What is digital printing?
Digital printing is the process of printing digital-based images directly onto a variety of media substrates. There is no need for a printing plate, unlike with offset printing. Digital files such as PDFs or desktop publishing files can be sent directly to the digital printing press to print on paper, photo paper, canvas, fabric, synthetics, cardstock and other substrates.
Digital printing vs. Offset printing
Digital printing differs from traditional, analog printing methods – such as offset printing – because digital printing machines do not require printing plates. Instead of using metal plates to transfer an image, digital printing presses print the image directly onto the media substrate.
Digital production print technology is evolving quickly, and digital printing output quality is improving continuously. These advancements are delivering print quality that mimics offset. Digital printing enables additional advantages, including:
Personalized, variable data printing (VDP)
Print-on-demand
Cost-effective short runs
Fast turnarounds
Digital printing vs. screen printing.
Digital printers print an image directly onto the desired surface. Screen printing is a more manual process where ink must be applied to a mesh screen that is then pressed onto the media substrate. Digital printing is faster and capable of more detail, two reasons it’s often used to print packaging, direct marketing flyers, and books or magazines.
Digital printing technology.
Most digital printing presses have historically used toner-based technology and as that technology quickly evolved, the print quality rivalled that of offset presses.
See the Printinz range of digital printing services.
