What printing method you should consider when you need jobs to be printed?

6 main point which you need to consider when choosing printing method.

• Printing Quality & Paper Type

• Printing Quantity

• Printing Size

• Printing of Color

• Turnaround Time

• Customized Print Jobs

Printing Quality & Paper Type

The important of choosing either digital print or offset print is depend on the printing quality and the paper type for your print jobs. Digital printers normally have limited paper type you can choose as some digital printers cannot support paper which is very thick (above 350gram) . Offset printing can print on surface like plastic , rubber and so on. As for quality print, offset printing would be a better choice as digital printing will not be so consistent on the color as the print goes on.

Printing Quantity

The quantity is also a major issue when choosing which kind of printing method to be use. Offset has a higher initial cost as they need films and plates before the prints start. Usually minimum order of quantity is 1000 pcs per printing required for offset (unless you need better quality of printing) . When it comes to low quantity like below 500pcs or 300 pcs, digital print will be the best choice .

Printing Size

Digital printers have limitation on their sizes, the maximum size which they could go is 310mm x 450mm (depends on the digital printer) whereas offset could print until 24” x 36” (depend on the offset machine). If there a size which exceed the limitation of the digital print, then offset print will be the choice for your print jobs.

Printing of Color

Digital printers uses CMYK ink as in Cyan, Magenta, Yellow & Black. So when it comes to printing which required pantone code or specific 1 or 2 color , then offset would be a better choice.

Turnaround Time

If printing jobs need to be done in rush mode, digital print would be the better choice as they can print on the spot. Offset printers can also produce the printing jobs in rush mode but additional cost would be added in .

Customized Print Jobs

When you need print jobs which required customization or personalization such as letterhead, name cards , personalized cover that need to change very often, then digital printing will be your best choice as you have the choice to print as and when you required it. Offset would be costly when it comes to print a handful of materials.

As a conclusion, both printing techniques have it own advantages and disadvantages. It depends on what you required based on the points stated above.