Another more modern method of printing is called digital printing, and it is now in wide use at print shops around the world. Two commonly known methods that fall under this category would be Ink-Jet and Laser printing, whereby images are sent as data directly into the printer, eliminating the costly need for permanent printing plates with every project. Once the image is sent to the printer, it is either created using a laser or ink, simply and quickly.

While most homes and nearly every office will have one or more digital printers on hand, not many will have large set ones or super fine quality printers. This is where specialty printers come in.

Since the prints are perhaps the cheapest kind of product to create once the equipment is owned, orders can be as small as one item or much larger. Offset printing still offers slightly higher quality, but digital printing offers undeniably faster, more cost effective prints.