Commercial digital printing refers to the printing of digital images onto media for commercial purposes, whether for pamphlets, brochures, menus, or the like. With all of the options available for commercial printing, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Unlike options like offset printing that use printing plates, digital printers print an image directly onto the chosen material. This easier method requires less production set-up, leading to quicker turnaround times and a lower overall cost. In past years, digital printing has had a reputation for having dull colors and low image quality, however, with recent advancements in quality and technology it is quickly becoming the best and most cost-effective option.

What Is Commercial Digital Printing?

Variable Digital Printing

In addition to its improved quality, there are a few benefits to digital printing that its competitors can’t do. One of these benefits is the ability to personalize each printed piece. Variable data printing (VDP) is possible with digital printing, which allows the technician to change the output of a digital printer so that each individual print can be personalized with unique information. This information can come from a spreadsheet or database that is uploaded to the software.

Print on Demand

Another benefit digital printing has over other methods is its ability to be printed on demand. Printing companies can save a company’s image and print it regularly on a scheduled or as-needed basis. This is important for jobs that have regular printing needs, such as T-shirts, merchandise, or rotating restaurant menus. If you have an image you plan on using frequently, or on a wide range of different media, digital printing is the option for you.

How Digital Printing Compares to Competitors

Offset Printing

Offset printing is the main competitor when it comes to digital printing. It uses printing plates and wet ink to create a finished product. This technique gives the printer a high degree of control over the color, which improves the quality of the image by sharpening it and making it more vibrant. As previously mentioned, this method requires a great deal of setup and therefore is more costly than digital printing. There is also no option of VDP or printing on-demand with offset printing.

LED UV

LED UV is considered the highest quality in commercial printing, and the cost reflects this. Once printed, the ink dries instantly, meaning very little ink has the chance to absorb into the media being printed on. Ultra-violet (UV) light is used for curing so no sealants are required. LED UV printing is also the most eco-friendly option since light is used to dry the ink instead of heat. This method is generally used for the advertisement of high-end and luxury products.

Conclusion

The efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and quick turnaround time associated with digital printing make it a top contender for commercial printing needs. The availability of endless personalization and customization options offers the versatility that most businesses are looking for, and the ongoing technological advancements and quality improvements make digital printing a great option for the everyday commercial printing needs of a business.

In order to understand how to define an effective solution to your printing needs, you need to be familiar with the benefits and limitations of the various different printing methods. We’ve rounded up just a few to give you an idea of the wide range of options available for your next project.

Effective Solutions to Your Printing Needs

Offset Lithography

With offset printing, the media surface can be rough or smooth, making it a versatile option. The wet ink allows the technician a great deal of control over the colors, leading to a high-quality image every time. The downside of offset printing is that the intensive process of production and set-up drives up the cost.

Flexography

Flexography, also called ‘flexo,’ uses flexible plates and semi-liquid ink to print on a wide range of media, including cellophane, films, and oil. This method is most commonly used for labels and packing, but is also popular for projects that use continuous, repeating patterns (think wrapping paper and wallpaper). The fast-drying ink allows for a quick turnaround time, making flexo printing a great and cost-effective option for high-volume jobs.

Digital Printing

Digital printing foregoes the use of plates, instead of printing directly from a digital image onto the chosen media. In its infancy, digital printing’s quality was questionable, however recent technological advancements have digital printing leading the pack in quality and cost-effectiveness.

Screen Printing

Mainly used for printing on fabric and the like, screen printing uses mesh to transfer an image onto media like T-shirts, sweatshirts, and cloth banners. Only one color is transferred onto the media at a time, so several screens are needed for multi-colored images. This makes set-up quite a process, so if you only need a few items printed screen printing is not for you. For bulk orders, however, it is one of the most cost-effective options on the market.

How Impact Printing Defines Your Solution

Whether they realize it or not, most successful businesses think through the following basic questions to reach efficient solutions for their needs and problems. We apply these questions in a similar manner to define an effective solution to your printing needs:

Who is your client, and how do we render their brand?

Familiarity with your client and the brand they’re looking to project is essential to help us guide you towards the best printing option for your needs.

What is this product’s function, and how long will it be in the market?

Different printing methods have different capabilities, and an understanding of current and future plans for the product is useful in determining the best solution for you and your client.

When do you need it completed, and how do you want it delivered?

Some printing methods have a faster turnaround than others, so knowing the deadline or expected timeframe for delivery is key.

Where does this ship, and with how many different delivery variables?

If there are delivery variables included in your order, we’ll determine the best printing method to suit your needs.

Why is Impact Printing the best fit for meeting these expectations?

After discussing your project with one of our knowledgeable and experienced staff members, we feel confident you’ll know you, your clients, and your printing projects are in the most capable hands.