In vs. off (line) — A "Fight" to the Finish

But the finishing business is good these days—booming, in some markets, namely direct mail—and disadvantages inherent in each technology are simply absorbed into the operation and accepted as part of the nature of the business itself.

Speed vs. Value-added
For example, web offset printers that want to run at full press speeds and whose products do not require complicated finishing, such as binding, diecutting or labeling, are likely to use in-line systems. Those more complicated applications are best left to off-line systems, where the process can be performed at the speed intended, without tying up press time.