Offset Printing
Offset printing is a form of printing process used by many large commercial printers. The process goes where the inked image is merely transferred from a plate to a rubber mat, then to the printing surface. Because the ink is not directly pressed onto the paper, thus the name Offset.
Offset printing is executed on a web printing press, one which use large rolls of continuously fed paper, or perhaps a sheet fed press that uses sheets of paper. Both forms of presses produce printed materials that may be cut to size right after printing. Offset printing utilizes the latest technology in printing, including computers which assist in design. Computers are also utilized to generate instructions for the mixture of ink colors together with their distribution to the paper.
Offset printing works since water plus the inks applied to the printing process don't ever mix. The images being produced are designed on the computer after which "burned" onto metal plates using a chemical developing process very similar to photography. The metal plates are dampened with water that sticks to the areas without images. The ink is applied next, one color at a time, where it stands to the locations with images.
Offset printing is ideal for cost-effectively generating significant amounts of high quality prints with an economically method that would need minimal maintenance.
Many benefits of offset printing in comparison to other printing techniques include:
Consistent high image quality. Offset printing delivers sharp and clean images and type easier than letterpress printing because the rubber blanket conforms to the texture of the printing surface. Quick and easy production of printing plates. Prolonged printing plate life than on direct litho presses since there is no direct contact between the plate and the printing surface. Effectively developed plates operating in conjunction with optimized inks and fountain solution can exceed run
lengths of a million impressions. Offset printing is definitely the most affordable solution to produce high quality printing in commercial printing volumes.
Drawbacks of offset printing in comparison to other printing techniques include:
Slightly lesser image quality when compared with rotogravure or photogravure printing.
Time period and cost associated with producing plates and printing press setup. For this reason, very small quantity printing jobs are now progressing to digital offset equipment. PrintFirm.com
