The criteria for deciding whether a
job is more cost effective when
produced on a digital printer vs. an
offset press is changing as the
quality, cost and speed of digital
printers continue to improve. When
the University Copy Center first
started producing digital prints
years ago, job quality was marginal
and price limited the size of the
jobs to about 1,000 double-sided
sheets to be competitive with the
price of offset printing. As
technology improved in the last five
years, cost, speed and quality have
advanced to where we have increased
our job size to accommodate 4,000
double sided sheets and remain price
competitive with offset printing
rates.
The bottom line: Digital printing is
becoming cost effective and the
print quality when compared to
offset is negligible. In fact, on
the average production job, it�s
hard to tell which is which. The
only factor limiting digital
printing is the job size. If jobs
are less than a 4,000 print run,
digital printing is a quicker and
cost effective solution.
As printing technology evolves, the
offset presses will be necessary but
they will be used for larger jobs
that demand complexity and the
highest print quality. The question
boils down to your print need. What
will the final product be used for?
Looking for a quality full-color
brochure with a low print run�maybe
digital printing can cover this (and
you�ll save time and money). Need a
polished five color annual report
with a large print run? Perhaps then
offset may be your choice. Offset
printing may have its place, but the
future is bright with digital.
Fortunately, University Copy Center
offers both print options �
ultimately matching your need to the
best choice.
