• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Printing for Less

Printing for Less

Satisfaction Guarantee

At Printing for Less, we've offered high quality online printing services since 1996. Shop business cards, booklets, stickers, and more!

800-930-2423
Get A Quote
  • Products
    • Announcements
    • Banners
    • Booklets
    • Booklet Envelopes
    • Bookmarks
    • Branded Box Printing
    • Brochure Holders
    • Brochures
    • Buck Slips
    • Business Cards
    • Calendar Printing
    • Campaign Printing
    • Carbonless Forms
    • Catalogs
    • CD Covers
    • Club Cards
    • Coil Bound Booklets
    • Custom Printing
    • Digital Printing
    • Door Hangers
    • EDDM Postcards
    • Envelopes
    • File Folders
    • Flyers
    • Folded Business Cards
    • Folders
    • Forms
    • Greeting Cards
    • Hang Tags
    • Holiday Cards
    • Invitations
    • Labels
    • Large Envelopes
    • Large Format
    • Large Posters
    • Letterhead/Envelope
    • Magnets
    • Mailer Printing
    • Mailing Envelopes
    • Mailing Services
    • Memo Pads
    • Menus
    • NCR Forms
    • Newsletters
    • Note Cards
    • Notepads
    • Offering Envelopes
    • Packaging
    • Plastic Cards
    • Pocket Folders
    • Postcards
    • Posters
    • Post-it® Notes
    • Presentation Folders
    • Rack Cards
    • Recieipt Books
    • Remittance Envelopes
    • Sell Sheets
    • Signs
    • Statement Stuffers
    • Stationery
    • Stickers
    • Table Tents
    • Tickets
    • Variable Data Printing
    • Vinyl Banners
    • Yard Signs
  • Industries
    • Advertising & Design
    • Real Estate
    • Medical
    • Food & Beverage
    • Non-Profit
    • University
    • Technology
    • Enterprise
  • Services
    • Reseller Program
    • Fulfillment
    • Digital Printing
    • Mailing Services
    • Custom Solutions
    • Design Services
    • Hybrid Experience Platform
  • Resources
    • Marketing & Design Tips
    • Templates
    • Blog
    • Help & FAQs
    • Printing Terms & Glossary
    • Video Library
  • Get Samples
  • My Login
  • Contact
  • About
    • Why Printing for Less?
    • Our Team
    • Sustainable Practices

Digital Printing vs Offset Printing Explained

What’s the REAL difference, and does it matter?

So, what’s the distinction between digital and offset printing? Printing is printing, right? Not exactly… Let’s take a look at these two printing methods, their differences, and where it makes sense to choose one or the other for your next print project.


What is Offset Printing?

Offset printing technology uses plates, usually made from aluminum, which are used to transfer an image onto a rubber “blanket”, and then rolling that image onto a sheet of paper. It’s called offset because the ink is not transferred directly onto the paper. Because offset presses run so efficiently once they are set up, offset printing is the best choice when larger quantities are needed, and provides accurate color reproduction, and crisp, clean professional looking printing.

What is Digital Printing?

Digital printing doesn’t use plates the way offset does, but instead uses options such as toner (like in laser printers) or larger printers that do use liquid ink. Digital printing shines when lower quantities are needed; think of a run of 20 greeting cards or 100 flyers. Another benefit of digital printing is it’s variable data capability. When each piece needs a unique code, name or address, digital is the only way to go. Offset printing cannot accommodate this need. Learn more about digital printing options and capabilities.

While offset printing is a fantastic way to produce great-looking print projects, many businesses or individuals do not need large runs of 500 or more, and the best solution is digital printing.

What are the Advantages of Digital Printing:

  • Setup costs are lower for short runs
  • Print only the amount you need, when you need it
  • Lower minimum quantities (as low as 1, 20 or 50 pieces)
  • Inexpensive black and white digital printing
  • Variable data capability (names, addresses, codes or numbering can be done easily)
  • Improved technology has made digital quality acceptable for more uses

What are the Advantages of Offset Printing:

  • Large quantities can be printed cost effectively
  • The more you print, the cheaper the price per piece
  • A large variety of paper types with custom finishes can be used
  • Special custom inks such as metallic and Pantone colors are available
  • Highest possible printing quality, with greater detail and color fidelity
Is Digital Printing the right fit for my next print project?

Offset and digital are both useful printing methods. Each have particular benefits depending on your project’s requirements. When you need larger runs of a project, into the hundreds or thousands, or are using a specific, brand-centric Pantone color, offset printing is the only way to go. You can also use a much wider variety of custom papers and specialty inks, such as metallic or fluorescent inks in the offset process.

If a small run of less than 100 or the need for individual addresses or information is required, digital is your solution. The best part is that as a business, your needs can be met with either of these choices, and the high-level of quality means you get a printed product that will make you look great!

Digital Press
Digital Press

Offset Press
Offset Press

 

To get started on your next digital printing project, talk to a helpful expert now a 800-930-6040.

RELATED MARKETING & DESIGN TIPS

Soft Touch Coating for Printing

Check out the advantages and benefits of UV coating.Soft Touch Coating creates a velvety texture that increases the tactile appeal of printed materials such as brochures, postcards and business cards

Read More >


The Advantages of Self-Mailers in Direct Mail Campaigns

Learn about self-mailers as an effective but often overlooked element of a successful multi-channel marketing campaign.

Read More >


Innovative Print Marketing Design Ideas

Examples of innovative ideas to enhance your print marketing with numerous custom printing options

Read More >


Custom Printing with Metallic Ink

What you need to know to use metallic inks in your custom printing to make your printed pieces stand out

Read More >


Ordering Process

Read More >


Printing Terms & Glossary

A glossary of terms used in the graphic design and commercial printing industry from Printing for Less. Learn the definitions of important printing terms! of collate printing, ream, and more.

Read More >


Catalog and Booklet Printing Specifications and Formats

Read More >


Bumper Stickers Printing

Bumper stickers are not just for bumpers anymore! Printing for Less offers custom bumper sticker printing available on all-weather vinyl & more!

Read More >


Color in Process Printing

Choosing between CMYK or RBG for print? Learn which you should use for printing and how the color quality of printed materials are affected by RBG and CMYK.

Read More >


Personalized Coasters

Get custom personalized coasters for a practical way to share your branding or event. Lots of custom options, quick turnaround and great pricing

Read More >


Grow Your Small Business with Direct Mail

Think you don’t need mail if you market digitally? Direct mail now outperforms digital marketing by a staggering 600%.

Read More >


Bottle Necker Design

Get custom Bottle Neckers, neck tags and bottle neck hangers, popular for wine bottle tags and marketing anything sold in bottles.

Read More >


Pantone Colors in Printing

Color creates the first impression of any print. Even the lack of color can be a bold statement. Because of that, you should put thought into how you want colors to impact your brand through print.

Read More >


Box Toppers Printing

Box toppers are a great way to share coupons, information, and new menu items with your customers. Print custom box toppers with Printing for Less.

Read More >


Catalog Binding Options

Learn which catalog binding options work best for different types of catalogs, booklets and manuals based on page count, use cases and other factors

Read More >


Specialty Printing Options

Trust the experts at Printing for Less with your specialty print. We offer a wide array of specialty printing options & services. Learn more.

Read More >


Using Embossing on Postcards

Get custom embossing on your postcards to turn them from ordinary to exceptional and significantly increase their impact and success

Read More >


Offset Printing FAQs

Learn how offset printing or offset lithography works, the most common commercial printing method in use today

Read More >


Liquid Laminate

Liquid laminate is a great way to add durability & visual impact to paper & digital prints. We created a guide on how to effectively use liquid laminate.

Read More >


Door Hanger Marketing and Door Hanger Design

Printed samples of door hangers showing different designs and uses for targeted local door to door personalized marketing

Read More >


Graphic Design Help
Marketing & Design Tips

Guides
Jumping into the world of printing? We’ve put together these handy resources to help you get your footing.

Explore >

Templates
Templates

Templates
Pre-made templates are a great way to springboard your creativity and make sure everything is laid out exactly the way you need it. Utilize one of our printing templates and speed up the printing process even more.

Explore >

Printing for Less services the technology industry.
Blog Articles

Blog Articles
We’ve compiled a list of our best blog posts to help you dive into custom printing

Explore >

Footer

Printing for Less

info@printingforless.com
100 P F L Way, Livingston, MT 59047

800-924-2041

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Products
  • Industries
  • Services
  • Get Samples
  • Resources
  • Guides
  • Templates
  • Blog
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Contact
  • About
  • Why Printing for Less?
  • Our Team
  • Careers
  • Login

Copyright © 1998-2023 PrintingforLess.com. All Rights Reserved.

logo
  • 866-501-7488
  • Products
  • Industries
  • Services
  • Resources
  • Get Samples
  • Get a Quote
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • My Login