Keeping Up With The Pace
A blog by Pacer Packaging
Custom Label Printing: Digital vs. Offset for Quality, Cost & Turnaround
When it comes to producing high-quality product labels, one of the most important decisions you’ll make isn’t just about size, shape, or design—it’s how your labels are printed. The two most common printing methods in the industry are digital printing and offset printing. Each has its strengths, and choosing the right one can directly impact your cost, turnaround time, and the way your brand is perceived.
So, which printing method is better for your business?
Let’s break it down. No jargon, no fluff—just the facts, pros, and real-world use cases to help you make an informed choice.
Understanding the Basics: What’s the Difference?
At a glance, both digital and offset printing are used to create professional, high-quality labels. But how they do it is very different.
Offset printing uses plates to transfer ink onto a rubber blanket, which then presses the image onto the label material. It’s the long-standing standard for mass production and exceptional color accuracy.
Digital printing, on the other hand, uses digital files and prints directly onto the material using toner or inkjet technology. It’s more modern, faster to set up, and allows for variable data and short runs without added setup costs.
They may sound similar, but when you’re putting together custom labels for your brand—especially in industries like food & beverage, supplements, cosmetics, or cannabis—those differences matter a lot.
Offset Printing
Offset Printing: The Gold Standard for Volume & Precision
Offset printing has been around for more than a century, and there’s a reason it’s still widely used: it delivers ultra-consistent quality and is extremely cost-effective for large-scale print jobs.
With offset, once the plates are made and press is set up, you can print thousands—or even millions—of labels with flawless consistency. The per-label cost drops significantly as volume increases, making it an excellent option for brands with high-volume SKUs or products with longer shelf life.
Offset printing really shines when:
• You need large quantities of the same label
• Your branding relies on exact color matching
• You want complex color blends or gradients
• Cost per unit matters for scale
Offset also offers Pantone color matching, which ensures that your logo or brand color appears exactly the same across every label, every time—something that’s important for luxury or highly recognizable brands.
However, offset does come with longer lead times and more upfront costs (like creating plates), so it’s not always the best fit for quick-turn jobs or startups testing a new product line.
Digital Printing
Digital Printing: The Flexible Favorite
Let’s start with digital printing, which has taken off over the past decade thanks to its versatility, speed, and ability to handle short runs.
Why brands love it:
Digital printing is ideal for projects that require multiple SKUs, fast turnarounds, or frequent changes in label design. Since it doesn’t require printing plates, the setup is minimal—just send your files, and the press is ready to go.
This makes digital a perfect match for brands that:
• Are launching new products
• Need labels in small to medium quantities
• Want to test different designs
• Use variable data printing (think: barcodes, batch numbers, personalized info)
You’ll also get stunning color accuracy, great image resolution, and the flexibility to print just what you need—without overcommitting to large inventories.
If your brand operates in a fast-moving, ever-evolving space, digital printing often becomes the go-to choice. Plus, when working with a print partner like Pacer Packaging, your digital labels can still include high-end finishes like laminates, varnishes, and foil accents.
What About Quality?
Here’s where it gets interesting: both methods produce high-quality labels—but they do it in different ways.
Digital printing produces labels with sharp detail and vibrant color. It’s especially good for photographic images, gradients, and complex graphics.
Offset printing, meanwhile, offers unmatched precision and consistency. If you’re printing millions of labels for a national product, offset will likely give you tighter control over each unit’s exact look.
For most small to midsize brands, digital printing is more than enough to get professional results. If you’re working with a quality print partner, your customers probably won’t even notice the difference—but you will in cost and flexibility.
Cost Considerations
Here’s the bottom line: digital is cost-effective for short runs, and offset becomes cheaper at high volumes.
With digital printing, you avoid upfront costs like plate-making and color calibration. This means your minimum order quantity can be lower, which is perfect for limited editions, test batches, or products with frequent design updates.
Offset has higher initial setup costs, but once it’s up and running, the cost per unit is much lower—especially for runs in the tens or hundreds of thousands.
So if your label order is small or mid-size and changes often, digital wins. But if you’ve locked in your design and need tens of thousands of consistent units? Offset might be the better long-term investment.
Turnaround Time & Flexibility
Digital printing is faster. It’s that simple.
Because there’s no setup time for plates, your project can often go into production the same day the files are approved. That’s a huge benefit for brands with tight launch timelines or last-minute changes.
Offset printing takes longer to set up but can be faster once running at full scale. It’s like comparing a sports car and a freight train—one is built for speed, the other for long hauls.
If agility matters to your supply chain or marketing strategy, digital gives you more flexibility.
So, Which Should You Choose?
There’s no universal winner—only the method that best fits your needs. Most of our clients at Pacer Packaging actually use a hybrid approach—starting with digital for early-stage testing or seasonal lines, then switching to offset when demand scales up.
Go digital if:
• You need multiple SKUs or short runs
• You want fast turnarounds
• Your labels will change frequently
• You’re testing a new product
• You need personalized or variable data labels
Go offset if:
• You’re printing in bulk
• Your color accuracy needs to be flawless
• Your design is consistent across long time periods
• You’re scaling an already established product line
Final Thoughts
Your labels aren’t just product identifiers—they’re a part of your brand story. Whether you’re selling snacks, skincare, supplements, or something completely niche, how your label looks, feels, and holds up in real-world use matters more than ever.
Choosing between digital and offset isn’t just a technical decision—it’s a strategic one. And if you’re not sure which is right for your brand, the best move is to work with a print partner who can walk you through the pros and cons based on your specific goals.
At Pacer Packaging, we help you weigh your options, understand your materials, and make smart print decisions that align with your brand’s growth—not just your next product run.
Request a free, competitive quote today.
We’re real people and we’re super easy to work with!
Call us: (888) 305-3144
Email Us: info@pacerprint.com
Website: www.pacerprint.com
Call us: (888) 305-3144 Email Us: info@pacerprint.com Website: www.pacerprint.com
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4101 Guardian St. Simi Valley, CA 93603
Phone Number
888-305-3144
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