Digital printing is a technique of printing from an electronic image directly onto a non-porous substrate. It typically refers to high-volume, professional digital printing where several small-run projects from desktop printing and other digital printing media are printed via high-volume and/or ultra-high-speed laser and dye ink printers. Depending on the size and complexity of the project, printing can take several hours or even days depending on print preparation, printing speed, print head options, print head placement and quality of the final print product. Some companies utilize litho printers and offset printing in printing larger volume campaigns. The method is generally used in the production of business cards, printing custom designs, direct mail pieces, flyers and catalogs. Some companies utilize both digital printing and conventional printing to produce long run printing needs.
Most printing projects are completed by a print shop utilizing either offset or digital printing. A traditional print shop utilizes thermal printing and offset printing in their process of creating marketing materials such as business cards, brochures and manuals. The printing processes are generally separated based upon the nature of the project being produced. In the case of high volume printing, such as in a trade show, brochure or advertising campaign, an offset printer is utilized to produce the final print products. In this instance the final print quality would most likely be considered to be far superior to that of a digital printing shop. This is because digital printing machines are unable to reproduce the fine details that are required to properly highlight variable data printing.
High quality digital printing can be accomplished in a number of different ways depending on the final format and print media being used. The most popular digital printing methods include direct mail, direct email, fax, set printing and screen printing. Direct mail printing is the most efficient method of printing directly onto substrates such as wood veneer or substrates made from ceramic. Direct email printing offers the ability to print on multiple pieces of stock in a short amount of time with the ability to incorporate attachments and file names.
In the case of direct email, it is the ability to include a client list that allows for a quick follow-up response. When it comes to screen printing, it is the ability to print on single or double sided items. While digital printing vs. offset printing has a few pros and cons, both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. The quality of work produced using digital printing machines cannot be duplicated by offset printing. However, if a company needs a quick print of several items the cost of offset printing can be more than worth the small increase in cost.
In addition to the costs involved with producing the final product, another factor to consider is that the time involved in set up of an offset printing press can be much longer than the time needed for a digital printer. Digital printers are typically set up in a matter of hours. After a design is selected and an image is loaded into the computer, the operator simply enters numbers into the printing settings and the machine prints the required number of units required for the job. There are no tedious adjustments needed when printing on large runs.
The disadvantage of digital printing over offset printing includes the fact that there is no substitute for a quality screen printer. Because digital images are electronic files, mistakes often happen. If a mistake occurs the only recourse is to print a new copy of the necessary documents and re-run the job. Also, printing on solid substrates such as wood requires a specific type of toner which is not always available for use with many digital printers. For more details on digital printing in Carrollton visit https://www.northdallasprintingservices.com/.