June 30, 2025

The “AND Era:” Combining the Power of Offset and Digital Printing

Written By: Will Lubaroff
and-era

The global print industry is entering what NAPCO Research has dubbed the “AND Era”:  a strategic phase where printers no longer choose between offset and digital printing, but instead leverage the strengths of both methods working in tandem to support each other.

In a recent study sponsored by Kodak and featured in Printing Impressions, researchers found that commercial printers across the U.S., Germany and Japan are adopting hybrid production models to serve a broader range of customer needs more efficiently and creatively.

You can read Printing Impression’s article on the “AND Era” here: piworld.com/article/succeeding-in-the-and-era-of-print-how-printers-are-embracing-offset-and-digital/

Walsworth’s Approach to the “AND Era”

At Walsworth, we understand the value of combining offset and digital printing; not as competing technologies, but as complementary tools. Our customers span a wide spectrum of industries and project types, from long-run catalogs and books to short-run, personalized publications. Meeting that range of needs requires smart application of both offset and digital capabilities.

Offset Printing for Quality and Scale

For high-volume jobs that demand consistency, color accuracy, and the lowest cost per piece, Walsworth’s offset production remains the gold standard. Whether you’re producing thousands of magazines or a complex book project, our offset presses deliver the speed, reliability and quality you expect.

Digital Printing for Personalization and Speed

For lower-quantity, quick-turn or variable-data projects, our digital presses shine. We use digital print technology to help customers produce on-demand versions of their publications, test marketing content or target niche audiences with personalized messaging, all while reducing waste and optimizing inventory.

Unified Workflows and Smart Integration

We’ve invested in workflow automation and developed intelligent scheduling systems that allow us to fully leverage our offset and digital capabilities. That means better turnaround times, fewer production headaches and a more responsive service experience for our customers.

Explore Walsworth’s Offset and Digital Capabilities

The “AND Era” isn’t about choosing between digital or offset – it’s about using both more strategically. At Walsworth, we’re proud to offer the capabilities, expertise and technology infrastructure to help our customers thrive in this new phase of printing.If you’re looking for a print partner that understands how to blend craftsmanship with innovation, let’s talk.

* This article was developed with assistance from OpenAI’s GPT-4o large language AI model.

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