Nowadays, digital and offset printing reign in the printing world. At Booklets Print we have decided to use offset printing. But what is it and why did we choose this technique?

WHAT IS IT?

According to the definition of Britannica, the offset printing corresponds to a “printing technique in which the inked image on a printing plate is printed on a rubber cylinder and then transferred to paper or other material“. Generally used for the impression of book, catalogs, leaflets etc… It can also be employed to print packagings on cardboard supports for example.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The first step is the production of the offsets plates. The visuals are engraved by laser directly on the aluminum plates. Each plate corresponds to a color. These plates are then rolled up on cylinders, the ink will be deposited on the aluminum plate only where the visual was engraved in order to make a stamp effect. Thanks to this process, no more smudges! The next step consists in depositing the ink on the plate on a cylinder covered with a rubber called the “blanchet“. Finally, to finish this last step, the color is transferred to the paper which passes between the blancher and a last cylinder serving as support.

To better understand how it works, watch the video below.

Of course, our experts supervise every step of the process to ensure that there are no glitches during this realization. Once all the pages are printed, they can be sent for finishing.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Offset printing offers a very good quality of printing but it is true that the manufacture of the plates has a certain cost. That’s why it’s better to print a fairly large quantity so that the cost is not too excessive. You will have understood, like any good process, there are advantages and disadvantages

The advantages

  • It allows a high quality printing, largely superior to digital presses.
  • This technique is adapted for very large print runs and/or high paginations.
  • It offers a good reactivity for urgent orders, in particular thanks to the HUV offset presses.

The disadvantages

  • Conventional offset printing requires the know-how of the operators to avoid the possible problems specific to this technology (smearing, fizzing etc.).
  • Uncompetitive price on very low runs because the cost of consumables is high (plates, fount solutions, blanket and ink).

You have a brochure to print? Or just an idea for a project? Now that offset printing has no secrets for you, go to our online calculator and if there is still a shadow to be cleared, click here to contact us.