Offset vs Digital
Card Printing for Small Art Businesses
Why artists no longer need to gamble on big print runs
If you’re an artist, illustrator, or photographer, printing greeting cards is rarely the problem.
Printing too many is.
For decades, the default advice was offset (litho) printing — large runs, lower unit cost, and professional results. But that model was built for publishers, not independent creatives.
Let’s break down offset vs digital card printing, and why digital is now the smarter choice for small art businesses.
What is Offset (Litho) Printing?
Offset printing uses metal plates and large presses. It excels at consistency and scale.
Pros
Very low cost per card at high volumes
Excellent colour consistency on long runs
Cons (for artists)
High minimum order quantities (often 500–1,000+ cards)
Significant upfront cost
Unsold stock ties up cash and storage space
Risky for new designs, seasonal work, or testing ideas
Bottom line:
Offset printing only makes sense when you already know a design will sell.
What is Digital Card Printing?
Digital printing skips plates entirely. Your artwork is printed directly from a file.
Pros
Print from just one card
No setup costs
Ideal for short runs, limited editions, and testing
Easy reorders and design variations
Cons
Slightly higher unit cost at very large volumes (irrelevant for most artists)
Bottom line:
Digital printing matches how artists actually create, test, and sell work.
Offset vs Digital: The Honest Verdict
| Situation | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Testing new designs | Digital |
| Small batches | Digital |
| Limited editions | Digital |
| Seasonal artwork | Digital |
| Proven high-volume bestseller | Offset (maybe) |