Offset printing: what is it?

Many people know the concept of printing. Many even have an idea of how newspapers or magazines are printed. However, such a notion as offset printing has come into use quite recently.

In this article we will consider that this is offset printing and will understand the features of the technology of this type of printing.

What is offset printing?

Offset printing uses non-contact printing. In polygraphy, this method involves the use of a form on which elements with spaces are present. For example, black and white photographs, as well as maps.

At the heart of the principle of the operation of this press liesThe use of ink that falls on paper, while passing through two contacts with the printed form. Offset printing is such a seal that involves applying ink without contact with paper, but using a special cylinder. This cylinder is called offset.

In offset printing, two or more shafts are used.

One shaft is offset, another shaft is calledshaft shape. The number of form rolls depends on the complexity of the image. The shape, as a rule, is a plate. This plate is applied to the photosensitive coating. The plate itself consists of an aluminum alloy.
The paint is applied to the molded product. At the end of development, all the lighted parts of the form attract water and repel any substance that has an oily consistency.
As the rolls rotate, each of them is washed with water. Due to the rotation, the printing form is transferred to the blanket shaft, and then falls onto the paper.

Advantages and disadvantages

At the moment in the printing industry, there are different technologies for transferring images to paper. Like any other printing, the offset printing form has its pros and cons.

The pluses are:

very high print quality;
reduction in the cost of production due to the low cost of the process;
print a large print run in the shortest time.

To print cons is the needprints, as well as printing processing. That is, proofing, printing forms, color balance and so on. All this makes it impossible to fulfill urgent orders (for several hours). In addition, offset printing is expensive relatively small runs. Therefore, printing offset printing in small print runs is simply unprofitable.

Varieties of offset printing

The most popular and at the same time advancedThe direction in color printing is digital offset. What is offset? The essence of this method of printing is reduced to applying to a special form, which is installed in the printing machine (machine). Also popular is the traditional offset printing, called a photofacet. And the last type of printing can be called beneficial for a relatively small replication. If it is a question of printing of large circulations, digital printing is more profitable.

Also, offset printing is divided into sheetand roll. As follows from the name of these methods, sheet printing involves the use of one-piece sheets, and the roll-up paper involves paper that rolls into a roll.

Learn more about everything in this section of our Definitions.