Digital printing is the process of printing directly from a digital-based image onto a wide variety of media. It skips the plates and proofs of screen printing, instead using toner (like that used in your laser printer) or liquid ink.

It’s ideal for smaller print jobs as it doesn’t require the upfront costs of screen printing and works out cheaper per unit. Here are some of the benefits:

It’s faster

One of the biggest benefits of digital printing is its speed. Since it doesn’t require any setup procedures like printing plates, it can begin producing your products right away once a high-res digital file is sent to the printer. This is great if you have a tight deadline or need to get new products to market quickly.

This method also has a much lower turnaround time than other printing techniques, such as screen printing. This is because the initial setup cost is greatly reduced. Without the need for any plate creation, it can save you a lot of money and hassle. It’s also a great option for smaller print runs, as you only pay for the number of units that are actually printed.

Moreover, the flexibility of this method allows you to change your packaging designs faster than with traditional printing methods. The lack of plates means that if you want to add or remove an ingredient, change a recipe, or create seasonal packaging, it’s easy and quick to do. With conventional printing, the process is much slower as you have to create a new set of plates and do a full color match.

Furthermore, digital printing is better for the environment because it uses less ink than traditional print methods. This is because the ink only gets injected into areas of the design that need it, which results in less waste and a quicker clean-up operation.

It’s cheaper

In digital printing, no printing plates are required, which significantly lowers the cost. In addition, digital printing is less labor intensive and is able to print in smaller batches, allowing for a more efficient production process. Screen printing, on the other hand, requires the creation and use of separate screens for each color in the design.

If you’re looking for a quick turnaround and a low-cost option, digital printing is the best choice. It’s more like your own personal printer at home than traditional offset printing and is a great option for flyers, posters, one-off event brochures and in-house booklets.

Digital printing is also the most cost-effective option for products that require a high degree of personalization. Using a variable data process, digital printing can be used to create products with personalised call-to-actions, images, and text that are targeted towards specific buyers.

However, there are some limitations when it comes to digital printing. Since the technology uses a four-color printing process (CMYK), it cannot produce certain colors like metallics and neons. Additionally, digital printing can be susceptible to banding, which is the subtle transition between different shades of ink.

It’s more environmentally friendly

With businesses focusing more than ever on sustainability and their carbon footprint, they’re seeking suppliers who can support their environmental policies. Digital printing is naturally greener than other forms of printing because it eliminates much of the waste that’s associated with traditional print methods. It also reduces the amount of water used in the process and eliminates the use of harmful chemicals.

The digital printing process uses no metal printing plates or transfer film, so it’s significantly more environmentally friendly. Digital printers only print what you need and when you need it, eliminating the need for inventory waste. Plus, you won’t have to waste paper on press proofs as with conventional printing, as digital printing is fast and flexible and allows you to proof documents quickly.

If you do want to use a print shop that offers digital printing, it’s important to minimize the waste produced. Make sure that your files are properly sized to avoid bleeds and that you proof all of your documents well before you send them out. This way you’ll be able to save paper and money, and you won’t have any unnecessary waste that ends up in landfills.

When you work with Valtim, our digital presses are carbon neutral and utilize sustainable inks that help to protect the environment and keep plastic out of landfills. Additionally, we use recycled papers which helps to further decrease the environmental impact of our digital printing services.

It’s more versatile

Digital printing skips the plates, emulsion and screens of screen printing and directly maps out an image onto the chosen substrate with minute droplets of ink. This makes it ideal for a wide range of surfaces including shirts, mugs, bags and more. Its simplicity and minimal use of equipment also make it one of the most cost-effective printing forms available. Combined with its speed and versatility, it makes it the perfect option for Print on Demand services.

While there are many different kinds of digital printers, all digital printing machines function much like your personal home inkjet or laser printer. They map out your desired design, then transfer it to the substrate using ink or powdered toner.

Another advantage of digital printing is that it is more versatile than other types of printing. This is because digital prints can be done on a wide variety of textiles and can include special effects like raised print, shimmer or shine.

It’s also easier to do multiple colors with digital printing. Unlike screen printing, where each additional color requires an additional screen, digital printing uses CMYK inks which can reproduce a vast array of colors. This allows designers to be more creative and experiment with a wider range of styles. However, it’s important to remember that a digitally printed garment can deteriorate over time if washed with hot water, which is why it’s best for one-off items or short runs of merchandise.