Unlike traditional offset printing, which makes use of metal plates that are painstakingly created for each particular design, digital printing is as simple as opening a file, choosing the number of copies you want, and printing them out. If what you need is less than 2,000 copies, digital printing is more cost-efficient, faster, and much less complicated than offset printing. However, you do have to make sure that the design you provide is ready for printing. Here are some of the usual questions asked about this method.

4 FAQ About Digital Printing

1. What is “bleed”?

If your design has images or elements that touch the edge of the page, it is printed on a larger sheet of paper before being trimmed. Bleed is an extension of the design that goes past the target size, which ensures that no white lines will appear on the edges once the page has been cut. The industry standard is to have a minimum bleed of 3mm.

2. What is the difference between CMYK and RGB?

CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (black), while RGB stands for red, green, and blue. A common problem is that printers use CMYK but your monitor displays RGB. This results in printouts not looking the same as the ones you view on a monitor. To remedy this, you should convert the design from RGB to CMYK before editing it and having it printed.

3. What do resolution and DPI mean?

In layman’s terms, the resolution is the actual size of the printout measured in the number of horizontal and vertical pixels at 100% zoom, while dots per inch (DPI) is how clear or sharp the image is. If you’re having a design printed, you need to make sure that the DPI is at least 300 or the elements might get stretched.  

4. What is a proof?

Proofs are like samples. These are actual printouts of your design using your preferences, including resolution, color balance, margins or bleeds, and other settings. What you see is basically what you will be getting, so you need to review a proof carefully and adjust what needs to be changed accordingly.

If you want to learn more about digital printing, get in touch with Miller Quik Print in Onalaska, WI. This trusted printing company has been providing residents and businesses in La Crosse, Winona, Viroqua, and Alma with exceptional printing services for over 25 years. Give them a call at (608) 781-9465 for inquiries or visit their website to request an estimate.