How to Choose Between Digital and Offset Printing for Packaging

For most businesses, choosing between digital printing and offset printing for their products is often a difficult decision. Both printing methods have their advantages and disadvantages, and both can be successful in specific areas. However, offset printing and digital printing have drastically different environmental impacts and carbon footprints. No matter how much you desire eye-catching and brand-clear products and packaging, the printing process must be carefully considered. Technological advancements have greatly improved printing methods. Therefore, among the many types of printing technologies, you can choose the appropriate process based on your budget, print volume, and quality requirements.

What is digital printing?

Digital printing uses technologies such as inkjet or laser to convert digital files into a printable bitmap format, then directly transfers ink or toner onto the printing substrate. It eliminates the cumbersome plate-making process of traditional printing. Its main features include single-sheet printing, no plate-making required, instant turnaround, timely error correction, variable data printing, and on-demand printing. This technology is suitable for small quantity, personalized printing and fast delivery scenarios.

Fast Turnarounds

Traditional printing requires more time for preparation because each image and color needs to be printed on a separate plate. Digital printing, on the other hand, only requires a few clicks of the mouse to change the electronic image and start the printing press. Therefore, when you don’t want to risk large-volume printing to ensure the final product doesn’t meet your expectations, digital printing is the ideal choice for testing new packaging and sizes.

Customization and Personalized

Digital printing simplifies variable data printing. You can leverage digital printing technology to create bespoke or customized packaging for short-term promotions. Different information can be included in the same batch of prints, making it ideal for personalization. Printing can also be done on demand, avoiding the need for bulk printing. Furthermore, the substrate can vary, not limited to paper, and can be printed on a variety of materials such as cards, canvas, fabrics, and plastic films.

Low and Medium Volume

Digital printing can be profitable without a minimum order quantity, while traditional printing requires large-volume printing to achieve cost-effectiveness. This is ideal for occasional marketing campaigns and other occasions with typically small print runs.

What is offset printing?

Offset printing involves first transferring ink from the printing plate to a blanket, and then the blanket transfers the image to the substrate. This indirect ink transfer method is called offset printing. Offset printing technology utilizes the principle of ink-water repulsion, enabling high-quality, high-precision printing, and is suitable for high-volume printing of books, brochures, packaging, and other similar products.

Large Print Quantity

Offset printing has higher upfront costs due to the need for plate making and pre-production work, but it is cost-effective for large-volume printing. However, it’s important to note that this is suitable not only for mass production but also for printed materials with identical graphics. Because it’s suitable for large-volume printing, even with higher upfront costs, the overall cost will decrease due to the larger print run.

Brilliant Quality

Offset printing technology ensures that every printed product delivers vibrant, accurate colors and high-quality images, guaranteeing sharp, clear fonts and fully showcasing graphic details. Therefore, if your packaging contains complex images or visual designs, offset printing is an excellent choice. Offset printing is highly adaptable; it can print on both smooth and rough paper, and it can be used on a variety of materials, such as fabrics and metals.

How to choose quickly?

• If you only need a small amount of printed materials, choose digital printing.
• If you need to get printed materials quickly, choose digital printing.
• If you need a small quantity and have a limited budget, choose digital printing.
• If you need multiple types of printed content and each type is produced in small quantities, choose digital printing.
• If the printing volume is large, choose offset printing.
• If you need repeat orders in the long term, choose offset printing.
• If you have high requirements for color reproduction, choose offset printing.
• If you require luxurious packaging, choose offset printing.