Digital Printing: Short, Medium, and Long Variable Runs
In today’s printing market, digital printing is the preferred process to print professional, digital-based images, directly onto a wide variety of media substrates. Digital files can be sent directly to the digital printing press to print on paper, cardstock, photo paper, synthetics, labels, canvas, and other substrates.
Advantages of Digital Over Traditional Offset Printing
Unlike offset printing, there is no need for a metal printing plate to transfer an image when printing on a digital press. Digital production technology is evolving quickly, and output quality is improving continuously. Print Tech’s digital presses are dynamic, flexible to your variable printing needs, provide fast turnaround, and deliver print quality equal to offset for most applications. Digital printing advantages over offset printing include:
- Variable data capability (names, addresses, and other custom or personalized data).
- Ability to produce short, medium & long variable print runs without the high setup and plate costs of offset printing.
- The ability to see a printed proof directly from the digital press.
- Faster turnaround time.
- Consistent quality output.
- The ability to print high quality resolution for small, medium, and large quantities.
Variable Data that is Highly Customizable and Personalized
Variable data printing is the digital printing process used to produce personalized direct mail and marketing pieces in a single run based on one or more data elements. These data points include names, addresses, age, gender, income, purchase history, specific items viewed on a website, etc.
Variable data printing works by linking dynamically-generated text from a spreadsheet and inserting them onto your print file before the preflight stage. Our digital presses are ideal for variable data short-runs and variable data long-runs. Hundreds to tens of thousands direct mail and marketing pieces can be printed at high speed, each with unique dynamic data points linked to your print files.
Nearly every component of a direct mail piece can be customized with variable data. This tool provides the opportunity to stand out from traditional static direct mail and marketing materials by using a variable element such as a headline, address, inserted image or infographic, call-to-action, offers, and much more.
In a recent market study, more than half of retailers have reported an average increase of 17% in response rates for variable/personalized mailings over static mailings.
An Alternative to Long Run Printing
Ordering printed materials in bulk is no longer necessary with the evolution of digital printing. Digital printing makes it easy to order only the amount of printed materials that you need without the hassle, waste, and cost of storing excess bulk materials.
Many documents need to be changed over time. An advantage of short-to-medium run printing is the ability to make changes between batches. The proofs can easily be modified for review and production. Short-to-medium run digital printing is the most convenient and effective option for making these changes between batches, especially when incorporated with print-on-demand and online web portals.
Print-On-Demand
Print-on-demand is a digital printing technology in which materials can be printed as needed, allowing clients to print in smaller batches as often as they need while providing superior flexibility compared to printing in bulk. Printing in smaller quantities allows you to maintain less inventory, produce custom materials, create less waste, and increase profitability. The advantages to on-demand printing fulfillment are:
- Lower costs
- Faster turnaround
- Same day or next day shipping
- Virtually eliminates waste
- Improved profitability
Print Tech invests in the partnerships with our clients by providing an easy-to-use, online web portal for print-on-demand products, as well as inventory and print management.
Print Tech is Your Trusted Partner
For over 50 years, Print Tech has been a trusted partner for our client’s printing, mailing, marketing, and branding needs. Leverage our experienced experts, data & graphic design, printing, mail processing, and postal logistics for quality digital printing. Request a quote below or call us, and our expert team will provide best solutions to meet your business objectives.
A dedicated Print Tech representative is assigned to each opportunity to quickly and accurately manage the details and deadlines of your printing, mailing, marketing, and branding needs.