Both offset printing and inkjet printing are completely different processes to accomplish the same purpose. Offset printing uses aluminum printing plates to transfer ink from a rubber surface (known as a blanket) to paper. Inkjet, or digital printing, is much like a desktop printer. Much like it's name suggests, it sprays like a jet onto paper for form pictures or text.
There are differences to each process and each have their advantages.
What is Inkjet Printing?
The most common type of inkjet printing is probably on your desktop - an inkjet printer. It is the simplest form of digital printing. By definition it is a computer that sends a digital image and puts it on paper by sending a stream of ink.
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| Desktop inkjet printer. |
Today, very sophisticated inkjet printers have been made to make posters, books and brochures. Here is an example of a commercial inkjet printers that can print in a much wider format for posters.
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| Inkjet printer for making posters. |
Inkjet printers have now evolved into much larger machines that can print full color books, trimmed and ready to read.
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| Commercial inkjet printer for books. |
These large commercial machines cannot produce at the speed of offset printing presses. But the cost per book can be much lower if the print run is shorter.
What is Offset Printing?
There are many explanations, but all offset printing employs four simple steps.
1. Ink is applied to a printing plate by means of ink rollers.
2. Water is applied to the printing plate at the same time by means of water rollers.
3. The printing plate cylinder accepts the ink and water on different areas and transfers it to a offset cylinder (rubber blanket).
4. The offset cylinder surface transfers it to paper.
Offset printing presses also come in different forms. Some are small, designed for short runs. These compete with the inkjet printing market.
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| Small offset printing press. |
Some offset printing presses are much larger. However they all operate on the same principle. They have multiple printing units that all use a plate and blanket cylinder. These printing presses can produce many pages and colors. A good example of this are newspaper presses.
The difference with these types of presses is that they are no comparison with inkjet printers. Their volume and speed is such that no digital printing press can touch this market.... yet.
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| Newspaper offset printing press. |
A more detailed explanation of what offset printing is can be found here. So not the question remains.
Which is better? Offset Printing Or Inkjet?
Unless you require special inks on your project, the biggest determining factor in this question is quantity. Usually quantities under 2,000 will be most suitable for inkjet printing, or any other form of digital printing.
Whatever the case, deciding what you priorities are will help you make the right decision.
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