Offset printing versus digital printing

When delving into the world of digital reproduction/printing, (family) historians should be sure exactly what they are paying for.  A large percentage of “digital print” that is being published is simply being produced on a digital based copy machine.  While today’s digital machines (of any type) are much better than the copy machines even 15 years ago, this format hasn’t been tested by time.  Much like any E-book format you can get today – it cannot be considered archival quality because of this.  There are some true digital printing presses – accepted and tested printing processes that receive their printable image directly from a computer rather than plate, film, or other media.  These are as archival as their printing process that has been tested over time.