Online digital printing is an online form of digital printing. It enables the user to print shorter-run jobs at their leisure, and when used in short-run it allows this to be done at a lower cost than the alternative litho print option. Typically used for less than 1000 units, online digital printing is ideal for those who require a faster turnaround than its longer-run litho counterpart. Indeed, if you were to later require higher units of your prints, then using a digital printing option allows you to ‘test the water’ before committing to high levels of print.
For somebody wishing to create personalised stationary, for example, online digital printing is the best solution to do so. With the ability to print variable content onto items such as postcards, mailers and brochures, digital printing enables you to contact your customers on a more personal level. Most credible online printing firms have a wide range options including a vast range of both paper size and weights, as you would expect from your high street printers. The benefits of using an online printer however, is that the opportunity costs to you are generally lower (I.e. having the ability to create your options outside of trading hours, where you will want to be conducting more traditional business activities!).
Despite the rapid increase in turnaround speeds, there is no sacrifice in quality in using online digital printing. There are the options of both colour and mono digital printing, with the latter being the least expensive. Generally, online printing companies will standard and express delivery services, taking around seven and three/four days respectively. More efficient companies will sometimes be able to deliver to you quicker than this and some may even offer a next/same day service. In addition, by using standard delivery times, there is normally no cost for postage.
Using digital print over litho print means that less waste is produced in the process of creating your stationary which ultimately means less time and money is wasted and therefore you receive a quicker, lower priced product. Using online digital printing allows printing companies to liaise with you, showing different options of designs etc before going to press, and ensure that everything is in correct order before running the prints off. Also, digital prints are created without physical plates and instead use electronic patterns, meaning that you can change your designs instantly and without incurring any unnecessary costs.
In conclusion, there are many benefits of using online digital printing. Firstly, the leniency of being able to produce as few items as you require is useful if all you need is an example copy or prototype of your product before mass producing an item. Quicker turnarounds than litho printing are helpful if you have short lead times and need to receive your stationary sooner rather than later, and this linked in with low or even zero delivery charges makes online digital printing a much more convenient option than using a high street printer who may charge you more money.
