All formats can be realized in both offset and digital printing. You can choose the ideal method which depends on the volume, degree of personalization and urgency of printing.
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General information
Offset printing is usually used for larger print runs (20,000 and more) and is a bit cheaper for higher volumes. For personalized elements, the standard and premium versions are available for offset printing. The former allows the personalization of the address, the coupon code and the address by inkjet. With premium laser personalization, you can create rich elements such as personalize the body text (black only) or print barcodes.
A mailing with one of our standard formats (cover letter, DIN long and maxi postcards) in offset printing has a standard printing time of 5 – 6 days with us before it is handed over to the post office.
Digital print requires less time in the implementation and allows a more comprehensive personalization – even 1:1 image personalization. This is also why it is so popular with our customers – it allows agile, highly personalised mailings without increased effort, starting at only 500 mailings. Different mailings can be combined in a single automation, and different products can be sent to the customers in one envelope, providing a well-rounded personal experience.
A mailing with one of our standard formats (cover letter, DIN long and maxi postcards) in digital printing has a standard printing time of 3 days with us before it is handed over to the post office.
About the Printing methods
In offset printing, the print image is not printed directly on the print object, but first transferred to a printing plate which then prints it on paper. In this case the printing plate acts as a stencil. Since the stencil must first be created individually, a setup time is necessary. Depending on the printing volume, paper sheets or paper rolls are used. After printing they are cut to size.
By comparison digital printing is direct as the image is transferred to paper without any preparatory work. This makes it possible to flexibly print each sheet individually, which offers extensive personalization. Since no stencil has been made in advance, the preparation time is less.
Frequently asked Questions
| Digital printing | Offset printing | |
| Is colour personalization possible? | Yes, any color is possible. The only important thing is that it is already correctly created in your print copies and is also displayed in the correct color in the sample. How to create your data correctly with regard to personalization, you can read here. | No, unfortunately only black personalization is possible. |
| Can multiple colors be used in the personalization elements? | Yes, you can use as many colors as you need. For example, if you want the salutation to be in black and the voucher code to be in red, that's no problem. | No, unfortunately only black personalization is possible. |
| Can the mailing be printed and personalized on both sides? | Yes, both are possible. | To be printed: yes. Personalization: Depending on the format - Important information for a postcard: This can only be personalized on one side. Letters and self-mailers, however, can be personalized on both sides. |
| Are there additional costs for double-sided printing? | There is no price difference for postcards, since both sides are always printed anyway. For envelope mailings (cover letter in envelope), the price is already more relevant, since printing on both sides is somewhat more expensive. You can always configure more details via the price calculator before booking to get an overview. | Double-sided personalization is slightly more expensive than single-sided personalization. Again, you can always use the price calculator to find out about price differences. |
| Are there additional costs for personalization on both sides? | Since digital printing is printed and personalized "in one go", there are no additional costs here, regardless of whether one or two-sided personalization is used. | Double-sided personalization is slightly more expensive than single-sided personalization. Exact prices for this can also be obtained again via the price calculator on the platform. |