Understanding the Differences Between Digital Printing and Offset Printing

You can examine all content, text, graphics, solids, etc. with high magnification, and look for the clarity around edges for output resolution. Typically digital output devices use a dpi resolution less than platemaking devices used in offset printing. 300-600dpi for digital, 1200-2540dpi for offset

Another thought came to mind that shoud be mentioned: Much digital device printing employs stochastic screening and so when you look at it up close with a loupe, you will not see orderly dot rosettes, but seemingly random sputterings of ink. Stochastic is not really random, of course, but it is not trying to recreate halftone dot rosettes.

If you have a magnifying loupe, you can look closely. Many offset printing 4C jobs will show a halftone dot rosette pattern that is very regular. Digital printing devices can look more irregular. Digital printing toners are really finely milled synthetic resin plastic that gets melted onto the paper versus most commercial ink printing being dominated by soy-based ink. They smell different.

Interesting question that many may question my answer. I work pdf for offset exactly the same way as for digital printing - CMYK, 300 dpi with bleed. This always guarantees me the best result. This is if we are talking about professional digital printing.