A Review Of Printing Choices…offset, Variable Data And Continuous
When you are ready for high quality printing services, the first thing you’ll discover is there are several choices. Thanks to technology, advances in printing techniques have resulted in an array of printing techniques that can be adapted to your printing needs. This enables final products to meet standards you set while also making printing jobs cost efficient and adaptive.
Offset Printing
Offset printing has been around since the first days of printing, but that doesn’t mean it’s outdated. Offset printing is still one of the most commonly used printing technologies. The concept of offset printing has really not changed over hundreds of years though technology has improved the quality of printing and led to different options when it comes to the type of paper used.
Offset printing is used on jobs where there is no variable data requirement. In other words, if every page will be identical then offset printing works well. The image to be printed is transferred from an inked pre-set plate to a second cylinder. The second cylinder has a rubber blanket which then comes in contact with a third cylinder. The third cylinder then actually transfers the image to the paper or other material called substrate.
Offset printing uses ink for the image and the natural repulsion properties of oil and water to maintain non-printed areas. Offset printers can print single sheets or continuous rolls of paper or substrate. Printing is fast and economical though it takes larger quantities to pay less per page. It costs more to change cylinder images so cost savings are realized on the jobs which don’t require frequent adjustments.
Variable Data Printing
Variable data printing can be called on-demand printing. It is printing that can handle unique information on each form. For example, letters with different names and addresses or reports which contain an individual’s information. Variable data printing is also called personalised printing and custom printing among other names.
Variable data printing uses computerized digitizing coupled with data merging software to produce the printed material. Information is transferred from the computer directly to the paper. The process is fast in that the printing never has to slow down in order to accommodate the changing information.
The printing which accommodates variable data is often used to create marketing material which companies want to be customized. It is much more effective to send material which has the customer’s name or information instead of just doing a standardized mass mailing. Variable data printing produces high quality printing with vivid colours and sharp letters.
Continuous Printing
Continuous printing is similar to variable printing except that information does not change from page to page. The continuous printing uses digital images which are transferred to paper or substrate. This kind of digitized printing is particularly suitable for office forms, letterheads and direct-mail inserts.
The printing techniques used today are adaptive and can accommodate all of your printing needs no matter what they may be. From business cards to complex printing jobs requiring variable data, the printing processes make use of technology to create vivid and high quality materials. The digital image production creates also makes it possible to experience sharp and impeccable coloured images.
Fortunately, the days of blurred edges and print are long gone.
Colorcraft have a range of printing solutions to cater to your business objectives, whether it be high volume or small volume printing, stock management or print logistics. We have a brighter way of making it happen. For a free quote visit Digital Printing Services.
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