When you need something professionally printed, one of the first questions you may be asked is: Should it be digitally printed or litho printed? With so many different printing technologies available today, understanding the difference between digital printing, litho printing and inkjet printing can be confusing. The right process depends on several factors, including the quantity you need, the type of artwork, the paper or substrate you want to use, colour requirements and your budget. At Dynamic Print, we work with a range of professional printing processes and can help you choose the most appropriate method for your project.
What is Digital Printing?
Digital printing is a modern printing process where your artwork is sent directly from a digital file to the printing machine. Unlike traditional litho printing, digital printing does not normally require printing plates. This makes digital printing particularly useful for short print runs, quick turnaround times and personalised or variable-data printing. Digital printing can produce excellent-quality results on a wide range of papers and card stocks, making it a popular choice for business cards, invitations, brochures, stationery, leaflets and other marketing materials.
What are the Advantages of
When you need something professionally printed, one of the first questions you may be asked is: Should it be digitally printed or litho printed? With so many different printing technologies available today, understanding the difference between digital printing, litho printing and inkjet printing can be confusing. The right process depends on several factors, including the quantity you need, the type of artwork, the paper or substrate you want to use, colour requirements and your budget. At Dynamic Print, we work with a range of professional printing processes and can help you choose the most appropriate method for your project.
Digital Printing?
Digital printing offers several important benefits:
- No traditional printing plates are required.
- It is economical for shorter print runs.
- Set-up is generally quick.
- Jobs can often be produced with a fast turnaround.
- Personalisation and variable data can be incorporated.
- It is ideal for producing proofs, prototypes and samples.
- You can order the quantity you actually need rather than producing large volumes.
For example, if you need 100 personalised invitations, digital printing may be a much more practical option than setting up a litho print run.
You can find out more about our digital printing services.
What is Litho Printing?
Litho printing, also known as offset lithographic printing, is a traditional commercial printing process. Instead of transferring the ink directly from a digital file onto the paper, artwork is transferred onto printing plates. The image is then transferred from the plate to a rubber blanket and finally onto the printing surface. Although the initial set-up for litho printing can take longer than digital printing, litho can become extremely economical when producing larger quantities. Litho printing is commonly used for larger commercial print runs such as brochures, catalogues, magazines, stationery, packaging and other high-volume printed materials.
What are the Advantages of Litho Printing?
Litho printing is particularly useful when you require:
- Larger print quantities.
- Consistent colour throughout a print run.
- Accurate colour reproduction.
- Pantone or spot-colour printing.
- High-quality commercial print.
- Cost-effective production at higher volumes.
- Specific paper and finishing requirements.
One of the biggest advantages of litho printing is its consistency. Once the press is correctly set up, it can produce large quantities with very consistent results.
What is Inkjet Printing?
Inkjet printing works by placing tiny droplets of ink onto the printing surface to create the image. Inkjet is actually a form of digital printing, although the technology and applications can be quite different from the toner-based digital presses many people are familiar with. Inkjet technology can be used for everything from photographic and fine-art printing to commercial production, signage, packaging and personalised direct mail. It can be particularly useful where you need high-speed production, variable information, large-format printing or a wide range of substrates.
Digital vs Litho Printing: What is the Difference?
The simplest way to think about the difference is: Digital printing is generally suited to shorter, more flexible print runs, while litho printing can become more economical for larger quantities and projects requiring very consistent colour reproduction. However, there isn’t a magic quantity where digital suddenly becomes litho. The most economical option depends on the individual job.
| Printing process | Best suited to | Key advantage |
| Digital printing | Short to medium print runs | Speed and flexibility |
| Litho printing | Medium to large print runs | Cost efficiency and consistency |
| Inkjet printing | Variable, high-volume and specialist applications | Speed and versatility |
Is Digital or Litho Printing Cheaper?
This is one of the most common questions we receive, and the answer is: it depends on the quantity and specification of the job. Digital printing generally has lower initial set-up costs, making it attractive for smaller quantities. Litho printing has more preparation and set-up involved, including the production of printing plates. However, once the press is running, producing additional copies can become increasingly economical. This means that for 50, 100 or 250 copies, digital printing may often make more financial sense, while a much larger commercial print run may favour litho. But quantity isn’t the only consideration. Paper choice, colour requirements, finishing, size and turnaround can all influence which process is most suitable.
Which Printing Process Should I Choose?
There isn’t a single answer because every print project is different.
Choose Digital Printing if:
- You need a relatively small quantity.
- You need your job quickly.
- You require personalised or variable information.
- You want to produce a proof or prototype.
- You don’t want to commit to a large print run.
- You need flexibility to reorder smaller quantities.
Choose Litho Printing if:
- You require a larger quantity.
- Consistent colour reproduction is particularly important.
- You need Pantone or spot colours.
- The economies of scale make litho more cost-effective.
- You are producing commercial marketing or packaging materials in volume.
Consider Inkjet if:
- You need variable or personalised information.
- You require high-speed production.
- You are working with specialist substrates.
- You need large-format printing.
- You have a high-volume application.
What About Specialist Print Finishing?
The printing process is only part of the finished product. At Dynamic Print, we also specialise in traditional and tactile print finishing techniques, including hot foiling, embossing, blind debossing and die cutting. This means your project doesn’t necessarily have to be simply “digital or litho”. For example, you might digitally print your artwork and then add hot foil to create a metallic finish, or combine printing with embossing or die cutting to create something much more tactile and memorable. This combination of processes can be particularly effective for luxury stationery, wedding invitations, business cards, certificates, packaging, invitations and premium marketing materials.
Digital Printing or Litho Printing Which is Best for Your Project?
The best printing process isn’t necessarily the newest or most traditional technology. It is the process that gives you the right combination of quality, quantity, cost, turnaround time, paper and finishing for your particular project. At Dynamic Print, we have extensive experience across digital and specialist print processes and can help you determine the most appropriate solution before you commit to a production run.
Sometimes the answer is digital.
Sometimes it’s litho.
Sometimes it’s inkjet.
And sometimes the best result comes from combining a modern printing process with traditional techniques such as hot foiling, embossing, blind debossing or die cutting. If you’re unsure which printing process is right for your project, talk to Dynamic Print. We can look at your artwork, quantity, paper requirements and desired finish and recommend the most suitable approach. The right printing process can make all the difference to the finished result.
