The key difference: plates
In offset printing, a plate is made for each colour and the press is set up before thousands of copies are printed quickly. The set-up cost and time are the same for every job; as the quantity grows, this cost is spread and the unit price drops.
In digital printing there are no plates; the file goes straight to the press. With no set-up cost, small quantities are economical and jobs come out fast. That is why most business cards, flyers, invitations, catalogues and labels are printed digitally today.
Comparison
| Digital printing | Offset printing | |
|---|---|---|
| Plates / set-up | None, printed straight from the file | A plate per colour and press set-up |
| Economical quantity | From 1 to a few thousand | High quantities (usually tens of thousands) |
| Turnaround | Short; suitable jobs the same day | Longer because of plates and drying |
| Test / short runs | Easy; print a few first and reorder | Expensive for small quantities |
| Colour | CMYK; extra colours such as white depending on the press | CMYK and special mixed (Pantone) inks |
| Reorders | Same file, any quantity | Still needs high quantities to be economical |
What we have
The presses in our workshop are digital: Konica Minolta AccurioPress C12010S, C12000 and C1085 digital presses, a 120 × 170 cm UV flatbed printer and a 3.20 m wide eco-solvent printer; a Polar guillotine for cutting. This lets us print business cards, flyers and brochures, catalogues, labels, banners and white ink printing without plates, at the prices shown on the site; suitable jobs are ready the same day in Antalya.
We do not do offset printing. If you are planning a long-running job of tens of thousands of copies, an offset printer may be more economical; if you are not sure which suits you, send us your product and quantity on WhatsApp and we will tell you honestly.
For good digital results
- Prepare the file in CMYK; we explain screen vs print colour in why print colours differ from the screen.
- Leave bleed and a safe area: how to prepare a print file.
- Choose the paper for the job: how to choose business card paper.
Frequently asked questions
Does Deniz Dijital Matbaa do offset printing?
No. Our workshop prints digitally only; we do not offer offset printing.
Is digital print quality as good as offset?
Today’s production digital presses give near-offset quality for business cards, brochures and catalogues. Offset has the edge when special mixed (Pantone) colours are required.
From what quantity is offset cheaper?
It depends on the product, size and paper; offset usually becomes economical for tens of thousands of copies. Tell us your quantity and we will say which suits you.
Can digital printing be ready the same day?
For suitable products, if a print-ready file is approved by 11:00, it is ready the same day at 19:00 in Antalya.
Business Cards → Flyers & Brochures → Catalogues & Booklets →
More guides
- Printed or digital invitations?
- Banner, vinyl or roll-up?
- NFC or QR business card?
- Business cards for your whole team
- How do I send my Canva design to print?
- Wedding print checklist
- Why do printed colours look different from the screen?
- Flyer or brochure?
- How to choose label material
- How to choose business card paper
- Catalogue binding types
- How to get rush invitations on time
- How to prepare a print file
- Flyer sizes and paper choice
- Labels or stickers?
- What affects business card prices?
- How long does business card printing take?
- Print-ready design with AI