Digital printing and offset printing are two radically different varieties of commercial printing technology widely used by many commercial printing firms. However, both these types of printing technologies employ the same basic technologies. Digital printing utilizes computer based inkjet machinery. On the other hand, offset printing uses physical printing presses. Knowing the fundamental differences between digital printing and offset printing is crucial when outsourcing printing jobs to an outside provider. Digital printing employs computer-based technology very much like a laser printer.
Laser printers print by use of light emitting diodes or LEDs. An offset printing press usually makes use of mechanical pressure which is applied to the press in order to apply ink on paper. This physical process makes use of physical brushes in order to create the image. In addition, offset printing also employs more modern technologies such as digital cameras for retouching and film for sublimation.
For many printing companies, it is not cost effective to continue to print documents with inferior quality at the same high-quality print speed that they are accustomed to. Printing their documents at a higher print quality but at a reduced cost can help trim printing costs. Many printing companies are now offering high-volume outsourcing printing jobs at lower cost. They do this by acquiring in-house printers or purchasing digital printers from the market. Digital printers can also be utilized for many printing tasks because they can be easily configured for different printing tasks.
There are a number of advantages of employing offset printing and digital printing equipment in comparison with outsourcing printing jobs to an external provider. For one, offset printing machines are generally more durable than their digital counterparts. This is especially true when the job requires the use of complex color processes. Because offset printing equipment can be purchased and repaired more quickly, it can also be used several times before requiring a replacement. Furthermore, the fixed cost structure of offset printing enables the company to keep the fixed costs of the machines unchanged and consistent despite fluctuations in the demand for their products.
However, although the cost of the machines may be lower, the quality of print outs produced from outsourcing printers can also be much higher than that from an internal print shop. The main reason for this discrepancy is that an external printer has access to better and newer technology like dye sublimation which can produce prints with a higher resolution and greater color accuracy than the average laser printer can achieve. In addition, the materials used in the printing process are more advanced. It may have faster printing speeds and higher wage rates which are helpful when designing and developing marketing materials and other printed materials. On the other hand, an in-house printer may only be able to print documents of lower resolutions and color accuracy. Outsourcing to an outsourced print shop enables you to save on printing costs because you can get a good quality print out at a lower cost.
Another way in which outsourcing printing jobs helps your business is in the area of marketing and promotional campaigns. Print shops generally only deal with documents that are produced as part of the business. However, when it comes to marketing materials or other promotional items, many businesses invest in producing these materials themselves in order to have a professional look and feel. By outsourcing the job to an external printer, you can have your own company logo created, business cards created, letterhead produced, mailing list produced and more all for one price. All the professional design elements are already completed and all you need to do is create the actual print marketing materials using the most appropriate software.
A third advantage that outsourcing printing jobs provides is the ability to use high quality and durable wide format printers. Wide format printers are expensive and they do not always give the best results. On the other hand, a reputable printer can easily print on wide format printers and make your printed materials look professional and crisp. This will make your branding more noticeable and your customers will recognize your logo and brand far quicker. Outsourcing your printing needs will allow you to focus on the core of your business without having to worry about your products looking unprofessional.
There are a number of other advantages that outsourcing printing jobs can provide. You can focus on providing the highest quality work at the lowest price to your customers instead of having to make compromises with the final print job. You can also save money in advertising costs since you will not need to pay for expensive display advertisements. Lastly, by working with a reputable company, you will have excellent service and a high level of expertise.