Printing vs. Press Printing
At Print&Bind, we use various digital printers. This automatically means we do not use traditional press printing. So what’s the difference between press printing and digital printing?
With press printing, every copy is exactly the same. This is because a printing press is typically used a fixed plate that continuously reproduces the same design.
With digital printing, however, it’s possible to adjust the content for each individual copy. This allows you to create (small) variations between items, such as a different title, date, image, or color. Quick and easy.
Color Usage
For the best color results in digital printing, the CMYK color system is used. Four colors (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) are combined to create the full color spectrum. Because the colors are mixed during the printing process, very small variations can occur between different batches.
With press printing, in addition to CMYK, the PMS color system can also be used. These are standardized colors developed by Pantone. The ink is pre-mixed to the exact desired shade before printing begins. This ensures the color is consistent everywhere in the world. However, PMS colors are mainly used when printing with a maximum of three colors.
Print Runs
To produce a job using press printing, printing plates must be created. Colors also need to be set up before production can begin. These preparations often involve significant costs, which makes the setup costs relatively high. That’s why press printing is mainly suitable for large print runs: the higher the volume, the lower the price per unit.
For digital printing, we don’t need additional materials or special setup processes. As a result, there are no high startup costs. Whether you need a small or large quantity printed, it’s no problem. That’s why you can order from just one copy with us!
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