Digital printing is printing straight from a digital file, with no plates or screens. The printer reads the file and puts ink or toner exactly where the image needs it. That makes it fast to set up and ideal for short runs, while offset and screen printing still win on cost at very high volumes.
- Plates or screens
- None
- Setup cost
- Low
- Best for
- Short runs, personalization
- Apparel examples
- DTF, DTG, sublimation
How digital printing works
In traditional printing, you make a physical master first. Offset printing uses metal plates. Screen printing uses a mesh screen for each color. Once the master exists, you can print thousands of copies quickly, but making it takes time and money.
Digital printing skips the master. The file goes from the computer to the printer, and the printer builds the image directly, dot by dot or line by line. Change the file, and the next print changes. No new plate, no new screen.
Digital vs offset vs screen printing
| Digital | Offset | Screen printing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup | Send the file | Make plates | Burn a screen per color |
| Short runs | Cost effective | Expensive per piece | Expensive per piece |
| Long runs | Higher unit cost | Very low unit cost | Low unit cost |
| Full color | No extra cost | Four plates, standard | Cost rises per color |
| Personalization | Easy | Not practical | Not practical |
Offset printing
Offset is the workhorse for magazines, catalogs and big brochure runs. Ink goes from a plate to a rubber blanket, then onto paper. Plates cost money and press setup takes time, but once it's running, each extra sheet is very cheap.
Screen printing
Screen printing pushes ink through a mesh stencil. It's common on shirts, posters and signs. Each color needs its own screen, so a five-color design means five screens. It's durable and economical for large runs of one design. Our post on DTF vs screen printing compares the two on apparel.
Common types of digital printing
- Inkjet. Tiny droplets of liquid ink. Covers everything from desktop printers to large photo and production presses.
- Toner (laser). Powdered toner is fused to the page with heat. Common in offices and in digital presses for short-run brochures, postcards and booklets.
- Wide format. Large inkjet printers for banners, posters, vinyl, wall graphics and vehicle wraps.
- DTF (direct to film). Prints color and white ink onto film, adds powder adhesive, and cures it into a heat transfer for garments. See what a DTF transfer is.
- DTG (direct to garment). An inkjet that prints straight onto a shirt, usually cotton.
- Sublimation. Dye ink printed on paper, then turned to gas with heat so it bonds into polyester. More in DTF vs sublimation.
Pros and cons of digital printing
Pros
- Low setup. No plates or screens, so one copy is practical.
- Fast turnaround. Less prep means jobs start sooner.
- Full color for free. Photos and gradients cost the same as one color.
- Variable data. Every piece can be different: names, numbers, addresses, versions.
- Easy changes. Fix a typo and reprint without remaking anything.
Cons
- Unit cost at volume. On very long runs, offset or screen printing usually costs less per piece.
- Exact spot colors. Analog methods can mix a specific ink. Digital builds color from a set of inks, so some brand colors are approximations.
- Special inks and effects. Some finishes are easier with analog methods.
Where DTF fits
DTF is digital printing for apparel. The design prints straight from your file, so there are no screens and no per-color charges. A full-color design costs the same to print as a one-color logo of the same size.
That's why it suits small brands, events, teams and one-offs. You can mix many different designs on one gang sheet, change a name on every shirt, and reorder ten pieces without a setup fee. For a single design on hundreds of shirts, screen printing can make sense, which is what our sister shop Infynite Studios handles.
We print DTF in-house in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, for as low as $0.03 per square inch with no minimums.
FAQ
Is digital printing the same as inkjet?
Inkjet is one type of digital printing. Toner-based laser printing is another. Both print straight from a file.
Is digital printing cheaper than offset?
For short runs, usually yes, because there are no plates. For very long runs, offset usually costs less per piece.
Is DTF digital printing?
Yes. DTF prints directly from a digital file onto film, with no screens or plates.
Print your designs digitally
Upload your art, build a gang sheet, and get ready to press DTF transfers. Orders placed before 1PM PT ship the same business day.