Digital or Offset Printing?
There are two key terms that fall under the printing "umbrella" - Digital and Offset.
At First Impressions, we utilize both Digital and Offset Printing to produce high-quality results every time. Which process suits your job? That depends on many factors such as quantity, finished size and color. Once we discuss your project with you, we will let you know the best and most cost efficient way to run the job.
Digital Printing is a type of printing which uses digital imaging process that transfers the image directly onto plain paper immediately, without traditional offset rollers and plates. Digital printing eliminates many of the mechanical steps required for conventional printing, including making films and color proofs, manually stripping the pieces together and making plates. The advantages of Digital Printing include quick turnaround schedules, accurate counts, less waste and fewer variations since there is not a lot of pre-press work needed to balance the inks. Digital Printing also allows cheaper volume printing on small print runs. This is because there are minimal set up costs involved. With Digital Printing, you can utilize Variable Data Printing. This enables us to incorporate information from a database or external file to change text or even graphics without stopping or slowing down the press. Variable Data Printing is perfect for personalized mass mailings, direct mail campaigns or personalized advertising campaigns.
Digital Offset Printing is a type of printing which uses computer-to-plate, or CTP, technology. Digital offset printing eliminates many of the mechanical steps required for conventional printing, including making films and color proofs, manually stripping the pieces together and making plates. The advantages of Digital Offset Printing include quick turnaround schedules, accurate counts, less waste and fewer variations since there is not a lot of pre-press work needed to balance the inks. Our state of the art Digital Offset Printers receive print files directly from our Graphic Designer’s workstation, produces the plates, balances the inks and runs the job in a fraction of the time it takes to set up the traditional offset printers.  Digital Offset Printing is NOT a toner based printing process so colors are rich and vibrant.
Offset Printing is currently the most common commercial printing method, in which ink is offset from the printing plate to a second roller and then to paper. Ink is transferred to paper from a blanket that carries an impression from the printing plate, rather than directly from the printing plate itself. Generally, when we say "offset" we mean "offset lithography," even though other printing processes, such as letterpress, may also use this indirect technique. When printing in large quantities, Offset Printing is the better option. There is generally one set-up fee to make the plates and balance the inks. The unit cost goes down as the quantity goes up. With Offset Printing, there are more options when it comes to paper size as you can print on much larger sheets of paper with an Offset Press.
Still have questions? Check out our Glossary of Printing Terms! Of course, you can always call us at 845-692-4490 or send us an email to find out which printing option is best for your project.
