Offset Printing Vs Digital Printing

 

Offset printing is an established printmaking technique where the inked image is directly transferred from a solid plate to a specially coated rubber substrate and then to the desired printing surface. The offset method uses a solid image carrier, which is the top layer that presses against the substrate and holds the ink. Solid ink printers are suitable for single colors or low-resolution. The printing equipment consists of the printer itself, the ink cartridges, and the transfer paper. It is possible to create high-quality offset printouts even on small documents and images. Offset printing has many advantages over other printing technologies but also has some disadvantages.

Most businesses have little need for full-color digital printing because they already own a printing press, in either the form of a desktop printer or a copier, and most businesses operate digitally anyway. For these businesses offset printing might be a suitable option, especially for short runs of print materials. However, for long-run or large-scale printing, especially when considering projects where there will be many prints, it is more cost-effective to use traditional digital printing techniques.

There are several methods of Offset Printing, depending on the number of plates and the type of materials to be printed. The most basic method is called single-sided, or single-sided offset printing. With this process, the image is printed on one side of the plate, while the location where the image will be placed is chosen beforehand. For instance, if the image will be printed on a metal plate and then inserted into a rubber sheet print mold, the metal plate can be positioned to keep the image exactly where it needs to go.

Double-sided offset printing is very similar to single-sided, but the second sheet of material is placed over the first, thus creating a second layer. This layer is also called offset ink since it is applied to the second layer of rubber or other material rather than being spread on top of the original area of the material. Because the second layer uses a different color than the top layer, it produces much clearer images than the first layer.

After the desired location has been selected and the ink is loaded, the next step is to place the image onto the drum or plate in the offset machine. For this process to be successful, there must be at least two complete cycles of spinning time before the image begins to dry. If only one complete cycle occurs, some of the ink used during the original warmup run may run out before the image is properly dry. In addition, the ink used in the subsequent warmup runs may wash away before the image is completely finished drying.

The final step is the actual printing itself. For standard paper sizes, a variable-illustration setup will usually be utilized. This setup consists of a copying machine that digitally prints the image onto either an Offset Printing Press or, for high-quality prints, onto a dye-sublimation printer. Once this is completed, it will then be rushed to the fulfillment store where it will be packaged for delivery to customers. Depending on the particular manufacturer, this delivery maybe overnight, however, most companies are able to provide a very reasonable overnight shipping and delivery estimate.

There are several advantages and disadvantages to using offset printing for your next digital printing project. The advantage is that you do not have to rely on a third-party manufacturer to complete the job for you, therefore avoiding any additional costs for tools or supplies. Additionally, you can save a tremendous amount of time by doing the design and crafting of your own artwork. Many businesses find the digital printing project to be less expensive, especially when compared to the cost of traditional print media.

In closing, it is important to consider whether or not offset printing may be the best option for your next printing needs. Depending upon your own business structure, there are a number of different ways that you may be able to utilize the service. If you are simply looking to provide packaging and lab production for your next order, there are plenty of options that are readily available for your use. Alternatively, if you require high-quality color separation and spot color separation, as well as the expertise to ensure that every image is properly labeled and attributed correctly, then you may want to turn your attention towards digital printing equipment. Whatever your specific printing needs may be, you are sure to find something that is readily available.