Offset
Printing

Offset printing, known as offset lithography, is a traditional yet widely practiced printing technique that relies on a series of intermediary steps to transfer ink from a printing plate to the final printing surface. The process commences with the creation of a metal plate, typically aluminum, bearing the reversed image of what is to be printed. This plate is then dampened with water, and due to the chemical properties of the plate, water adheres to non-image areas while the image areas, being oil-receptive, attract ink. The ink is applied to the plate via rollers, adhering only to the image portions.

From here, the inked image is moved to a rubber blanket cylinder. This intermediate step is crucial as it serves to transfer the image from the plate to the final printing surface. The inked image on the blanket cylinder is then expertly pressed onto the chosen substrate, such as paper or cardstock, delivering a high-quality and precise reproduction of the original image.

Offset printing boasts numerous merits, such as its capacity for producing images with remarkable clarity, sharpness, and color accuracy. It excels particularly in large print runs due to its consistent and efficient process. The diversity of paper types and finishes that can be used further adds to its appeal. While offset printing involves an initial setup phase that includes creating printing plates, which can be time-consuming and costly for small print runs, it remains the method of choice for extensive commercial printing projects where achieving superior quality, uniformity, and cost-effectiveness are paramount.