Traditional Offset Printing Presses

To understand the digital press difference, you must understand how a traditional offset press works. Offset printing is utilized for most mass-market printing jobs, like newspapers, magazines, catalogs and books. To quickly and efficiently produce identical prints, a physical plate is created—this flexible plate bears the image that is going to be printed. It is loaded into a large machine, like a web-fed or sheet-fed printing press, where it is coated in ink. This is the first step in a multi-step transferring process that eventually transfers the ink onto the page with a roller. A single printing press like this can put out thousands of prints in a matter of hours.

Digital Printing: Plate-Free

Unlike the large offset printing presses that can weigh hundreds of thousands of pounds, the most rudimentary digital press could sit right on your computer desk. Digital printing is the same basic technology as the inkjet or laser printer you use at home or in the office. You send your digital file to the printer, and instead of having to take the time and effort to create a physical press, the printer prints the image by applying ink or toner directly to the page.

There is a tradeoff here in regards to speed and cost, so digital presses are typically used for different applications than larger presses. Because digital printers don't need plates, you can save time and money on smaller print jobs. For larger jobs, though, the digital printing process is more expensive and much slower than offset printing.

Common Digital Press Advantages

Digital printing presses are the industry go-to for on-demand printing, meaning you can print what you want, when you want, and as many copies as you want. This makes it ideal for things like photographs, small business marketing collateral and one-to-one printing. Since presses come in a variety of sizes, they are also useful for printing large-format jobs, like posters and banners. It is also a popular choice with artists, who are able to sell prints as they are needed rather than ordering large shipments. Photographers also find it useful, as they are able to experiment with photo retouching before committing to a large print run.

If you're interested in learning more about the differences between Digital Press and offset printing, contact a new and used printing press dealer for more information. Visit www.graphicinnovators.com.

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