Digital Printing + Short Run Process
Digital printing has become more and more popular as it provides a perfect balance of cost-effective and quality. Digital Printing is now available for short runs, which is another huge benefit to the printing industry. Short run printing is perfect for anyone looking to print small batches of items.
We will discuss what digital color printing can offer you and how you can get started!
##What Is Digital Printing?##
Printing with digital presses requires one less step than traditional offset lithography, which makes it faster. Image files are scanned by a computer at speeds up to 300 million dots per second, then printed on the sheet of paper one sheet at a time or in groups of sheets (called signatures).
There is a large range of digital presses to choose from, and these capable machines can print on many different substrates. Digital printing has become more popular for short run applications because it still offers crisp results, even with smaller quantities. It is also an environmentally conscious option because it uses less water and energy than offset printing.
##What Are the Benefits of Short-Run Digital Printing?##
The main benefits of short-run digital printing are its flexibility and cost-effectiveness. You can order from one to thousands of prints at a time while maintaining the same consistent quality.
Digital printing has become a popular option for short-run printing because the price of this service is relatively low compared to other types of printing. Some run-on-demand print services are just starting to offer digital print options for short runs, making it more affordable for businesses on a budget.
##What Are the Drawbacks?##
Some printed items don't hold up quite as well as others. It's important to keep in mind if a product will be handled often or if you're printing on glossy paper, there may be some smudging or minor color distortion over time.
Other drawbacks to digital printing include:
the inability to take a photo of the artwork, which can be useful in customizing products after they are printed.
the inability to add metallic materials or stains like ink (which is often an important feature for some applications).
the ability to use a slight amount of ink if needed. If you use too much, it could cause smudging or other issues. It's important to order enough prints for your product, so you know what it looks like when it's full.
##How Can You Work with Print-On-Demand Companies?##
POD companies help small businesses and individuals create products, such as business cards and brochures, without the need for a large upfront investment. It is a great option for companies who want to test out the market before committing to purchasing a full print run of any sort.
If your company is looking for something to print on demand, you can go directly through the printing company or you can use a printing service like Vistaprint or Overnight Prints. They offer tons of customizable products and will produce them in quantities as low as one. The cost is usually based on the number of pages you need printed, rather than by product.
If you need to go through a print-on-demand company, you can order any kind of product with the trendiest materials. The options may be limited, but with a little flexibility, you can afford to choose from many different designs and colors.
##How Much Does it Cost?##
The price for short-run digital printing depends on how many pages need to be printed and how long the run is. It is usually priced per page, but it is a good idea to order enough so that the product completes in time. The more pages, the more costly your project becomes. Short run digital printing has become more popular because of its ease and low cost compared to offset lithography or screen printing.
##How Do You Get Started with Short Run Printing?##
You can get started with short run printing by contacting a local, quality print service. You can also talk to a business services manager at a visual communications firm like Overnight Prints to learn more about digital printing options that are right for you.
Every short-run digital printing project is unique, so it's important to speak with someone who has experience in making small-run printed items. The first step is to get some samples printed and see what they look like when they're completed. This helps you choose the right products for your needs and ensures that your order will come out correctly.
When you're ready to place an order, you'll need to decide how many prints you need and what type of paper and size you want it printed on. Most short-run digital printing projects are completed in a few days and delivered directly to your business.
Receiving your finished products is so exciting! Make sure you check out the photos below to see some of the great little printed items that have been created using this process!
##Examples of Short Run Digital Printing##
These colorful brochures and business cards were printed on demand by a POD company. They're printed on a variety of paper for different needs and sizes.
Digital color printing is great for small batches of items that are customized and need to be printed quickly. The presentation on the left was made by a graphic design company. It features a custom pendant necklace, each with its own little message, including the company's logo, name, and information. The card on the right was sent to customers when they placed an order or to anyone who wanted it as a gift. It's also made without watermarking so that customers can pass it along without worrying about their name being shown.
These business cards were ordered by a large veterinary clinic for veterinary offices all over the country. It's printed on an eco-friendly, non-woven paper so that clients won't have to care about it too much. The cards are made without watermarks and the printing is done on demand so that they're just as personalized and unique each time they're ordered.
##Will There Be Problems with Short Run Digital Printing?##
While digital printing is a quick, simple, and environmentally friendly way to do small runs of products, it can also be time-consuming if you don't know what you're doing. It's important to order enough prints for the project at hand.
Conclusion
Short-run digital printing has allowed businesses and individuals to create customized promotional items with a high level of personalization. This process allows for adjustments and alterations, which makes it possible for them to be done on demand. The art can be designed by you, or you can choose from pre-made designs or even upload your own if you have an idea of what you'd like to print.
Short run printing is great for small orders that don't require a large volume of product, but still need an overall high level of quality work. For example: business cards and brochures are easy things to order through POD services because they're more interested in getting your business than the cost.