17 Nov What is Offset Printing and When Do You Need It?
Offset printing, also known as offset lithography or litho-offset, the inked image on a printing plate is printed on a rubber cylinder and then transferred (i.e., offset) to paper or another medium. The elasticity of the rubber cylinder enables printing on wood, fabric, metal, leather, and rough paper.
In offset printing, the material to be printed is neither lifted above nor lowered below the surface of the printing plate, as in letterpress (as in intaglio, or gravure, printing). Instead, it is flush with the surface of the plate, classifying offset as a planographic printing process.
Modern offset printing is performed on a press with three rotating cylinders: a plate cylinder, to which the metal plate is attached; a blanket cylinder covered by a sheet of rubber; and an imprint cylinder which pushes the paper against the blanket cylinder. The plate cylinder first comes into touch with a series of moistening rollers that deposit moisture into the metal granules. The ink is subsequently rejected by the water-retaining portions and accepted by the greasy image when a succession of inking rollers runs over the plate. The inked picture is transferred to a rubber blanket, which is then offset onto paper as it travels around the impression cylinder.
Various Types of Offset Printing
Offset printing is available in web, sheet-fed, and quick-set formats.
Web offset has technology for continuous paper feeding. After the pages are printed, they are cut and divided. This kind is particularly beneficial for large orders, such as newspapers, books, and magazines.
Sheet-fed printing utilizes pre-cut sheets which makes it less suitable for big volumes. However, sheet-fed printing permits printing on a variety of materials, including paper, plastic, and metal.
The quick set is the sort of offset printing required for the highest-quality pictures, such as trademarks and journals.
What are some of the benefits of offset printing:
- Printing large volumes is cost-effective
- The lower the unit cost, the more you print
- Numerous varieties of paper with customized finishes can be used
- Available special inks include shiny and Pantone hues
- Superior printing quality, with increased clarity and color accuracy
What’s the Difference Between Offset and Digital Printing?
With the growth of digital printing, many individuals have begun to wonder: how is it different from offset printing? Digital printing does not have the plates used by offset printing, rendering it unsuitable for high-volume applications.
This indicates that digital printing is optimal for small quantities or when the printed material contains variable data. Offset printing is limited to a single design at a time. Offset printing, on the other hand, is the only viable option for high-quality printing.
This is not to imply that it is inferior, however, digital printing offers other benefits, such as:
- Reduced setup fees for shorter runs
- Print just the quantity required
- Superior quality due to improved technology for various application types
When Is Offset Printing Appropriate?
In conclusion, offset printing is an excellent choice for large-run, high-quality projects with an edition size of 400 or more. Additionally, it is great if you want a particular paper or ink. Once the procedures are in place, offset printing can be a highly cost-effective solution in the long term. However, it is impractical for smaller projects due to the high equipment costs. For small runs, go for digital printing.
When it comes to high-quality, high-volume printing, the benefits of offset printing exceed the disadvantages.
Colart Advertising offset printing in Dubai provides you and your customers with an impressive array of premium services. This service is ideal for customizing corporate things, promotional materials, and giveaways. Offset printing will undoubtedly improve the aesthetic attractiveness of your items, thrill new and existing consumers, and reinforce the reputation of your business.
