Weve listed their differences, and when it makes sense to choose one over the other for your next print project. So againthe volume of printing is a key difference between offset printing versus digital printing. Print on demand vs offset printing for indie books. Nov 18, 2019 digital printing sometimes called digital offset uses similar technology to pod to print short runs of books. Our 52di 4color digital offset press is among the most efficient, productive and profitable printing systems on. Nov 16, 2015 offset vs digitalwhich is a better fit for your book printing project. Just like digital book printing, it is important to find a printer that specializes in offset book printing if that is going to be the method that makes the most sense for printing the book. Digital printers can print with rgb inks, whereas offset book printing prints with a cmyk cyan, magenta, yellow and black inks. Printondemand often referred to as pod is a method of digital book printing that allows you to print books as they are needed, from one book to thousands, instead of printing a large quantity in a single run. A digital book printer explains why his business provides a huge value to publishers, and how xerox supports them. Digital printer refers to the methods of printing from a digitalbased image directly to a variety of media.
A variety of factors determine if your specific book project is better suited for offset production or digital production whether you are printing a book, manual, catalog, or other multipage document, you will likely have a choice between two commercial production. The beauty of digital printing is the ability to print multiple versions and simultaneously pull in variable data, and even variable images, all in one print run. There are two main considerations in choosing between digital vs offset printing for your book. Offset printing is better if youre printing in quantity or if you want to choose a certain trim size or paper for your book. The growth of digital printing technology has brought technical advancements, more options, and exciting new features to todays commercial printing. Actual production clips of digital and offset printing presses from offset impressions. In some ways, a digital press works much like an office printer or copier. To simplify the process, first take your book trim size into consideration, and then choose the kind of printing you want to use digital vs offset.
The manufacturers of highvolume digital presses have made huge improvements in print quality, formats, speed, and workflow. Here is a brief explanation of the two and their respective cost formulas to help you determine which is best for your printing needs the next time you head out to the print shop. Offset printing uses ink and not toner and prints the book in signatures. By clicking accept or continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
Offset printing on the other hand typically runs presses that are 29 and 40 sheets. Digital printing approximates pms colors, but true pms colors are offset inks which have been premixed to maintain exact color whenever printed. Books that are printed ondemand are still created by presses, but this term is misleading because there are no plates in digital printing that are. Digital printing typically runs smaller sheet sizestypically 19 sheets with some machines going up to 29. If a book is highly visual and includes drawings or photographs, the offset process will offer a better reproduction. Whether youre an agency that needs booklets for an upcoming tradeshow or a healthcare professional publishing a medical journal, bookbaby is the best choice for efficient offset printing for your books. Book printers for offset book printing worryfree book. Advantages of each and how to decide which is right for your project. Little lessons comparing these book printing methods. Digital printing sometimes called digital offset uses similar technology to pod to print short runs of books.
Digital printing is different from the offset printing method because it does not involve the use of printing plates. However, even after youve checked off all of those boxes, theres another very important decision to make. Feb 23, 2017 digital printer refers to the methods of printing from a digitalbased image directly to a variety of media. How to choose your method as you can see from the advantages and disadvantages of digital vs offset printing, there is no single option that is best for all use cases. Because offset printing can mix custom color inks for each job, its naturally going to get the colors spoton. The book is shipped to the retailer, who forwards it to your reader. The quality of an average blackandwhite book printed on demand is nearly indistinguishable from an offset print. Offset printing versus printondemand publishers weekly. Choosing the right book printer for your book shouldnt be a burdensome task. Christian and christine talk about digital and offset printing, and discuss some advantages and disadvantages of each.
Digital printing shines when lower quantities are needed. According to infotrends, books are one of the fastestgrowing applications moving from offset to digital. They may even look identical, but looking closely will show you minute differences in the finished product. Digital vs offset printing book design made simple. Book printers for indie authors a digital and offset. It is always a good idea to consult with your printer early in the book creation process to discuss your plans and specifications.
Other differences between offset printing versus digital printing. When using offset printing, your book is actually printed in groups of pages called signatures. Watch the oki pro 9541 led 5 colour digital printer in action. As you can see from the advantages and disadvantages of digital vs offset printing, there is no single option that is best for all use cases.
Digital printing digital offset printing impressions. Higher image quality is still an advantage of offset. The 32si is an alternative to conventional print technologies for packaging, labeling, posters, book covers, pointofpurchase materials, display materials, and more. The quality level of digital printing is now extremely close to offset printing. Count on offset printing for clean, distinct type and images without streaks or spots. Komoris lithrone 28 perfector printer features an automated perfector changeover in threeandahalf minutes. Feb 17, 2014 actual production clips of digital and offset printing presses from offset impressions. Print on demand is the same as an oversize house hold printer using laser or inkjet, while offset printing is typically computer to plate. The canadian company installed the first unit at the friesens book printing facility and will install the second press in late 2020. This is often offered by the same companies that do offset. Book printing selfpublishing nw book printer gorham printing. Offset printing has a different printing method, offering higher quality ink. This is due to the high set up cost of the offset press for 100 different sheets which outweighs the greater expense of the digital press prints. If your small publisher is printing 500 copies of your books, this is likely what they are doing.
Digital printing doesnt use plates the way offset does, but instead uses options such as toner like in laser printers or larger printers that do use liquid ink. Oct 22, 2019 the differences between offset printing vs. About 50% of these are offset printers, 3% are digital printers, and 1% are inkjet printers. It can also offer a wider range of book spec options, from spot finishes, to foldout pages, to unusual trim sizes, and a wider range of paper weights. Instead, the digital files to be printed are electronically transferred directly to the press for output. We produce custom softcover, hardcover, and spiralbound books in quantities of 25 to 2,000. Another benefit of digital printing is its variable data capability. Learn which method makes the most sense for printing. Although digital printing works well on most stocks today, there are still some papers and jobs where offset printing works better. It allows the printer to use different paper types, custom finishes, and a wide variety of inks. Dont let the decision about digital vs offset printing stop you in your tracks. Better color fidelity, which refers to both the accuracy of the colors and their balance in the design. There have been great advances in digital printing and printondemand technologies over the last decade. Offset printing offset printer offset printing services.
He or she should also be able to meet with you and explain the printing and finishing processes used to produce these jobs. Book printers for offset book printing book designer fiona. Printing new york offers both offset printing and digital printing the two most widespread methods of printing. Breakeven point on digital versus offset is entirely dependent upon how many pieces you can get to a page, but, for us before i decide to outsource to offset, i have found that a typical 44 6x9 post card i can get 4up to a x 19 sheet that point is between 8,000 to 10,000 finished pieces. Digital equipment manufacturers are continually improving the quality of digital output, but offset printing, especially with pms ink colors, will produce more consistent results over time. The press then applies the ink directly to the paper in a single pass. Images are applied to paper in layers of color via rollers, but digital presses do not. Offset printing presses also allow you to print larger. You need a ton of printed book copies, and you need them fast.
Weve laid out some quick advantages and applications to help you make an educated decision for your print project. This technique skips the proofs, plates and rubber bed and applies a design directly to the printing surface, either with liquid. Digital printing came on the scene in the 1990s, and for the first time, it gave users a way to produce highquality, customized prints right from their computers. He or she should also be able to meet with you and explain the printing and finishing processes used to. A few minutes spent with your printer at the beginning will.
When you move beyond the limits of a xerox or home laser printer, the printing process becomes quite complicated. Our 52di 4color digital offset press is among the most efficient, productive and profitable printing systems on the market. In this post, well cover the differences between the two printing techniques and show what their benefits and drawbacks look like. They have the latest technology available to make your book a success, from. Also, bob stokes of abbott printing share information about the current. Digital printers print and assemble your book all in one place. Digital vs offset our board book factory offers digital and offset printing. Digital and offset printing press comparison youtube. In the past, offset printing was the clear and natural choice when you needed a print job. Digital printing is a modern printing method where a digital image is sent directly to the printer using digital files such as pdfs or graphics from software such as illustrator and indesign. This continues to be a common question, and with good reason. This increase in size occasionally allows for some kinds printing that isnt possible on smaller sheets.
May 27, 2014 so againthe volume of printing is a key difference between offset printing versus digital printing. Gorham printing is a pacific northwest book printer specializing in digital book printing, design and ebooks. Oct 06, 2009 christian and christine talk about digital and offset printing, and discuss some advantages and disadvantages of each. In general, offset printing is regarded as being of higher quality. Digital printers can print with rgb inks, whereas offset book printing prints with a. It can be difficult when tackling a large printing project to determine if offset printing or digital printing is more cost effective. Digital printing is the quickest way to produce short runs, especially when there are a many originals. Both differ in technique and methodology and have advantages depending on the materials and quantities printed, and the size of the print media being utilized. Excellent rates on hardcover books, and they also have a digital book factory for short runs under 1,000 with offset covers. Print on demand vs offset printing for indie books author media. Very short runs can be much more cost effective with digital printing.
Hemlock printers continues to be recognized for excellence in book printing at the various international printing industry award competitions. Oct 26, 2018 you can do this using a printondemand distributor like kdp print for amazon, ingramspark, or blurb. Pms, or pantone matching system, is a color system with standardized ink colors used in offset printing. Digital vs offset printing choose the right printing method. Our usa board book factory offers two printing methods that include digital and offset printing. Offset printing has a different printing method, offering higher quality ink for both color and blackandwhite interiors. Every time someone orders your book, the order is sent to the printer. Both digital and offset printing differ in their technique and application and have advantages depending on the materials, size and quantities of your print run.
Sep 09, 2016 if a book is highly visual and includes drawings or photographs, the offset process will offer a better reproduction. Instead, you will have to decide anew every time which printing method is better suited for what you are trying to achieve. To someone untrained, there may not be much difference in the image quality of copies of a single design made in offset and digital prints. With offset, large quantities of books are printed in. Choosing between offset printing and digital printing for your smaller print jobs. There are a few other differences that show up when print customers are shopping around for printing services. In some cases your printer may also have production notes on the jobs, such as what paper stock was used. Since printing plates are not required and in most cases the device used requires less investment that an offset press, digital printing has some advantages and brings some exciting new options for the print buyer. As a nonprofit marketing professional, your marketing budgets will often dictate your choice of printing process, so its important to know in advance what you can expect from digital printing vs offset printing and advise your designer accordingly. When each piece needs a unique code, name or address, digital is the only way to go.
Sep 04, 2012 the pros and cons of digital and offset printing. In other words, your printer can purchase the exact color of your choosing to ensure an accurate color match to meet branding requirements, in addition to the standard cmyk 4color process. Gallagher, however, is quick to point out how far digital printing technology has come in recent years. Your print buyers need their jobs printed fast, they need it produced at a low cost, and they need consistently high print quality. But as quantities increase, the unit cost goes down with offset printing. The differences between digital and offset printing are quality, quantity, and printing costs. It can also offer a wider range of book spec options, from spot finishes, to foldout pages, to. Of course, while offset printing is the most affordable option for large print runs, digital printing is a viable option for small orders of less than 500 books. Offset vs digitalwhich is a better fit for your book printing project.
8 1543 1134 624 6 503 565 487 1087 294 607 1058 1097 621 1530 580 1222 197 618 181 864 982 165 574 1135 709 400 667 972 288 1197 1284 1456 484 1332 773 760 345 1440 740