The Difference between Digital and Offset Printing

Like most people out there, I used to let my local printer decide what the best means to complete my job were. I quickly found that this type of decision making was compared too bringing my car into the shop and letting the well-educated, experienced mechanics give me an assessment on the condition of my car. Usually this assessment is more beneficial for the mechanic then for your bank account - the same can be said about your local or international print companies.

The most basic knowledge you need to have when deciding on what type of print company you're going to utilize is simple - digital or offset. Both types of printing are very effective depending on the kind of printing you need, and instead of letting the print companies decide whats best for you - you decide whats best for you.

The older and more commonly used form of printing is offset printing. Offset printing was originally invented in 1875 and was used to print on the metal, tin. However, it wasn't until 1903 that Ira Washington Rubel created an offset printing press that could print on paper. Printing on paper with an offset press is a technique that is more than 100 years old and is still practiced today.

What are the benefits of using offset as a printing technique?

• Consistent High Quality Images
• Quick production with printing plates
• Plates can withstand more then 1 million impressions
• Cost

As indicated above - there are many advantages too printing using the offset printing technique. The most beneficial and the one that any person considering printing offset should be aware of is cost. Offset printing is the most affordable printing method to produce very high quality printing in commercial printing quantities. This simply means - its' only cost effective if you plan on printing quantities in the thousands. For smaller quantities of printing you may want to consider offset printings semi-equivalent - digital printing.

Digital printing is the newest printing technique that printing companies have adopted and almost all printing companies offer digital printing as an option, not all printing companies offer offset printing as an option. This should be noted.

What are the benefits of Digital Printing?

• Variable Data Printing
• Less chemical and paper waste
• UV and fuser fluid
• Quick turnaround time

The most beneficial role that Digital Printing plays as a printing technique is its variable data printing. Variable data printing is one of marketing's best kept secrets and one that anyone that uses paper as a form of marketing should know about. With variable data marketing you could, if you so chose, print items targeted at specific marketing demographics, companies, or people. Which unlike offset printing is the future of paper print marketing.

When discussing and deciding what kind of printing is best for the job that you need done, it's best you use this practice.

If you need a lot of materials printed, you're not in a hurry, and want it all too look the same than choose offset printing as your method.

If you need a small or medium amount of printing done, and done quickly, with different pieces of information for each of your materials than choose digital printing as your method.

Both digital and offset printing are extremely beneficial in their own ways, and by being educated on these two popular forms of printing you will be able to determine what the best method for you is in the long run.

Both saving you time, and money.

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Author Information:

Jordan Greve is a marketer for one of the biggest printing companies in NYC. He does the marketing and advertising for 1800 Postcards which is the largest commercial printer of full color postcards, business cards, and more.
  
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Paper and Print Marketing is still effective

A lot of people look at the world we live in and they only see graphics, and pixels. It's no one's fault really because this is certainly the kind of world we all live in. It is, however, the fault of promoters and media that we only look at marketing opportunities online. There are so many opportunities out there for people to promote their business', products or anything through the means of paper and print marketing.

People look at paper and they give it a scarlet letter. They assume it's going to destroy the world, and not help anyone but tree hating folk' - and we all know how tree hatin' folk act. This couldn't be further from the truth.

Everyone in business today still needs and relies on paper and print marketing in one way or another. People like tangible things, they like to be able to grab and touch the things they are purchasing. It is very important to print business cards and to distribute them, instead of just providing your blackberry pin.

There are multiples of companies that provide direct mail marketing which is a great way to gain exposure for your company. This form of marketing has been used over the years, and continues to be used by some of the biggest companies in the world today. It's not all emails, and newsletters. Marketing requires variety, and some of that will come in the form of something tangible - paper and print marketing for example.

Take full advantage of a direct mail marketing service. They will send out your promotional materials (postcards) to anyone you desire, or they think will desire your products. They do all of the work. They print off the materials for you, they address them, they find out desirable places to send them.

This kind of service can't be done digitally. This is the kind of marketing that is done through print and paper. This is a very important form of marketing, and one that should not be overlooked.

Lean more about direct mail marketing services and start using this archaic way of promotion today.