Offset V Digital

Offset:
-High quantities, 750+
-Pantone® (PMS) or CMYK
-Turnaround not needed quickly
-Prints higher quantities at much less cost
-Higher image quality, higher resolution and no streaks/spots
-Consistency - Prints can vary from run to run
-Better options of printing larger sheets as long as you are doing more than a few of any item
-No Variable Text
-Must dry or be coated before handling
-Can use special inks
-Works on a wide range of printing surfaces including thick paper, wood, cloth, metal, leather, rough paper and plastic
-If you need hard copy proofs, very accurate color proofing can become expensive
 
 
Digital:
-Low quantities (short runs) less than 750
-CMYK
-Turnaround - Need it quickly, short turnaround
-Prints lower quantities at much less cost
-High image quality not a factor
-Consistency - Every print is the same. More accurate counts, less waste and fewer variations, due to not having to balance ink and water during press run.
-Most digital presses only print up to a 14×20 sheet although 12 x18 is the most common sheet size
-Can print variable text or images where each sheet off the press is unique in some personalized way (database driven, e.g. mailing lists, marketing materials, direct mail pieces, letters, etc. with a different name/address or number/code on each printed piece)
-Once a sheet is off a digital press it can be cut, folded or finished very quickly
-No special inks (metallics, overglosses, fluorescents) since all colors will have to fall within a CMYK gamut
-Offers more accurate proofs, since what you see is an actual sample of the printed piece, printed using the exact process as the intended run