What is the difference between Offset and Digital printing?

Offset and digital are two types of printing that people use. Digital printing is usually used by people when they want to do short-term printing. For example, if you are only going to make one copy, digital printing is the better option.

Offset printing will make use of different metal plates that can be used for long-term printing. You will be able to save more money if you would use this type of printing but only if you are doing bulk orders. If you would use this only to print a few copies, the amount that you will spend will be much more than what you have assumed. Always consider the number of copies you are going to make.

Offset printing, also known as lithography is done by burning your desired image to a plate. The plates used are often aluminium plate. The image of the plate is then transferred to a rubber blanket before it is been transferred to the printing surface (roller). Offset printing is fast and it provides a cheaper price per piece when compared to digital printing. It is the best printing option for large printing quantities.

Digital printing does not make use of plate like offset plate. It is done by computerized reproduction. An electronic file is printed directly to the surface for printing. Toner is directly applied to the paper. It is the preferred option for lower printing quantities.

Offsetting printing and digital printing are used in producing quality print works. However, offsetting printing and digital printing differ in some ways. The first difference between them is that, offsetting printing is used in producing a high volume of print works, this means you can use it to print thousands of identical copies at a time. While digital printing is used for printing materials that are not too much, and that is why it does not require a big setup for this kind of operation.

Another notable difference between offsetting and digital printing is how the two perform their operations. Offsetting printing makes use of a process which is time consuming because it requires the use of metal plates that have been etched to apply inks onto a sheet of paper. Whereas, digital printing makes use of an electrostatic roller to apply inks onto the paper. Digital printing looks more like an automatic process than offset. And it is less expensive than offsetting printing.