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A digital printing company can mean two things. It could indicate printing companies using digital technology for their printing or it could indicate printing companies who are involved with digital printing.

These two definitions are different from each other. The former describes the technology that enables printing while the latter is all about a specific printing process. Nevertheless, what unifies them both is the word digital which propels today’s trends.

Defining Digital Printing

When we say digital, we find it synonymous to computers or sophisticated technology. In printing, it could very well involve those two ideas at the same. Almost all commercial printing companies operate through or with computers, that makes it digital printing.

At the same time, there is a printing process called digital printing wherein films or plates are even eliminated in the process. Images or design are directly printed unto the paper or card stock without the mechanical processes.

By these mechanical processes, it implies a series of steps or processes commonly involved in printing. Yet, these are hardly mechanical or outdated since today’s technology have made these more efficient and productive.

Nevertheless, with digital printing, these steps are done away with. So there isn’t any color separation and the like involved, except perhaps finishing.

When to Choose Digital Printing

Not too many people know the difference between digital printing as against other form of printing processes. By digital printing, again we mean printing directly unto the paper without plates. Logically, the information that we most need is how we can print our designs or images in high quality.

Digital printing can produce high-quality print materials, be it for business documents, marketing or advertising materials, and all sorts of literature. However, like most things, digital printing has its advantages and disadvantages.

These following categories with provide you with an insight on when to use digital printing and how it will prove useful to you.

Turnaround Time

Digital printing, since it does not require any plates or color separation processes, can proceed to printing immediately. Therefore the turnaround time is shorter. There are print products with next day turnaround time so you can have your prints sooner than you think.

Compared to offset printing, certain jobs still require a much longer turnaround time or production time. This would prove especially true for multi-page documents But with the innovations in printing today, even the turnaround time for certain offset print products can only take 2 business days.

Popularly, business cards, flyers, brochures and even postcards only take about 2 days to be produced.

Cost-Effectiveness

Digital printing is much more costly than offset printing. This is because even with the series of steps removed, the printing machine itself is costly. More than this, it can consume a lot amount of ink since it is directly sprayed unto the paper.

Offset printing is the most practical and economical choice for printing. Most offset printing jobs are run with other printing projects, which makes it cheaper. Other than this, the inks are rolled and transferred unto the paper, which makes it more economical.

Quality

Digital printing gives out high-quality, high-resolution prints like offset printing. However, digitally printed products are more prone to cracking or peeling since the layers of ink are thick.

A digital printing company can give you a variety of option. Digital printing, on one hand, can also bring about great potentials for printing. However, you should consider these three factors when deciding which printing process to use. After all, printing is not just about getting the best print quality and material, it is about getting all of these at the most reasonable price.

If you have started on a business venture, you may have already realized that the hard work is only about to start. There are many aspects that you have to settle, think about and do the necessary actions. One area that you have to start investing on is advertising. This will not be so hard to accomplish with the aid of the technological advancement like the Internet and digital printing.Online AdvertisingThere is a vast opportunity available in the web for you to promote your brand and your business. It is already a must for establishments these days to create their own web site. This gives people a feel of what it would be like to avail your services. You can highlight your most-bought products and list out their features. You can also include positive testimonials from people who have tried out your products. You can also have your services availed online. This will make it easier for other people to avail your services.Aside from your own web site, you can also resort to other online marketing tricks such as blogging, search engine optimization (SEO), banner advertising and a lot more. You can hire people, even freelancers that you can find online to do the task for you. If you are going to explore the opportunities that the Internet can do for your business, you will be amazed at how much you can gain from the experience.Print AdvertisingIt is ideal to have your ads on TV and radio. But not everybody can afford to penetrate the broadcast medium. The main reason for such predicament is budget. It is very costly to market your ads using the broadcast route. And this is where the print medium comes into the picture.In print, you have a variety of options to choose from. You can avail postcards to be mailed directly to your target market. You can also create brochures and catalogues that you can have as leave-behinds or as inserts to other publications. These can also be distributed during special events such as on trade shows. You can have flyers that can easily be handed out to random people. There are also large format types like posters and banners that can be processed through digital printing.With such information to guide you, here are some of the things that you must be aware of before you proceed further with your plans.1.    You must have already determined your target market. Ask the help of professionals if you do not know how you can achieve with the right list. This is very vital for all your marketing strategies to work. You have to know who are going to be interested with the types of services and products that you offer.2.    Distribute your budget accordingly. You must learn to allocate your money in ways that you will be able to spend it wisely on things about your business that need your focus. This way, you will be able to plan ahead and know how much money will be going out and coming in. 3.    Think about the gimmicks that you need to resort to in marketing your business. Utilize whatever technology is offering you, like the Internet and digital printing, to your advantage.

All physical media will fade in time, but just how long are digital prints supposed to last? With digital printing as your choice of printing technology for your project, just what do you gain? What do you stand to expect?

Print Life

A large manufacturer of printers and inks claim with their special ink, paper, and printer, a digital print displayed under glass, in an indoor area should last over 80 years. But mind you, this comes with several disclaimers. There are certain conditions that would only make this true.

Word to the wise – do not be taken in too easy with prints that are said to last forever. Such claims are not always a guarantee. Second, on what merits and tests have such prints been subjected to? Third, there are all sorts of variables that can affect the longevity of prints.

Perhaps, like human beings, a print’s life span depends on the stuff it’s made of, the tender, lover and care it enjoys. Add to that a dash of luck. But like the study indicates, not all prints are created equal. There are all sorts of prints that enjoy different kinds of ink, paper materials, finishes, and of course, printing processes.

Kinds of Ink

As already mentioned, there are several variables that determine the life of a print. The following is a discussion of some of the inks and their effect on print permanence.

• The regular inks available at retail stores for home or office document use is water based. Their life span is much shorter. Apart from sun-damage, it is also vulnerable to damage from water. When exposed to water, the image will smudge. Water-based inks in humid areas have shorter life span.

• There are differing opinions on archival ink. When printed on a matte surface, it is said to improve longevity, but when printed on glossy paper, are said to have the same resistance to fading from light as regular ink. However, one big advantage of archival ink however, is its resistance to water.

• UV coating is a finishing application applied to prints. It is exposed to strong UV-light to harden the polymer. The result is a thick laminate-like texture. It protects the print from sun-damage delaying fading. Because of its thickness, it becomes crease resistant, and tear-resistant, in addition to being water-proof.

• Uncoated paper stocks are more vulnerable to the damaging elements present in the surrounding. Humidity, direct sun exposure, dust and the cling can all do considerable damage to prints. Acid-free paper is not the singular answer because a variety of premium grade paper stocks are available to printers for longer-lasting prints.

Preserving Images

• When caring for prints, place them in areas away from the harsh midday sun. You can prolong the color fastness by preventing the damaging rays of the sun from diminishing the vibrancy of your prints’ colors.

• But as difficult as it is to care for prints or to make them last forever, there is away to make images last long. Always take note of what material your prints are made of, be it paper, vinyl, or artist canvas. Keep the prints clean and away from dust.

• If your artist canvas or vinyl banners get wet, remember to dry them. These media are water-resistant and not waterproof. Ask your digital printing companies about the inks and materials they use for their prints and research. Just how long your prints can last is also half your job.