Digital vs Litho
Two key factors distinguish Digital from Litho printing: the technique and apparatus. Digital printing shines when producing smaller quantities, while Litho printing is your go-to for larger runs. Both methods deliver exceptional colour and image clarity.
Digital printing
We utilise top-tier digital offset technology to achieve outstanding print quality. Digital printing is notably cost-effective for smaller runs due to its low setup costs.
For small runs, we tend to print your booklets on HP Indigos for offset digital printing and for larger runs of 1,000+ copies, we tend to use Heidelberg Speedmasters for offset litho printing.
Digital presses are known for their quicker turnaround times compared to litho presses.
Litho printing
Litho printing, also known as offset printing, is a traditional technique in the printing world.
In this process, your image is inked onto a metal plate, then transferred to a rubber blanket, and finally to the paper, delivering a crisp, clean print.
For these jobs, we utilise the Heidelberg Speedmaster, a massive printing press that dominates any room it's placed in. It boasts the capability to churn out up to 12,500 sheets an hour, making it a speed demon compared to digital presses for bulk orders.
Setting up a litho press does involve a bit more work, especially with getting the metal plates ready. This initial effort contributes to a higher starting cost but becomes cost-effective for large-scale runs of thousands or even tens of thousands.
Many clients are drawn to the superior quality and finish that litho printing offers for large orders. However, if it is important to you that your large print job is printed digitally to maintain colour consistency, please contact our team for a bespoke quote.
Colour variance
Although both digital and litho printing use CMYK inks, the colours they produce can vary a bit due to their distinct production methods.
Digital printers, which are essentially large-scale office printers, tend to produce colours that are quite vibrant and have a high contrast. On the other hand, litho printing involves applying wet ink to metal plates, which are then pressed onto paper to create the image.
Therefore, if you do a small test run using a digital press and then switch to a litho press for a larger batch, you'll notice some subtle differences in colour.
Litho printing might not always deliver the same vibrancy as digital printing, but it offers more uniformity across the print job and becomes more cost-effective for larger volumes. If necessary, we can manage substantial orders using a digital press too. Feel free to get in touch with our printing experts for a bespoke quote on large-scale digital printing.
