Printing and typesetting
Printing is a process for reproducing text and image, typically with ink on paper using a printing press. It is often carried out as a large-scale industrial process, and is an essential part of publishing and transaction printing.
Ordering print can get pretty complex, what with choosing the right artwork, the right type of materials and ink, the right finishing and binding – not to mention choosing the right printer to help you make all these thousands of little decisions.
Digital printing
Digital printing is the reproduction of digital images on physical surface, such as common or photographic paper, film, cloth, plastic, etc.
It can be differentiated from litho printing in many ways, some of which are;
Every impression made onto the paper can be different, as opposed to making several hundred or thousand impressions of the same thing from one set of plates, as in traditional methods.
The Ink or Toner does not absorb into the paper, as does conventional Ink, but forms a layer on the surface.
It generally requires less waste in terms of chemicals used and paper wasted in set up.
It is excellent for rapid prototyping, or small print runs which means that it is more accessible to a wider range of designers.