Let’s look at two distinct printing methods still currently in use: digital versus offset. From a practical standpoint, the biggest difference is cost, with traditional offset printing being considerably more expensive than  digital. But another huge factor that differentiates the two is time, which relates to time to market. Digital is faster.

Here are two definitions. Both are listed in our Publishing Glossary, accessible here.

digital printing

A type of printing in which the transfer of electronic images to paper is accomplished with inkjet or laser printers. (From The Chicago Manual of Style.)

offset printing

Also called offset lithography. The most common type of printing used for books and journals. The pages to be printed are transferred either photographically or through computer-to-plate technology to a thin, flexible metal plate, curved to fit one of the revolving cylinders of a printing press. The image on this plate is then transferred to, or offset onto, the paper by means of a rubber blanket on another cylinder. (From The Chicago Manual of Style.) (Contrast digital printing.)

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Note that some would take issue with the idea that offset printing is “the most common.” Especially due to the exponential growth of the self-publishing world, in 2026 digital printing very likely far exceeds offset.

In terms of cost, as recently as 20 years ago it was not uncommon for an American publisher to spend 60% of their budget for any given book on printing, which was typically done in the United States. It was (and still is) a labor-intensive process that involves a great many steps (and people). If errors were discovered after the book had “gone to press,” the cost to reprint could easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars.

With the advent of digital, all of that changed: The cost of digital is a fraction of the cost versus offset.

The biggest question is which one is right for you.

Self-publishing platforms more or less exclusively use digital printing because it’s faster, cheaper, and less problematic than offset. For any digital printing job all that’s needed is a properly prepared .pdf file, which should include whatever images are to appear along with the text. The technology has improved drastically over the past 10 years or so, to the point where most casual readers would not necessarily notice the difference. (In a way it’s similar to audio, where .mp3s dominate and most listeners can’t hear the difference between an .mp3 (which is compressed) and far superior .wav of FLAC files.)

Offset printing remains the preferred method with books that require high-quality images, such as art books. In that context, a top-notch offset job on quality stock will trump digital six days a week and twice on Sunday: It will just look a lot better.

But in the vast majority of cases, especially where there are no images involved, digital is the way to go.

At Virtus we can assist you in making the decision that’s right for you.

 

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