When it comes to standard office printers and multifunction devices (MFPs/MFDs), laser printers remain the most cost-effective and efficient. If you recall from our blog debating this topic, Laser Printer vs Inkjet: Which is the Better Fit for Your Business?, it was decided that the speed, quality and capacity of laser printing make it more efficient for use in any office environment.

This fact hasn’t changed. But, what is changing in the printing industry is the technology used for large print jobs. Traditionally, at the production print level, digital or offset printing presses are used to produce large quantity prints, i.e. brochures, pamphlets, postcards, etc. Today, inkjet technology is entering the production print space for the first time. So, let’s look at the differences of production print equipment, and discuss the features and benefits of industrial inkjet presses, the print industry’s latest innovation.

Different Technologies, Different Tasks

The primary difference to keep in mind when comparing offset presses vs. laser printers vs. inkjet devices is the technology used in each to produce quality prints. Inkjet printers spray ink onto the page through a set of tiny nozzles, creating microscopic dots on the page in the process. Laser printers use high heat to fuse toner to the paper. And finally, offset presses apply ink to large metal plates, which transfers the image to the paper.

At the production print level, where high volume prints need to be produced, each technology has a place.

• Laser Printer: Laser production printers remain ideal when producing the same exact print over-and-over again. Laser printers work well for average quality prints produced on standard paper in a quick time frame. For example, if you have one memo you’d like to send to your customers with their next invoice, a laser printer would be a great option.
• Offset Press: Offset presses are best for very high quantity and quality prints of the exact same document. These machines can also handle various paper stocks so you have the option to produce your print on heavier or lighter weight material, while retaining the quality. Offset printing is the most cost-effective route for large quantities of identical prints.
• Inkjet Press: Industrial inkjet printing takes the mass production of prints to an advanced level, offering versioning, otherwise known as variable data printing, capabilities. For more insight into the demand for this technology, read Konica Minolta’s blog Why We Need the Digital Inkjet Press. 

Industrial Inkjet Printing

According to the National Association for Printing Leadership, inkjet presses are currently ideal options for business involved in the production of publications, direct mailers and other transactional prints. And, in order for an industrial inkjet press to remain cost effective, print projects quantities need to fall between 500 and 10,000 sheets.

When these qualifications are met, along with the desire or need to personalize the prints to recipients, industrial inkjet technology is a perfect solution. For example, if an automotive dealer wanted to send a postcard to all of its customers announcing new inventory, there are a number of ways it could create a more personalized announcement through industrial inkjet printing. Based on the data they have on their customers, they could send a postcard that is unique to each data set, i.e. age, gender, previous purchase model, previous purchase color, time lapsed since previous purchase and so on. 

Industrial inkjet presses will not replace the devices (production printers using laser technology or offset printing presses) used to produce large quantities of the same prints. This new technology will supplement these methods by providing an opportunity to do large volume variable data printing quickly and cost-effectively.

For more information about these production print devices, offset presses vs. laser printers vs. inkjet machines, request to talk to a copier printer specialist.