One of the common questions customers consider when looking for printing services is “What is the difference between the two most common commercial printing technologies used today?” The answer is not that simple and straight-forward as many of us might think. So, we thought a good article on this topic would be helpful for many to decide which printing method to use.

1. Difference between Offset
Printing and Digital Printing

2. One of the common questions customers consider
when looking for printing services is “What is the
difference between the two most common
commercial printing technologies used today?” The
answer is not that simple and straight-forward as
many of us might think. So, we thought a good
article on this topic would be helpful for many to
decide which printing method to use.

3. Offset printing
Offset printing is traditional form of printing. In this
process of printing, wet ink and printing plates are
used to transfer an image onto a rubber blanket and
then onto paper. Offset printing uses CMYK (Cyan,
Magenta, Yellow, and Black) and Pantone spot color
(PMS) to print colors on the paper or any given
material.

4. Advantages of offset printing
High quantity runs
Offset printing is typically used for large print volumes with a minimum of 1,000
copies. If you require large quantities, then offset printing is better option.
Cost-effectiveness in high volume
Offset printing is cost effective for high volume prints. It is budget-friendly when it
comes to large runs as the cost per unit goes down with the increase in the quantity of
prints.
Superior image quality with vibrant colors
Offset printing produces consistent image quality with higher resolution. Also, the
image quality is sharp and clean with vibrant colors. You can print on a variety of
surfaces including plastic, cloth, wood and metal using offset printing.

5. Digital printing
Digital printing is a modern printing process that uses either
a dry or powdered ink toner, like that used in laser printers.
In this process, a file from a computer is sent to a digital
computer, which is then printed on a paper. Digital printing
uses either CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) or
RGB (Red, Green, and Blue) toners to print.

6. Advantages of digital printing
Quicker turnaround
As printing plates/films are not used in digital printing, time involved in printing is less.
Personalize the prints
Digital printing gives you the advantage of personalizing every print by using Variable Data Printing
(VDP). You can change the text and graphics using the information from a database – can be done at
the same price.
Cheaper low volume printing
Digital printing is less expensive for low volume printing as the setup costs are low. It provides
lower per unit costs on short runs (low quantity). You can print only the number of prints you need –
as low as 1, 10 or 100 prints.
Less waste
There is less wastage and more accurate counts in digital printing as you need not balance the ink
and the water during printing.

7. Which is a better option – digital or offset?
It depends on the urgency, quality, quantity, material and
cost. Front-end costs are more in offset printing. It is
suitable for huge quantity prints. Digital printing is more
suitable for less quantity prints.
Whether you are planning for offset or digital printing, it's
better to look for a professional printing company with a
team of experts who will advise and offer you the best
options for your printing needs.

8. Apple Visual Graphics has over 15 years of experience in
providing quality printing services. Founded in 1995, it has
grown to become the leading print company offering highly
specialized offset, wide format & digital printing &
production services in New York. If you are looking for
printing services using the keywords wide format printing
NYC or large format printing NYC, visit us at
www.applevisualgraphics.com.