The run type says how the job is printed. Pick it with the Digital | Offset switch in the run bar. It works with every method: an offset run can be N-up, True shape or Strips.
Digital#
Digital is the default. Every piece is printed exactly as many times as ordered, and the layouts are ranked by the fewest printed sheets (on a roll: the shortest length).
When several sheets come out the same, the layout shows them once as a form printed a number of times, such as "Form 2 × 84". That is one imposed page to print 84 times, not 84 pages. Max sheets on the Media card caps how many sheets a digital sheet run may use.
Offset#
Offset plans plates. Each plate is one form, printed a run length, and every plate needs its own makeready. An offset plan may produce a little more of an item than ordered (overrun) or, if you allow it, a little less (underrun), because every copy on a plate prints the same number of times.
- A plan is made for each plate count, from 1 plate up to Max plates, and listed side by side in the Report. Fewer plates mean less makeready; more plates mean less overrun.
- Plans are ranked by cost: printed sheets × sheet cost + plates × plate cost. Without costs, the plan with the fewest printed sheets wins, and makeready counts for every plate.
- An item's pieces stay within its overrun and underrun caps. When no plan fits, the run says why (see Troubleshooting runs).
Offset runs need sheets, and take at most 40 artworks. With True shape and more than 10 artworks, allow at least 30 seconds. The run warns you when the time is shorter.
The plate and press settings live on the Press run card of the Production tab: see Offset press runs.
When to switch#
After a digital run whose best layout needs 200 sheets or more, the run bar suggests "Large run: try Offset." Long runs of a few items usually cost less on plates. Short runs, many different items, or exact quantities point to Digital.
Switching keeps both results apart#
Digital and offset layouts are checked against their own inputs. Switching the run type doesn't make the other type's layouts out of date, but changing the press run fields or costs does make offset layouts out of date. The Report marks offset rows with "· Offset" after the method name.