Offset vs Digital Printing: Which Is Better for Your Book?

Once you have made the decision to publish your book, it is time to choose one of the best options available to you for printing. There are two main types of printing used in the publishing industry, offset and digital. Either way, both of these methods will give you printed copies of your book; however, they are very different in terms of how they work and what kind of product they produce. It is important that as an author you know the differences between these two types of printing methods, so you can find the most cost-effective and high-quality option for your book. 

This article will explain the differences between offset and digital printing as well as how each works. We will also offer some tips on selecting the best printing method for your particular goals as an author. 

What Is Offset Printing? 

The original method of printing used in printing professionals and the majority of their work is offset printing. This type of printing uses metal plates to create a rubber blanket which is used to apply ink to paper. 

It can be likened to a production line method for producing many printed pages in a short period. 

Why Authors Choose Offset Book Printing 

Offset book printing is popular with authors and publishers who are interested in: 

-> The highest quality of print 

-> The highest number of books printed is between 500 - 5,000+ 

-> The lowest price of a book in larger quantities. 

-> Better quality paper, coatings or finishes. 

Due to the need to prepare plates and set the machine up before starting, it costs more upfront than other printing methods. However, the price per book becomes very competitive once the machine is operating, because the setup has already been paid for, and it is possible to get very high-quality printed materials. 

Pros of Offset Printing 

-> Slightly Better Image/Text Clarity 

-> Best Option for High Color Books 

-> Wide Selection of Paper 

-> Very Low Price per Book 

-> Professional Quality Printing and Durable Prints 

Cons of Offset Printing 

-> Higher Initial Investment 

-> More Time to Produce Printed Books 

-> Not Economical for Small Quantity Printing 

-> No Immediate Revisions Possible (all plates need to be remade) 

What Is Digital Printing? 

Digital printing is similar to computers printing and copying text or images onto paper using lasers or inkjet printers. The key difference is that digital printing machines do not use printing plates; therefore, all file types are sent directly from the computer to the machine. 

This allows digital printing to be very quick and flexible, which makes digital printing a perfect choice for people who need to print small amounts of books. 

Why Authors Choose Digital Printing for Books 

Digital printing has become a very popular choice for authors. Typically, authors use digital printing for: 

-> Print-on-demand (POD) 

-> Short runs (10-200 books) 

-> Self-publishers trying to get a feel for the market 

-> Authors who want to frequently update their book content 

-> Authors who want to print small quantities of their book without breaking the bank. 

If you are a first-time author or plan to frequently update your book, digital printing will give you much more flexibility than offset printing. 

Pros of Digital Printing 

-> No (or very low) set up cost 

-> Good for small quantities 

-> Quicker production time 

-> Corrections are easy to make 

-> Print on demand 

Cons of Digital Printing 

-> The unit cost per book is higher than for larger quantities of books 

-> Slightly lower color accuracy than offset printing 

-> Limited choices in paper and finishing 

-> Not ideal for books with many photos 

Offset Printing vs Digital Printing for Books: Key Differences 

Below is a simple, clear comparison to help you choose: 

Which Printing Method Is Best for Your Book? 

The choice of offset versus digital printing will depend on what you want to accomplish as an author. Below is a simple guide to help you make your decision: 

Choose Offset Printing If: 

Your print-run exceeds 500, or you are performing a mass print-run. 

-> You are looking for the highest-quality printed product. 

-> Your book consists of highly detailed images, illustrations, and/or a variety of colors. 

-> You would like to apply special finishing techniques such as adding matte lamination, spot UV, or using a textural stock. 

-> You need the lowest price on a per-copy basis for a bulk order. 

Choose Digital Printing If: 

-> You are a self-publisher testing the market possibility for your title. 

-> You are planning to produce and distribute between 10 and 200 copies. 

-> You frequently change or update your book. 

-> You have limited financial resources and need to start economically. 

-> You are interested in print-on-demand to eliminate the need for stocking and managing inventory. 

Offset vs Digital Printing Difference in Real Book Publishing 

Most authors in the book publishing business are utilizing both offset and digital printing wisely. 

-> Many new authors will begin by printing their books digitally to minimize potential losses while they are still evaluating their sales potential. 

-> Once the book has established itself and has started to sell well, the author will then move on to using offset printing to take advantage of lower printing costs combined with the increased number of printed copies being produced. 

-> Most publishers will also utilize digital printing for proof of their books and then use offset printing for final printing of their books. 

To sum up, authors can leverage both print technologies for successful book publishing; all they need to do is align their chosen print technology with their chosen publishing strategy. 

Final Thoughts 

The key difference between Offset Printing and Digital Printing means that by understanding this difference; you will have greater confidence in choosing what printing option is best suited for your book. 

By selecting offset printing, you are opting for superior quality printing along with better pricing advantages for large print runs compared to digital printed copies. 

Equally important is that by utilizing digital printing, you can take advantage of added flexibility, fast turnarounds, and lower prices when printing smaller quantities of your book. 

The correct choice of printing methods can ultimately affect the total cost, the quality, and therefore success of your book; whether you are a new author, self-publishing your first book or an experienced author preparing to publish your next edition.