How Offset printing Works


by Carla SanGaspar - Date: 2007-03-07 - Word Count: 543 Share This!

Offset printing is a method that most commercial printer applies. This process is said to be standard yet the quality or the final product still underlies on the guidance, expertise and equipment provided by the printer. Defining the term offset printing - it simply pertains to a very simple principle where the ink and water don't mix. The images and words are placed on plates, dampened first by water then followed by the ink. The ink then adheres to the image area, water to the non-image area. From this process the images are now transferred for a rubber blanket and from the rubber blanket to paper. Sequentially the process is called offset because, the image does not go directly to the paper from the platesTaking a deeper understanding about offset printing, the following are the steps on how offset printing works.

Step 1 - The Pre-press ProductionThis process requires all your documents be placed on printing plates. In this step there are two ways involved on the process. Older systems involve producing film negatives and are largely created from digital files in an image setter. Images from the negatives are transferred to printing plates in much the same way as photographs are developed. The lights used on it are measured in order to allow it to pass through the film negatives to expose the printing plate. When the plates are exposed to light, a chemical reaction occurs that allows the ink receptive to be activated. This now then results to the transfer of the image from the negative to the plate.

The newer system - the difference of this stage to the older system is that, it does away with the film stage and plates are produced directly from improved image setting systems. The color applied requires a separate plate and if colored photographs are required the four primary colors are used - cyan, magenta, yellow and black.

Step 2 - The Press RunOn this step the printing process is used to print the majority of printed paper articles is done using the offset printing presses. One good thin of using the offset printer is that it could print at high speeds and can use large sheets of paper. The inking processAs mentioned earlier that the underlying principle of offset printing is that water and ink don't mix. The inks are distributed evenly to the plates through a series of rollers. On the press, the plates are dampened first by water rollers then ink rollers. The rollers distribute the ink from the fountain onto the plates.

Step 3 - Bindery This is the last step of the offset process the bindery is where the product is completed. The stacked sheets of paper are cut and put together so that the pages fall in the correct order. The pages are bound together by glue or staples. Basically the final component of the process is done with a blade which trims the paper to the final delivered size. Soon as the product are done on this step the materials are then delivered to the end destination.

Conceived by the significant steps of the printing process through offset printing would results to a more flexible and attention grabbing prints. With this you are highly satisfied with the product produced.

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This writing provides information to the readers about Offset Printing processes and the products and services provided with the use of this printing method. To know more about Offset Printing you may visit Full Color Offset Printing Company - U Printing Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles

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