Offset printing is one of the most widely used material printing techniques. It is advantageous not only because of high quality, but also an attractive price. Find out exactly what one of the most popular printing techniques is and what the offset printing process is all about.
What is offset printing?
Offset printing is designed to transfer an image from a flat printing mold to a special printing substrate. This allows the paint to be transferred from the aluminum matrix to a given material, e.g. paper. The whole process is carried out by reflecting on the cylinder covered with a layer of rubber, which determines the way in which the paint will be laid on the intermediate cylinder and the sheet. Offset machines operate on the basis of four cylinders (the so-called CMYK), and each of them applies a different color:
- cyan,
- magenta,
- yellow,
- black.
The offset printing method uses the technique of attracting and repelling water. On the fragment on which the print is supposed to appear, the matrix is covered with an oleophilic substance so as to attract paints and repel water.
History of offset printing
In the first production, offset printing used substances such as soot, soap or wax. Around the 18th century, Alois Senefelder, in the process of writing a laundry list on a stone, discovered that the mixture attracts paint and repels water. The first offset machine, on the other hand, was created in Europe and was built by a German citizen who patented the principle of operation of this machine. The beginnings of offset printing on metal cans took place earlier than on paper and was in 1875. Subsequently, in 1904, indirect printing methods were also decided in the case of creating reflections on paper sheets. Offset compared to lithography was based on a cylinder with offset rubber, which distinguished it from other printing techniques. Thanks to him, the strength of the matrix increased, and, consequently, the high print run.
Current use of offset printing — how to use offset printing?
Offset printing invariably from the moment it was created is the most frequently chosen printing technique. The developing technology has only made it possible to modernize individual tools of the method. The optimization of offset printing consisted primarily in changing the creation of matrices in a manual way to an automatic one using computer to plate type exposure technology. The use of offset printing is now also reduced to the creation of printing forms directly on the cylinder.
The profitability of offset printing depends on the number of materials produced. It is said that its low circulation is unprofitable. Deciding on offset printing technique, it is therefore worth using it only in case of large orders. In the course of this method, it is necessary to prepare a matrix, which is associated with high initial costs. In the case of high volumes, however, it is possible to save finances, since the large print run of offset printing makes the cost of a single sheet much lower than that of other printing methods.
Offset printing technology — pros and cons
Offset printing is becoming an increasingly popular printing method. However, like any form of this type of activity, it has both disadvantages and advantages. Offset printing ensures high quality of manufactured materials. This is a very advanced technology, which is used, among other things, in the production of professional advertising materials of well-known companies. As mentioned earlier, the biggest advantages of offset printing are financial considerations. By opting for this form of printing in high volume, printing prices are reduced compared to other options. Accordingly, the most noticeable disadvantage of traditional offset printing is the fact that with a small amount of materials, it is simply not very profitable.
Digital printing and offset printing — differences between the two printing techniques
Digital printing is more appreciated by people who opt for small print runs. This is a much more advantageous option in such a case. The specificity of offset printing and the printing method of this technique make a low print run in this case completely unprofitable. What significantly differs digital printing from the discussed one is also the fact that in the case of the former there is the possibility of personalizing each individual copy. Offset printing does not provide such an opportunity. However, it is emphasized that in the case of print quality, the method using the attraction and repulsion of water is much preferable. With the offset technique, you can get very good prints with a large print run and at the same time attractive price.