Offset Printing

Offset printing is the process I choose to achieve the best print quality and true color. This process requires more time to print verses digital printing but it is well worth the wait. It is a fascinating process involving huge high-speed machines, 2,000-pound rolls of paper, computers, metal plates, rubber blankets, ink, water, and sharp knives.

Offset lithography is the workhorse of the printing industry. It is the most common high-volume commercial printing technology. But the quality of the final product is often due to the guidance, expertise, and equipment provided by the printer. That is why I am faithful to just a few high-quality printers to handle my large variety of projects.

Process: In offset printing, the desired print image is burned onto a plate and is transferred (or offset) from the plate to a rubber blanket, and then to the printing surface. The lithographic process is based on the repulsion of oil and water. The image to be printed gets ink from ink rollers, while the non-printing area attracts a film of water, keeping the non-printing areas ink free.

Advantages of Offset

High image quality.
Works on a wide range of printing surfaces including paper, wood, cloth, metal, leather, rough paper and plastic.
The unit cost goes down as the quantity goes up.
Quality and cost-effectiveness in high volume jobs. While today’s digital presses are close to the cost/benefit ratio of offset for high quality work, they are not yet able to compete with the volume an offset press can produce.
Many modern offset presses use computer-to-plate systems as opposed to the older computer-to-film work flows, further increasing quality.