PHOTO-QUALITY CUSTOM PRINTING

Digital printing changed the landscape of custom printing in much the same way that digital cameras changed the photography industry. By sending images directly to the printer from digitized files, setup time is reduced in comparison to offset or screen printing. It also allows for a greater option of substrates, very realistic photo-quality images, variable data printing (sequential numbering and barcode), and shorter runs.

Full color is achieved through 4-color process printing. And, although only four colors are used (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) CMYK makes just short of a kazillion colors. When you want a realistic rendering of a photograph on a decal, 4-color process is the only way to get it. By blending and overlapping just those four colors of transparent ink, remarkably detailed shades, hues, highlights and shadows can be attained, adding to the realism of an image. What you end up with is a decal that is a virtual copy of the original photograph.

Because the pictures are so life-like, full color digital printing works especially well on food, animals, people, and scenery. Printing these images on vinyl decals makes them more than a vehicle for advertising; they become little works of art. That may sound like a stretch, but it's not. The better your decals look, the more likely consumers are to stick them on something they own (in the case of promotional decals) or buy the product shown (when used at the point of purchase).

Need more proof at how life-like decal images can be when printed by the right printer with the right equipment and experience? Take a look at this 18x9.5 decal we printed for the Big Life Foundation. The amount of detail in the actual decal is amazing. Looks just like a photograph.

VARIABLE DATA PRINTING

Another big advantage to digital printing is the ability to print variable data, as shown in the decals for the SMS Ford® 302 Mustang® below. What that means is that each decal can have different information such as consecutive numbering, bar codes, etc. That kind of customization isn't an option with UV offset or screen printing. If you need decals with sequential numbers on them, digital printing is definitely the way to go.

DIGITAL DECALS HAVE A QUICKER TURN-AROUND TIME

Digital printing also provides an incredibly quick turn-around time. Without having to make screens used in screen printing or plates used in offset printing, turnaround time is quicker than ever. All we need is the digital file of your artwork. Another thing to consider is that digital decals are also less expensive for short runs.

HOW DIGITAL DECALS CAN SAVE YOU MONEY

Sometimes you just don't need a long run. In those cases, digital decals are a cost-effective alternative to screen printing or UV offset. Sans the setup fees and die charges, digitally printed decals save both time and money. Because short-run digital decals are plotter-cut, there is no need for a custom die.

On the other hand, if we'll be cutting over 500 decals, it's still better to pony up the money for a custom die. It's faster, it can be reused for reorders, so the cost gets amortized over the long run.

WHEN IS IT MORE COST-EFFECTIVE TO HAVE YOUR FULL-COLOR DECALS DIGITALLY PRINTED?

So how do you know when digitally printed decals are a better option than screen printing or UV offset? It's a numbers game. For example, let's say you need 200 each of five different decals. No brainer: Full-color digital printing. On the other hand, if you need 5000 of the same decal, screen or UV offset printing is the better deal.

What if it falls somewhere in the middle? What if the size of the decal is taken into account? If you're not sure, call us. We'll walk you through it.