
| lithographic printing equipment. A digital printing | | | | on digital printing equipment. VDP takes your |
| company pays the press manufacturer per click, | | | | direct mail to a one-to-one approach and |
| impression or per sheet for supplies and service | | | | individualizes each marketing piece such as direct |
| regardless if the press is on a lease or paid in | | | | mail postcards, newsletters flyers, etc. Now you |
| full. So the cost for one sheet or a million is the | | | | can personalize your digital printing with variable |
| same per piece. But on an offset press, the | | | | data images and text tailored to your |
| majority of the cost is setup time and then paper | | | | customer’s needs, preferences or lifestyle. |
| cost. Since offset printing is 5 to 10 times faster | | | | With VDP you will increase direct mail response |
| than digital printing, once the press is set for a | | | | rates, average order size, revenue and ROI. |
| particular job, the actual printing is completed | | | | Response rates may soar to 36% from |
| quickly. For example, a 100,000 quantity flyer | | | | traditionally static printing response rates of 1-3%. |
| order may take 1 hour on a printing press (setup | | | | In summary, digital printing is the way of the |
| and printing) that fits 16 pages on a single large | | | | future for the printing industry, but it has its |
| press sheet. On the other hand, it may take | | | | limitations and uses. So now, with a bit more |
| two days to complete such a large job on a digital | | | | information of when to use a digital printing |
| press that only fits 2 pages on it’s much | | | | company and when to go offset, you can |
| smaller press sheet. But for small orders, there | | | | produce your marketing or business printing |
| is no paper waste for setup of digital printing | | | | efficiently and on schedule while optimizing your |
| equipment, and within seconds quality printed | | | | return on investment (ROI). |
| sheets are ready for finishing. | | | | |