If you run a business and need printed materials that will be seen by anyone outside your company, then you need to be working with a professional printing company to ensure you’re getting the highest possible quality so as to give a good first impression of your business. But commercial printing companies sometimes offer so many options that it can be difficult to figure out exactly what you need or what you’re even being offered. Here are seven printing terms you’ll want to know:
- Digital Printing
Digital printing refers to a process wherein ink is applied directly to a printing surface based on a digital file (you can compare it to your home or office printer in that sense). Digital printing used to be thought of as providing lower quality than traditional printing methods, but has progressed to the point that it delivers very high quality and flexibility.
- Offset Printing
Offset printing is the more traditional commercial printing process that transfers ink in layers onto the printing surface by using different rollers for each ink color.
- Large Format
Also called wide format printing, large format printing encompasses any projects that need to be printed on specialty printers. In general, this means any project larger than 16 inches by 20 inches. Depending on whether you’re looking for a banner or a billboard, you may have to use a specialty large format printing company, or you may be able to use a more general service.
- Turnaround
Turnaround refers to the time it will take a printing company to receive your project, do any necessary setup (such as creating custom plates and rollers, for offset processes), and actually print and deliver your final product. Digital printing tends to offer shorter turnarounds than other types of printing.
- Short/Long Runs
A “run” is the quantity of copies made for any given project. A short run has relatively few copies (fewer than 500) while a long run generally has thousands.
- Setup Fees
Setup fees are the costs you must pay to have your project accepted by a company. They are generally flat, meaning that they are not dependent on how short or long of a run you want. Setup fees are generally higher for offset printing processes, which is why so many small businesses opt for digital printing.
- Price Per Piece
The price per piece (also called the price per unit) is the price you pay for each copy of your project, over and above any setup fees. Offset printing tends to have a lower price per piece, meaning that it becomes more and more affordable the more copies you need.
What other terms do you need clarified? Ask questions or share your experience in the comments.
