Web-press inkjet printing is an excellent method for printing low-cost paperbacks. If you’ve written a novel and are looking for a cheap way of producing it, Web-press technology may suit your requirements. However, Web-press technology has its drawbacks, such as the quality of the final product is often compromised. Using web-based inkjet technology results in books with lower-resolution images, less vibrant colours, and poorer detail. Upon close inspection, you will find that images are slightly blurred and filled in. Text is often grey and washed out with irregular edges. Web-press inkjet printing is usually limited to single-colour or full-colour printing, leaving authors with fewer options for printing their books. Another setback is the lack of paper options; speciality papers and thicker stocks are not offered to clients. People may not keep your book on their bookshelf. However, not all books are meant to be kept forever.
Dry toner is a printing technology that uses toner particles to create images and text on paper. Unlike inkjet printing, which uses liquid ink, toner is a dry powder fused to the paper using heat. The result is a sharp, clear, durable print resistant to fading and smudging. One of the critical benefits of toner-based printing is its flexibility in terms of printing options. Toner-based printing allows authors to have both black and white and colour pages throughout their books, making it an affordable option for partially coloured books. This is because the cost of printing partly coloured books with toner-based printing is significantly lower than that of printing full-colour books with web-based inkjet printing.
Toner-based printing also offers a range of finishing options, such as gloss, matte, or spot gloss, which can further enhance the look and feel of the final product. Toner-based digital print is in the middle of the spectrum price-wise. However, you will pay slightly more for this technology if you want a book that will sit on a bookshelf.
When considering book printing options, it is essential to understand the trade-off between cost and quality. While web-based inkjet printing is cost-effective, it often results in lower-quality prints. On the other hand, toner-based printing and high-quality inkjet printing are more expensive but offer superior-quality photos with sharp images and vibrant colours. When choosing a book printing technology, it is essential to consider the needs and budget of the project. If quality is an issue, toner-based or high-end inkjet should be used.