Inline vs Offline Print Finishing Equipment: Which Is Best?

Are you interested in learning the differences between inline vs offline print finishing equipment?

At Graphic Technology Group, this is a common question we receive throughout the Southeastern USA.

In this article, we will look at the different pros and cons between inline vs offline print finishing equipment.

What Is Offline Print Finishing Equipment?

Offline print finishing equipment is completely separate from the printing equipment in your shop.

This means there's no communication between the two devices and they are not connected.

On the other hand, inline print finishing equipment is physically connected to your print engine.

An inline system will print, finish, and complete the job from beginning to end.

Both of these setups are common throughout the industry, but which one is best for your needs?

Inline vs Offline: Speed & Productivity

When it comes to speed, offline finishing equipment is typically much faster than inline finishing systems.

For example, a Xerox 4127 has a maximum print speed of 125PPM.

However, when you add an inline booklet maker it reduces your print speed to 26PPM.

This means print productivity for 8-page A5 booklets will be reduced by 80% when compared to offline.

​Offline finishing equipment allows your print engine to operate at high speeds without any bottlenecks.

Inline vs Offline: Operating Costs

The initial costs for inline equipment is most likely to be higher than an offline finishing system.

In addition to install costs, inline finishing equipment tends to have higher service costs to keep them running.

​When it boils down to operating costs, offline is typically half the price of inline. Plus, it has a longer lifetime.

Inline vs Offline: Job Versatility

Printshops who produce a wide variety of formats and sizes often go with offline print finishing equipment.

Offline opens up your ability to be creative and finish orders with customized sheet sizes and setups.

Inline finishing units are limited by the sheet size and media requirements of the print engine it's connected to.

Inline vs Offline: Simplicity

Inline equipment is a good fit for shops who run fixed format jobs and don't have access to skilled operators.

It's hard to beat the simplicity of setting up the document, hitting print, and walking away to do other tasks.

These shops typically don't mind inline's lack of speed or higher costs because of the ease-of-use.

Schedule a Live Demonstration

We hope this article helped you understand the differences between inline vs offline print finishing equipment.

At Graphic Technology Group, we'd be happy to answer all of your questions and schedule a live demonstration.

Can't meet with us in-person? Visit the Morgana Virtual Showroom!

Please contact us at 678-429-3282 or visit our showroom in Kennesaw, GA for more information.