Why do I need to know the difference between digital & offset printing?

It could save you thousands of dollars!

We could talk jibberish and tell you about plates, blankets, linescreen, dot patterns, toner, and paper finishes, but we won't.

It's simple...

Offset Lithography

Sounds complicated, and it is. It's also the best way to get perfect color matching every time, and paper choices are unlimited. However, it takes the same setup time (and $$$) to run 20 copies as it does to run 20,000. Why? Professionals set up the press so the colors and coverage are just right, running sheet after sheet of paper through until the impression is perfect…sometimes taking up to an hour and hundreds of sheets, which creates a lot of waste to be recycled.

It's important to understand that once the press is rolling, all you're paying for is paper, ink and press time. Your cost per piece goes down the more you print.

Digital Printing

A glorified copy machine, with terrific quality, printing vibrant colors (greens, oranges, peacock blue) better than offset can. Only have 3 employees who need 100 business cards each? No need wasting hundreds of sheets to get your 100 finished cards; each print comes out the same as the first one.

Digital printing is very economical for small quantities of full-color printing, and for personalization with variable data. However, just like your finicky desktop printer, color won't be 100% accurate all the time — but it is very close, and can save you a whole bunch of money. In addition, for even ink coverage, paper choices are limited to those with a very smooth surface.

But when do I use which kind of printing???

That's where Studio66 steps in. We can help you determine — through your budget, quantities and target audience — which choice makes sense for your bottom line. Do you need 500 postcards? Or 3000 32-page annual reports? Is it a huge poster? Or a standard flier? We have creative ways of solving even the most unique marketing challenges.

Print Sample Comparison:

Glaze & Associates 5-page Brochure
Printed by Titanium Press
Digital printing: 4-color process
Paper: Corniche Velvet, 80 lb. cover
Bindery: oval die-cut and grommet
Quantity: 75
Click image to view larger

7-Piece Wedding Invitation Set
Printed by IPS Printers
Offset lithography: Pantone 651U and Cool Gray 6U
Paper: Nekoosa Feltweave, Carrara White, 65 lb. cover
Bindery: blind emboss on the pear shapes
Quantity: 200 each piece
Click image to view larger

Here's to a happy and successful 2007!