| Here is a quick guide on the different types of printing | | | | used, and these systems can merge lists and |
| processes to help you decide which style is best to | | | | addresses to personalize each piece as it passes |
| print your marketing piece. | | | | through the press. |
| Offset | | | | Digital print is best if:o Only smaller quantities (under |
| Full-color offset printing involves taking your artwork file | | | | 1000 pieces) needed.o You are printing full color and |
| and creating a "plate" for each of the four process | | | | especially if it bleeds.o You can wait 5 days plus ship |
| colors - black, cyan (blue), magenta (red), and yellow. | | | | time. |
| Though you see many colors in the finished product, | | | | Color Copy |
| only these four colors are used (also referred to as | | | | Some print shops have high-speed color and black and |
| four-color process). These plates are loaded onto the | | | | white copiers that can produce decent results. As with |
| printer and, one at a time, transfer the process colors | | | | most copiers, you are limited by the size and thickness |
| to paper to create your finished product. | | | | of your paper and the color quality that is reproduced. |
| Choose offset print if:o You are printing full-color, high | | | | You may not get a 100% color match all of the time. |
| quantity - usually over 1000 pieces.o Your job bleeds | | | | This could be critical when your logo or branding colors |
| (images/color go off of the edges of the paper).o A | | | | need to show consistency in your marketing pieces. |
| high-quality piece is important in the final product.o You | | | | Color copies are a good choice when:o Only a small |
| can wait 7-10 days plus any ship time. | | | | number of pieces are needed.o The quality of the |
| Digital | | | | piece is not critical.o Your piece does not bleed.o You |
| Digital produces a much higher quality piece than a | | | | can wait 1-2 days plus any ship time. |
| color copier, and is similar to offset printing quality. This | | | | Keep in mind that the digital art file you provide for |
| process can print to large, high-quality and heavy | | | | printing may also impact the style of printing you can |
| weight paper stocks. Traditional printing plates are not | | | | choose. |
