Direct-to-plate and digital printing have been used by people for a long time now in printing low quantity but full color printing jobs. This full color but low quantity type of prints are the ones done in CMYK. Since many printing companies have quotas in thee print jobs that they cater to, these types of printing have become most useful for those works that fell below the required quantity. These types of printing are created to do just that. What is the difference between these two?
Direct-to-plate printing is also known as the computer-to-plate printing. This printing does just that, from the computer directly to the plate. In the traditional printing, film is produced to the image setter and then to a metal printing plate. The plate then goes on to the press and used to make the printed material. In direct-to-plate printing, the printing plate comes directly from the computer file which does not anymore utilize the use of a film. The production of films has been known to cost a lot money and consumes time even in the printing of small quantities only. That is why this type of printing became popular especially for those who want to save time and money in producing low quantity projects. The only weakness direct-to-plate printing has is that in not using films while processing prints, you cannot anymore check or proof-read these prints before printing. You can only get a digital proof that is close to that of the film proof but not exactly of the same kind.
Digital printing is considered as closer to color photocopying than to printing. In digital printing, the prints are made directly from the computer file without using films or plates. This method is best useful in printing lower quantities and customized prints compared to those of the direct-to-plate printing. As with the first type of printing, this can only print in CMYK files. Just like in photocopying, you get to pay the same price for the same quantity. Digital printing is the most effective way in having quality prints in the most affordable way. This printing style can even give photocopying a stiff competition in getting it in colors.
There are more ways of full color printing now that is best capable to the kind and the need that people have in printing. With these technologies, printing is made more affordable and easier to do. It is now up to the people to decide which is best suitable for their printing needs. They only have to pick their choice.
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About the author:
The author got the flair for reading and writing when she received a subscription of the school newsletter in kindergarten. She got her first article published on that same newsletter in the third grade.
