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Home FAQ Paper & Printing What is the difference between offset printing and digital printing of a book?
What is the difference between offset printing and digital printing of a book? Print E-mail
Traditionally books are printed in sheet-fed offset, i.e. large sheets of approximately 70 x 120 cm are led through printing presses in a single pass, printing both front and rear. Sheets are then folded after drying, in sections 16 or 32 pages. Several of these sections are then joined together at the spine using thread, making it a sewn paper-bound book. The book block is now joined with a separate printed cover, then cut on 3 edges.
  • This technique makes use of plates, which causes a minimum printing amount to start at about 150 copies.
  • The printing on sheets of paper with real ink is a chemical process. As a result, offset printed books have a very long life, hundreds of years.
  • The start-up costs are higher, so the minimal amount is approximately 150 copies.
  • Above 150 copies, the price per copy is actually very cheap.
  • Resolution (quality) of images is much higher than in digital printing.
  • All sorts of paper can be used.
  • Every possible finish is possible.
  • Delivery time is slightly longer than in digital print, because plates must be made first and the sections have to be folded after printing.
With digital printing an electronic page image is built, which will be fixed onto the page with toner through the addition of heat.
  • Because the digital page image is constructed without any mechanical form, amount starting at 50 copies are possible.
  • Because the pages are printed per piece, only a glued finish is possible.
  • The first copy is as expensive as copy 150 or 500. Therefore it is only usable for small amounts up to about 150 copies.
  • Pages are printed with toner (= physical process) so that not all papersorts are available.
  • Maximum resolution is limited to 600 dpi, which makes images appear less appealing.
  • Delivery time is usually shorter than sheet-fed offset printing. Delivery of 1 to 2 weeks are achievable.
  • Life of the book is for several reasons much shorter than in offset print.
  • 1. Toner is fixed by heat on the page. By adding heat again, this process is reversible (eg photocopies of the pile that over long(er) time to stick together)
    2. Glued finish will cause the pages to come apart easier over time than the sewn version.


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