Digital Printing
Digital Printing
Digital Printing is a way of printing from a digital based image directly to a variety of media. Gutenburg first created the print press in the 1400’s but it was expensive and slow to print, but when merging the old technology with the new technology together in the 1990’s it became easier, quicker and cheaper to print, (1) and now digital print is challenging traditional printing methods.
There are many advantages to digital printing like shorter turnaround, more accurate counts, cheaper low volume printing and variable data printing which is a form of customizable printing meaning that text and graphics can be changed. (2)
However there are advantages to lithographic printing which is the traditional method of printing which uses a print press and a print plate. Some advantage include be able to print on a wide range of surfaces, high image quality and that the unit cost goes down and the quantity goes up meaning cheaper large run which is cost effective. (2)
With the publishing world turning digitial however this also means that some publishing companies are turning digital and scrapping printing altogether with the likes of The Guardian potentially looking to have a totally online newspaper and abandoning printing. The Guardian have been struggling with loses of £44million an year and have said the only way to ‘optimise the economics of the paper would involve format changes.’ (3) The Guardian’s Chief wants to develop the US digital side to see if moving entirely too digital will help the company. (4)
The Guardian isn’t the only publication looking to move to digital only. The Newsweek magazine has announced that the title is to go digital only at the end of the year with the last printed version to be released on New Year’s Eve. Newsweek have been struggling with debt and failing paid circulation so is becoming a virtual magazine. (5) The move to digital will help this 80 year old magazine keep running by cutting down its staff and its print and distribution costs.
Turning to digital does have its advantages and disadvantages like most things however given the world’s current economic situation digital is helping to keep many loved and followed companies alive. However traditional printing of books, magazines and newspapers should not be lost as they have been a worldwide tradition for centuries. As the world becomes more and more modernised however companies such as publishers are going to have to follow to be able to survive.
1. http://www.facemediagroup.co.uk/?page=what-is-digital-printing (Assessed on 22/10/2012)
2. http://www.pinscreative.com/articles/digital_vs_offset.htm (Assessed on 22/10/2012)
3. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/9616483/Guardian-looks-to-digital-future-without-printed-newspapers.html (Assessed on 22/10/2012)
4. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/9614953/Guardian-seriously-discussing-end-to-print-edition.html (Assessed on 22/10/2012)
5. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/newsweek-magazine-to-go-digitalonly-due-to-falling-circulation-and-mounting-losses-16226488.html (Assessed on 22/10/2012)
Digital Printing is a way of printing from a digital based image directly to a variety of media. Gutenburg first created the print press in the 1400’s but it was expensive and slow to print, but when merging the old technology with the new technology together in the 1990’s it became easier, quicker and cheaper to print, (1) and now digital print is challenging traditional printing methods.
There are many advantages to digital printing like shorter turnaround, more accurate counts, cheaper low volume printing and variable data printing which is a form of customizable printing meaning that text and graphics can be changed. (2)
However there are advantages to lithographic printing which is the traditional method of printing which uses a print press and a print plate. Some advantage include be able to print on a wide range of surfaces, high image quality and that the unit cost goes down and the quantity goes up meaning cheaper large run which is cost effective. (2)
With the publishing world turning digitial however this also means that some publishing companies are turning digital and scrapping printing altogether with the likes of The Guardian potentially looking to have a totally online newspaper and abandoning printing. The Guardian have been struggling with loses of £44million an year and have said the only way to ‘optimise the economics of the paper would involve format changes.’ (3) The Guardian’s Chief wants to develop the US digital side to see if moving entirely too digital will help the company. (4)
The Guardian isn’t the only publication looking to move to digital only. The Newsweek magazine has announced that the title is to go digital only at the end of the year with the last printed version to be released on New Year’s Eve. Newsweek have been struggling with debt and failing paid circulation so is becoming a virtual magazine. (5) The move to digital will help this 80 year old magazine keep running by cutting down its staff and its print and distribution costs.
Turning to digital does have its advantages and disadvantages like most things however given the world’s current economic situation digital is helping to keep many loved and followed companies alive. However traditional printing of books, magazines and newspapers should not be lost as they have been a worldwide tradition for centuries. As the world becomes more and more modernised however companies such as publishers are going to have to follow to be able to survive.
1. http://www.facemediagroup.co.uk/?page=what-is-digital-printing (Assessed on 22/10/2012)
2. http://www.pinscreative.com/articles/digital_vs_offset.htm (Assessed on 22/10/2012)
3. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/9616483/Guardian-looks-to-digital-future-without-printed-newspapers.html (Assessed on 22/10/2012)
4. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/9614953/Guardian-seriously-discussing-end-to-print-edition.html (Assessed on 22/10/2012)
5. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/newsweek-magazine-to-go-digitalonly-due-to-falling-circulation-and-mounting-losses-16226488.html (Assessed on 22/10/2012)