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Offset Printing or Screen Printing: Determining what is best for you
When it comes to your business’ printing needs, only you can determine
which process fits your budget. Will it be offset printing or screen
printing? First, you need to become familiar with the technical
differences between the two as well as how cost effective each one will
be.
Offset printing is a more involved process of printing. The image or
picture to be duplicated is burned onto a printing plate which is then
inked and the image is transferred to the surface or material to be
printed on. If you have an order placed for fewer than 5,000 units,
then this method of printing will not be as cost effective for you or
your business. Offset printing can be expensive and the process takes
longer, therefore, if you need a printing job done quickly or, by a
certain due date, either put your order in early or use another method.
Offset printing can provide you with more accuracy when it comes to
using percentages of color than other methods. If you have an old
photograph that you would like printed, offset printing will give you a
better image quality. Offset printing is used typically for large print
jobs done on paper. Also, the image quality is more consistent when you
use this method of printing on surfaces like CDs and CD cases.
The screen printing method is a much more cost effective method for
smaller print jobs. Screen printing is also easier to set up and is a
more efficient process that can be done quickly. If you have a tight
budget and a tight schedule, then screen printing will probably be the
method of choice for you. Screen printing provides a faster alternative
then offset printing.
If you are a small business looking to print a small quantity of
material and your business uses custom colors, the screen printing
method will be especially pleasing for you because color matching is
available. Screen printing can also produce metallic and fluorescent
colors. If your business has a proprietary color, screen printing will
more than likely be able to replicate it.
To determine which method is best for you, evaluate your printing needs
in advance and have your material or images in ready to copy format,
even if you have to have your images professionally prepared. Also, you
may want to include the cost of printing into your business budget
ahead of time so that you know what you are working with and how much
you have to spend on a print job. By being prepared ahead of time and
making the most cost effective decisions for your business’ printing
needs, you will not only save time but also money.
There are several major differences between offset printing and screen
printing. Each method has its specialty in printing and it depends on
what your needs are as a business. Deciding which method is best is
also a personal choice, so address these needs as well. In the end only
you can determine what is best for you and your business’ needs.
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