Design tools like Canva have transformed how businesses create marketing materials. Anyone can now produce flyers, social graphics, and presentations without needing advanced design skills.
While these tools are convenient, there are important differences between creating a design online and preparing it for professional printing.
Understanding those differences can help businesses avoid costly mistakes and produce marketing materials that truly represent their brand.
Digital Design and Print Production Are Different
Most online design platforms are built for digital use first. Their templates and export settings are optimized for social media, websites, and presentations.
Printing, however, requires additional technical preparation including:
Proper resolution
Correct color profiles
Bleed and trim settings
File flattening and formatting
Without these elements, files may look correct on screen but fail during the printing process.
Resolution and Image Quality
Digital graphics can often look good at lower resolutions because screens display images differently than printers.
Professional print materials require higher resolution to ensure crisp details and readable text.
Low resolution images may appear pixelated or blurry once printed.
Color Accuracy
Another major difference between digital and print design is color.
Computer screens use RGB color, while printing presses use CMYK inks. This difference means that colors often appear different once printed.
Professional print providers can adjust files to maintain color accuracy and ensure branding remains consistent.
File Setup Matters
Even well designed artwork can run into problems if the file setup is incorrect.
Elements such as bleed areas, crop marks, and trim lines help printers produce clean edges and accurate cuts.
Without these settings, designs may shift during trimming or leave unwanted borders.
Working with a Professional Print Partner
For businesses that rely on printed materials, partnering with a professional print provider can make a significant difference.
Experienced printers can help with:
File preparation and formatting
Color adjustments
Paper and material selection
Large format or specialty printing
Direct mail production
This ensures marketing materials are produced correctly the first time.
Bringing Your Designs to Life
Online design platforms are powerful tools for creating visual content quickly. But when it comes to high quality printed materials, proper preparation and production expertise are essential.
By combining easy to use design tools with professional printing support, businesses can achieve the best of both worlds.
Not sure about how your art will print? JET Print and Mail is here to help. Reach out below to talk to someone about your next print project.
Combining print with digital marketing isn’t just smart—it’s a proven way to boost engagement, trust, and conversions. Print materials like postcards and brochures reinforce digital efforts such as retargeting ads and email campaigns, creating a multi-touch experience that increases visibility and credibility. Add QR codes, personalized offers, or custom URLs to track performance and drive measurable results. The secret? It’s not one or the other—it’s both. Together, digital and print create more effective, higher-impact campaigns.
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In today’s fast-moving marketing landscape, digital channels like social media, email, and online advertising tend to dominate the conversation. But smart marketers know there’s another powerful piece of the puzzle that too many brands overlook: print.
When used together, print and digital marketing don’t compete—they complement. And when done right, the combination can boost response rates, improve brand recall, and create a multi-touch experience that drives action.
So what’s the secret to making these channels work in harmony? It’s all about strategic integration—making sure your print materials and digital efforts are speaking to the same audience in ways that reinforce, rather than duplicate, your message.
Let’s take a look at how print enhances digital marketing—and how you can make the most of both.
Print Increases Trust and Credibility
Before we get tactical, here’s a fundamental truth: print builds trust.
Studies consistently show that consumers view printed materials—like postcards, brochures, or catalogs—as more credible than digital-only ads. In fact, 82% of people trust print ads when making a purchase decision, compared to just 25% who trust pop-ups or banners.
That’s why combining print with digital campaigns gives your message extra weight. When a potential customer sees your brand in their inbox, on their social feed, and in their mailbox, it signals professionalism and consistency.
A prospect visits your website but doesn’t convert.
You capture their information using a form, cookie, or IP match.
They begin seeing retargeted ads on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Google.
Within a few days, they receive a postcard or letter in the mail with a personalized offer or reminder.
This physical touchpoint can reignite interest and drive conversions. In fact, campaigns that use direct mail + digital retargeting see up to 28% higher conversion rates than digital alone.
Example: A local HVAC company targets website visitors who looked at maintenance plans but didn’t purchase. After 48 hours, those visitors are served retargeting ads and mailed a branded postcard with a “Limited-Time $79 Tune-Up” offer. Result? Increased bookings and higher campaign ROI.
Print Supports and Extends Email Campaigns
Email is fast and affordable—but it’s also crowded. That’s why savvy marketers are pairing email with print reinforcements to make sure their message sticks.
Think of your email campaign as the teaser—and your direct mail as the follow-up that reinforces the message, adds credibility, and offers another call to action.
Example: An e-commerce brand sends out a limited-time email promo to lapsed customers. A few days later, those same customers receive a high-quality mini catalog in the mail featuring bestsellers and a personalized discount code. The tactile experience gives the brand a second chance to convert—and often performs better than email alone.
You can also do it in reverse:
Use direct mail to announce a new product or event.
Follow up with a targeted email campaign that includes a reminder or link to RSVP or shop online.
QR Codes + Print = Trackable Engagement
One of the main reasons marketers have leaned so heavily into digital is because it’s measurable. But print can be just as trackable—especially when you incorporate QR codes, custom URLs, or promo codes.
Modern QR codes are scannable directly from smartphones and can lead users to:
A product page
A landing page or lead form
A YouTube video or demo
A calendar invite or event registration
Example: A roofing company sends out a seasonal postcard offering free inspections. The card includes a QR code that takes recipients to a mobile-friendly form to schedule their appointment. The result is a seamless experience from mailbox to mobile.
Tracking codes also help you understand what’s working, who’s engaging, and how to refine your future print and digital campaigns.
Print Creates a Longer-Lasting Impression
Digital ads are fleeting—most disappear in seconds. But a well-designed postcard, catalog, or brochure sticks around.
Whether it’s pinned to a bulletin board, stuck to the fridge, or handed to a spouse or neighbor, print extends your brand’s lifespan in the home. That’s something no social ad can replicate.
When your digital campaign is long gone, your postcard might still be sitting on someone’s kitchen counter.
Final Thoughts: The Power of Print + Digital = Results
If you’re only investing in digital, you’re leaving opportunity on the table. But when you bring print into the mix—with strategy, intention, and the right timing—you create a layered marketing approach that speaks to your audience in multiple ways, across multiple channels.
From retargeting ads that follow up with postcards, to QR-enabled brochures that bridge the gap between print and web, the opportunities are endless—and the results are real.
Want help building a smart, results-driven print and digital marketing strategy? Plumb Marketing specializes in multi-channel campaigns that combine data, design, and delivery to help you reach your ideal customers wherever they are—online and in their mailbox.
Direct mail postcards are a powerful and cost-effective way for home services businesses—like roofing, plumbing, landscaping, and HVAC—to target local homeowners, increase visibility, and generate leads. With strategic timing, custom targeting, and consistent branding, postcards offer a high return on investment that digital channels often can’t match. Partnering with a company like Plumb Marketing ensures every campaign is optimized for results, from list selection to final delivery.
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Direct Mail Delivers Local Impact for Home Services
If you run a home services business, your ideal customers are nearby. You’re not trying to reach the whole country—you want to connect with homeowners in your city, your neighborhood, your zip code. That’s where direct mail postcards shine.
Whether you offer roofing, plumbing, landscaping, or HVAC services, postcards let you reach homeowners exactly where they live—with no guesswork. You can target by area, household income, home value, and more, ensuring that every piece you send lands in a qualified mailbox.
Plumb Marketing specializes in helping home service pros reach the right households with data-backed mailing lists and customized campaigns built for results.
Physical Mail Gets Noticed in a Digital World
Let’s be honest—people are drowning in emails, texts, and online ads. Postcards cut through that noise by showing up where your customers still pay attention: their mailbox.
A well-designed postcard with a clear offer—like “$99 Seasonal AC Tune-Up” or “Free Lawn Assessment”—doesn’t get buried in spam or ignored due to ad fatigue. It’s seen, touched, and often stuck on the fridge until the homeowner is ready to call.
Unlike emails that get deleted in seconds, postcards have a much longer shelf life. When designed and timed correctly, they keep your business top-of-mind for weeks.
Build Brand Familiarity With Seasonal Campaigns
Homeowners may not need a new roof or plumbing repair today—but when they do, you want your name to be the first one they remember. That’s where consistent postcard campaigns make a difference.
Some examples:
Roofers can mail before and after storm seasons to catch hail damage and roof inspections.
Plumbers can promote water heater checks before winter or drain cleaning and swamp cooler startup in the spring.
Landscapers can build seasonal awareness around lawn care, irrigation startups, or fall cleanups.
Using a recurring direct mail strategy builds recognition and trust—key drivers for service-based businesses. Plumb Marketing offers campaign automation tools so you can plan ahead and keep your name circulating all year long.
Measurable ROI You Can Count On
You need more than exposure—you need conversions. Direct mail postcards consistently deliver one of the highest response rates across all marketing channels. In fact, postcards to a house list can achieve response rates as high as 9%, outperforming digital ads and even email marketing.
Add tracking tools like:
QR codes that link to a special offer
Unique phone numbers
Coupon codes or URLs tied to a landing page
With these tools in place, you can connect every response to the campaign that brought it in. Plumb Marketing can help you build in these performance metrics so you can measure results and tweak future campaigns for even better outcomes.
Affordable and Scalable Marketing That Grows With You
Whether you’re running a one-person handyman service or a regional HVAC company with multiple crews, postcards are budget-friendly and flexible. You don’t need to print thousands to see results. And with bulk postage discounts and affordable design options, you get strong ROI without stretching your budget.
Plus, Plumb Marketing handles every part of the process—from designing your cards and sourcing your mailing list to printing and delivery—so you can stay focused on running your business.
Why Partner With Plumb Marketing?
When you work with Plumb Marketing, you’re not just getting a postcard—you’re getting a strategic marketing partner. Here’s what makes us different:
Targeted homeowner lists based on demographics, geography, and home data
Professional design services that align with your brand and attract attention
Pre-scheduled campaigns that follow the rhythm of your industry’s seasonality
Built-in tracking to monitor results and calculate ROI
We specialize in working with home services businesses, and we know what works. Our goal is to help you grow—one postcard at a time.
Final Thoughts
If you want to grow your home services business and connect with more homeowners in your area, don’t overlook the power of direct mail postcards. They’re local, visible, and high-converting—everything a home services business needs in a marketing tool.
Whether you offer plumbing, roofing, landscaping, electrical, or HVAC, direct mail can help you stay competitive and keep your schedule full.
Ready to get started? Let Plumb Marketing help you build a postcard campaign that works as hard as you do. Reach out today for a free consultation and let’s get your message into the right hands.
In an age dominated by digital communication, the charm of a personal touch often gets lost. For small businesses looking to stand out, direct mailers like birthday postcards offer an invaluable opportunity to connect with customers on a deeper level.
Unlike generic email blasts, a thoughtfully designed postcard arriving in the mail feels personal, memorable, and meaningful. Whether celebrating a birthday, thanking a loyal customer, or sharing an exclusive promotion, direct mailers create an emotional connection that fosters customer loyalty and builds trust.
How Do You Really Connect with Your Customers?
Do you collect information like their date of birth, email, shopping preferences, or address? Depending on the type of business, all of these could be data points that help you stay in touch with your current customer base. And, if you aren’t collecting information, hopefully by the end of this article you will feel inspired to begin gathering more data to create intentional, relationship building connections through direct mail.
Why Use Birthday Direct Mailers
Direct mail has a consistent Return-on-Investment for small businesses. Even in the digital age, studies prove direct mail performs reliably, especially when key aspects are included. These include personalization, customization, and multichannel targeting. Birthday cards naturally lend themselves to all three components of direct mail success.
Personalization. Birthday cards are not everyday bulk mail. They are sent to a very specific person, which makes them valued by the recipient immediately. Printing technology not only allows for mailing labels to be personalized, but even the printed piece itself.
Plus, because the recipient is getting the mail piece on or near their birthday, it can’t get much more personalized, creating a true connection with them.
Customization. Birthday mailers are also customizable. Small businesses maximize this by finding a message that is directly related to their business, while also creating a high level of personalization. This creates engagement by the recipient. An example is a travel agent who sends a birthday card that shows the customer’s name written in the sand of a beach, the ocean lapping towards it. This is fun and memorable.
Multichannel. Multichannel marketing is the concept of having customers and potential prospects engage with your brand in more than one way. This could mean they have done business with you at a brick-and-mortar store, have heard or seen a commercial, and/or receive online exposure through your website, newsletter, social media or digital advertising.
When you send a birthday card, you are creating a multichannel marketing approach by giving a personal touch by mail after they have already interacted with your brand in another way.
How Small Businesses Can Use Birthday Postcards
If you haven’t used direct mailers to strengthen relationships and drive growth, you may not have known about this strategy. Most companies who use birthday mailers do one of two things: they either provide a customer list that includes birthday information, or, they use research data to build a list to a targeted area.
Build your list. To capture the birthdates of your customers, request it as part of your sales process. This can be in addition to capturing other contact information, such as an intake form. It can also be offered as an opt-in offer either directly related to a birthday club, or part of a rewards program or similar.
Reach more people. When the sales cycle you use doesn’t collect birthdates, or if you want to expand into another list of potential customers, you can choose to purchase a list. This is especially well-suited for restaurants, as studies show that people not only use the birthday coupons, but they also often bring someone with them, increasing the average ticket.
Give an offer. While a simple greeting is nice, when it comes to encouraging the birthday recipient to take action, it is best to offer them something. This can be a free desert or gift, a discount on services, or a special offer only available on their birthday/birthday month.
These offers are highly actionable because they timebound, personal, and valuable. These are all ingredients that drive customer response.
Work with a Professional Direct Mail Company
Finally, working with a professional direct mail company will save you time and money. Choose a company who can design, print and mail your birthday cards. Once you have your program designed with them, you can set your budget and then let it run without even needing to do more than watch your return on investment grow.
JET Print and Mail wants to be your direct mail company of choice for birthday mailers and beyond. Let us help you create a new strategy for your business this year. Our designers will listen to your goals and help you create eye-catching, personalized mailers to bring visitors to your door or website. Contact us today.
Homeowners have endless choices when it comes to services like landscaping, outdoor kitchens, fencing, and hot tubs. So how can your business rise above the competition? The answer lies in personalization.
Direct mail services allow home service providers to deliver targeted, customized messages straight to their audience’s doorstep. From showcasing your latest outdoor kitchen designs to offering a seasonal promotion on landscaping, a personalized mailer grabs attention in ways digital ads simply can’t.
Learn how direct mail campaigns tailored to your audience’s needs can build trust, showcase your expertise, and keep your business top-of-mind in your local market.
Home Service Providers Using Direct Mail, Benefit One: Trust
Direct mail has been shown to be one of the most trustworthy forms of marketing. Direct mail is designed to be a multi-touch and personalized. This builds a connection with the recipient that demonstrates that the home service provider isn’t a “fly-by-night” company, but rather one that is invested in building relationships with homeowners.
When a homeowner receives a direct mail piece that is relevant to them, it has a bigger impact than general emails or banner ads or other forms of marketing that don’t connect. For example, if they receive a postcard with their name on it, and a picture of something in their neighborhood, they know they aren’t just getting the same message as everyone. They also learn that you work in their area and are invested in helping them have the same and better outcomes as their neighbors.
Home Services Using Direct Mail, Benefit Two: Showcasing Your Expertise
An example of a home services company showcasing their expertise is this: a landscaping company made a very damaged yard look amazing. They replaced yellow, dried out sod with xeriscaping with rocks, raised flower beds and great greenery that was all better suited for the shade and sun in the yard.
They turned a neighborhood eye sore into the talk of the block. To maximize this, they took before and after photos and sent a direct mail postcard (with the homeowner’s permission of course) to that neighborhood, as well as surrounding ones.
It was very relevant to the neighbors as many had witnessed the transformation themselves. The landscaping company was able to show a great example of their work. And when neighbors talked to each other, they got to hear about how it was to work together.
Because direct mail has a tried-and-true return on investment, the landscaping company knew that they would book a certain percentage of jobs from the direct mail pieces. In fact, their results were better than they expected because they used such a targeted and personalized campaign.
Home Service Companies Using Direct Mail, Benefit Three: Staying Top of Mind
Direct mail is not a one and done marketing program. But, it is an easy as one. Direct mail service providers craft a multi-point campaign, design the materials, identify the list and track the delivery, making it a turnkey marketing solution for small businesses.
The regularly scheduled delivery creates top-of-mind awareness for the homeowners in the delivery area and with technology, the message can be reinforced online. Multichannel marketing refers to the strategy that gets your name in front of the same potential customers in multiple ways, such as your storefront, direct mail, and online retargeted ads.
This strategy has homeowners seeing your brand over and over again, building awareness and the know, like, and trust factor that leads to action.
What Home Service Companies Benefit from Direct Mail?
Unsure which home services companies benefit the most from direct mail? Check your mail! Any services that go to the homeowner to provide value, can benefit from direct mail. This includes landscapers, outdoor space design, window, siding, gutters, roofs, tree trimmers and more. It also includes plumbing, HVAC, electrical, handymen, flooring, remodel and others who work inside.
It can include those who provide services to homeowners like home health providers, housekeeping services, and in-home pet services.
Direct mail campaigns have been a long running marketing strategy for companies who provide on-site services to homeowners. And there is a reason they continue to be utilized – because they work, even in a digital world. People love the tangible nature of mail, especially as they get bombarded online, all day, with digital marketing. Instead, create a personalized touchpoint for your business with direct mail.
Need help getting started? Contact us today and learn how easy and cost-effective a direct mail campaign can be for your home services business.
Just as an email’s subject line is crucial for grabbing attention, the envelope of a traditional mail piece plays a pivotal role: it needs to be compelling enough to be opened, read, and acted upon.
Notifications from emails, chats, and message boards bombard us all day long. Each of them wants our attention, creating a digital overload. Many people have found ways to quickly sort through the noise with filters, disabling notifications, and mass deletions. When the email or notification isn’t opened, the message isn’t delivered. If an offer isn’t read, the conversion can’t happen.
This is part of the reason why email marketing can have a low conversion rate – people simply are overwhelmed and not engaging. However, research shows that integrating print with digital campaigns can substantially boost conversion rates. Unlike digital interactions, the tactile experience of opening an envelope elevates ordinary mail into a powerful, memorable brand experience.
Creating Engagement
The tangible nature of mail forces engagement. Unless someone stands next to their mailbox and swipes all the contents right into a trashcan, they will interact with the piece in some way. When mail is personalized, fun, and relevant to the recipient, that engagement is practically guaranteed.
Personalized.
Using the recipient’s correct name is important. This includes not sending mail to someone deceased or no longer at the address. That could be traumatizing or, at best, dropped into the trash. A good list is critical to prevent wasted money and is part of the work of the direct mail provider.
Fun.
Using different size envelopes, different paper textures, vibrant colors, or interactive elements all add to the interest of an envelope. We will talk more about this in a bit.
Relevant.
Mail that speaks very directly to an interest of the recipient also increases engagement. Consider how you personally interact with mail. When you receive a card on your birthday, or receive something you ordered, you tear it open. When you get mail that gives you coupons or special information from a company you want to do business with, you clip it or go online for more.
Custom envelopes can be a game changer when it comes to personalized, fun, and relevant mail pieces. When done well, they ignite curiosity and invite the recipient to open it – often with a much bigger payoff than opening an email.
The Power of Custom Envelopes
Several business benefits can be found in custom envelopes. They become an essential component of branding and communication by incorporating and enhancing your company’s colors, design elements, and logo. Every mail piece is an extension of your business brand and therefore makes it stand out in the mailbox.
When your custom envelope lands in the recipient’s hands, because its unique design, it is memorable. This increases the chance of conversion because it connects to them differently than standard mail, and especially more than just another email. Custom envelopes also offer the flexibility to vary the weight, size, color or message for more interest.
Well-designed custom envelopes communicate professionalism. The design is appealing, with an attention to detail and this delivers a lasting impression that enhances credibility. Adding a personal touch fosters relationships.
The Process for Creating Custom Envelopes
Like many things in life, we can take envelopes for granted. There are so many available options, and the blend of these are what make them both practical and impactful. Consider:
Size
Folds & Glue
Color
Paper texture & thickness
Windows
Each one of these components will change not just the appearance, but the interest of the piece. For example, consider how differently these two experiences could be:
An oversized envelope that opens on the side for a card to slide out, revealing text as it is pulled. The envelope is high-quality and white with specs of color, like flower petals may have been pressed into it. A company who sells wedding dresses has engaged the recipient excited for their big day with this custom style.
A square, black envelope arrives with a stamped embossed logo. The customer recognizes the signature look of their favorite store’s color and brand. They open it to discover a birthday greeting and gift certificate to the store.
In both cases, the retailer has captured their branding and connected with the recipient in a very special and memorable way.
Envelope Converting
The process of creating custom envelopes involves choosing paper, size, folds and glue area. It is used when a customer’s branding needs can’t be met with standard stock envelopes.
The companies who manufacture the unique styles are called envelope converters and they create the personalized, branded envelopes that align with the desired messaging needs of the customer, including those for businesses, non-profits, and political campaigns.
The technology needed to produce large quantities of branded, custom envelopes must be easy and efficient in order to keep costs low for those wanting to increase open and response rates from the mailers, and maintain a positive ROI (return on investment).
Making an Impression with Branded Envelopes
Transform ordinary communications into memorable experiences with these suggestions:
Start with branded envelopes that feature your brand colors, logo and tagline.
Personalize the pieces using variable data printing (a good list) to grab their attention and make them feel valued.
Incorporate different sizes, shapes and textures in your campaign pieces to help them stand out.
Use professionally designed graphics aligned with your brand to make your pieces visually appealing and engaging.
Consider foil stamping, embossing, coating and other visual and tactile finishes to enhance your brand story.
Don’t be afraid to use offers or promotional messages on the envelope itself to entice recipients to open and learn more.
QR codes on the envelope also increase engagement and open the opportunity for digital rebranding, immediate conversion, and tons more information than can often be included in a mailer.
Envelope Design Assistance
JET Print and Mail can not only be your envelope converter, we can curate a direct mail list, allowing us to be your one-stop shop for designing, printing and mailing your direct mail campaign.
Our mailing experts know what it takes to meet specific branding and marketing objectives for:
Custom envelopes
Post cards
Direct mail letters
Promotional mailers
And more
Dedicated to the highest standards of quality, we ensure every envelope and mail piece meets your expectations for creating your lasting impression, but also the demands of the USPS. Our competitive pricing offers cost-effective solutions without compromising quality. Our quick turnaround times meet your deadlines for efficient delivery of mail when you need them, for the highest impact and return on investment.
Whether large quantities or small batch, we ensure top-quality manufacturing of your custom envelopes that leave the positive impression that reflects your professionalism and brand identity.
Envelopes and Direct Mail
By using custom envelopes strategically in your direct mail campaign, you transform ordinary communications into compelling marketing tools.The envelopes enhance your brand image, capture customer attention, increase engagement, and set you apart from not only your competitors, but other mail. This can lead to improved direct mail conversions and a stronger brand presence.
With the cluster and chaos of digital noise, the tactile world of print is a refreshing and welcome change of pace.
If you are ready to learn more, contact us today to work with a designer and get inspired to transform ordinary mail into a memorable brand experience.
If you’re seeking consistent, high-quality printing results, offset printing might be the ideal solution for you. Whether you want to elevate your photography portfolio, print fine art on canvas, or reproduce artwork, offset printing is an excellent option.
Used for decades, this versatile and popular method, combined with modern technology, is more effective than ever for creating large amounts of high-quality printing.
In this article, we will answer:
What offset printing is
What are the differences between offset printing and other methods
Who uses offset printing
The history and methodology of offset printing
What is Offset Printing?
Offered by professional printing companies, offset printing produces high quality printing known for its vibrant colors and fine details. It is ideal for printing large quantities, but it can be used to print a single product as well.
In traditional printing, ink is applied directly to the product or paper. This isn’t true with offset printing. Instead, ink is applied to a rubber blanket first, a process known for over two hundred years as lithography.
Digital Printing Versus Offset Printing
Materials: Digital is often limited to synthetic materials and certain paper types; offset is available on a wider variety, including canvas, newsprint, and magazine paper.
Quality: Digital has a lower quality image than offset printing. This is the primary reason artists and businesses with the desire for high quality images choose offset over digital printing.
Cost: Digital costs less per unit for smaller runs (less than 500); offset costs less per unit for large print runs.
Technology: Digital printing requires a digital press and ink applied directly to the material; offset uses rollers and printing plates.
Turnaround time: Digital offers faster turnaround times and lower set up costs; offset requires set-up of the unique printing plates, which can take a bit longer.
Giclee Versus Offset Printing
Materials: Because it uses digital printing methods, it is mostly used on canvas or paper.
Quality: Like offset printing, it produces vivid details and intense colors. This makes it a go-to for recreating an original work of fine art.
Cost: Can be used to create a single piece, unlike other forms of printing, which can be cost effective.
Technology: Giclee is an ultra-high-resolution digital printing technique that uses printers and archival ink to spray the image onto the material.
Turnaround Time: Faster turnaround time than offset printing.
Lithography Versus Offset Printing
We won’t repeat the pattern here like the ones above because… lithography and offset printing are one in the same! The words can be used interchangeably.
Who Uses Offset Printing?
In general, offset printing is used by artists, publishers, advertisers, photographers, and businesses worldwide.
Artists can reproduce artwork to create high quality prints of fine art on canvas or posters.
Publishers, advertisers, and photographers use it to create high quality images in newspapers, magazines, books, catalogs, and more.
Small businesses use offset printing when they want sharp images, usually reproductions of product photographs for banners, sales materials, packaging, and more.
The History of Offset Printing
You may be surprised to know the process has existed for over 200 years and has modernized with mechanization. In its early days, it revolutionized the printing industry by making printing higher quality, quicker, and more affordable than ever before.
Prior to offset printing, printing involved significant pressure being placed on paper from the plate, and limited paper types could handle it. Because of this, the industry began testing different ways to transfer ink from a printing plate onto paper.
An American printer by the name of Washington Rubel created the first offset plate in 1903. He used a rubber roller to transfer ink from the plate, rather than the old, direct contact method. This produced a higher quality image and allowed for a wider variety of paper types.
Offset printing, also called lithography, continued to improve, making it one of the best printing solutions today for detailed, vibrant printing.
The Offset Printing Process
Today, the first step in the process starts digitally, then additional time and effort is needed to set up the plates that will produce the high-quality images.
Step 1: Prepare the Image
The digitally prepared image is transferred onto a metal printing plate. Usually made of aluminum, it has a slightly raised image of what it will output.
Step 2: Treat the Plate
To prevent the ink from sticking to them, the image’s negative spaces on the plate are covered with a water-repellant treatment.
Step 3: Ink Transfer
Once mounted on the plate cylinder, the plate rotates as the press runs through several ink rollers, applying ink to them. This then transfers ink onto a blanket cylinder, or rubber roller as it is also called.
This rubber roller is larger than the plate cylinder to help it distribute the ink evenly. This creates the higher-quality prints this process is known for. The material being printed passes between the blanket cylinder and an impression cylinder.
Step 4: Ink Application
The ink is applied to the printing surface. The material is often glossy photo paper, canvas, cardboard or a variety of paper types. Only the raised image areas transfer the ink to the chosen printing material.
Why Should I Choose Offset Printing?
Your imagination is really the only limit when it comes to offset printing. The most common uses are:
Brochures / Flyers
Books / Magazines
Catalogs
Banners / Posters
Postcards / Direct Mail
Product packaging
Art duplication
And to summarize, here are the reasons why to choose offset printing:
Color accuracy – four color printing process delivers consistent results
High quality – capturing the finest details and clear, sharp, vibrant images
Quality – long-lasting inks resistant to fading makes it a worthwhile investment
Cost effective – great for large runs on various materials unlike other methods
Do you have a project that lithograph or offset printing can shine brightly in vivid colors and crisp details? We’re is here to help you with your large and small printing needs. Contact us today to discuss options, ideas, and printing strategies specific to your project.
If political direct mail has been part of your strategy, we encourage you to take a few minutes to read this article from Campaigns and Elections that is sure to add a boost to your confidence and results.
They’ve learned the trends and strategies that are working now to help political campaigners work smarter rather than harder. A bit of time spent now with this article can save you time and dimes later.
Direct mail campaigns have been an affordable way for businesses to increase brand awareness, build customer loyalty and gain new patrons. The ease of implementation and affordability make it very attractive and accessible to small businesses as well.
However, mistakes can kill the return on investment, and therefore should be avoided, which is what this educational piece offers its readers. Check it out before you build your campaign and your success rate will jump.
We won’t repeat the pattern here like the ones above because… lithography and offset printing are one in the same! The words can be used interchangeably.
