Offset Printing: Everything You Need to Know About
Do you know that more than 90% of printed materials are produced by offset printing?
Yes, it’s true.
But it’s not too shocking because offset printing is completely eco-friendly and extremely cost-effective. Furthermore, the realistic colors that come on printed ads and packaging, are only possible with the help of it.
So, are you excited to learn about offset printing to make your design perfect? Well, starting a project is always not an easy job, but when you find a perfect guide like this, it ultimately becomes easy.
Want to know more about it?
Let’s get down to business!
This blog post will cover some interesting facts and advantages of offset printing. Also, we’ll try to explore how it adds more value to business branding.
Offset Printing & Explanation
Offset printing involves transferring images from metal plates to rubber blankets or rollers and then to the print surface. Typically used in newspapers, magazines, brochures, and books with high-volume printing.
The interesting fact about offset printing is its consistently high image quality, its ability to print on a wide variety of substrates (including paper, plastic, metal, and wood), and its relatively low cost per page.
However, it has several disadvantages as well, including the need for highly skilled operators and expensive equipment.
The Advantages of Offset Printing
Offset printing is one of the most commonly used printing processes in today’s print industry. It is ideal for printing large quantities of high-quality prints and offers several advantages over other printing methods, such as digital printing.
Here are some benefits:
High-Quality Prints
Offset printing produces high-quality prints that feel premium. The prints are also very consistent, which is ideal for large print runs.
Speed and Efficiency
It is a fast and efficient method of printing. It can print large quantities of prints very quickly, and is ideal for businesses that need to produce large numbers of prints regularly.
Cost-Effective
It is a very cost-effective printing method, especially when printing large quantities of prints. The initial setup costs for offset printing are usually higher than other printing methods. Still, the per-unit cost is often lower, making it a more affordable option in the long run.
Flexibility
It offers a lot of flexibility in terms of print sizes, paper types, and finishing options. This makes it an ideal choice for businesses needing to print prints in custom sizes or specialty papers.
Environmentally Friendly
It is a very environmentally friendly printing method. The process uses water-based inks, which are more environmentally friendly than petroleum-based addition, offset printing produces very little waste, which helps to reduce the environmental impact of the printing process.
If you are looking for a high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective printing solution, offset printing may be the best option for your business. Contact a professional offset printer today to learn more about the benefits of this printing method and how it can help your business.
Offset Printing Process
The process is quite simple and easy if you have perfect artwork to display on your product. Please ensure that your artwork colors are set to CMYK instead of RGB.
Here is the step-by-step process:
Create the design
A design is an important element in printing. Whether you design your artwork by yourself or get it prepared by anyone, make sure the colors match with the brand identity.
Prepress
Then use that artwork and layer it on a “plate”. It can be sheet of metal, paper, or polyester. This method is also called a prepress method. In this way, the worker can send a PDF file to the client so that they can give them final permission to proceed with the project.
Press/Printing
This is the most crucial point when your need to start the offset print process. Please ensure to use an aluminum plate to transfer the design onto the rubber roller, and then roll the image. The roller/cylinders are made of rubber material that contains the ink from your design and prints the artwork on a final product with the help of press.
Postpress/Finishing
In this final process, we do binding, trimming, folding, collating, etc. based on the need of the printed material. Once you’ve done all the steps, it’s time to finish the project. Pack the final printed item in the box with care and deliver it to the client.
Industries That Use Offset Printing Method
Offset printing is used in a wide variety of industries, from advertising and publishing to packaging and labeling. Some estimates suggest that more than 90% of all printed material is produced using offset printing technology.
Here is the list of industries that use offset printing method for advertisements and other projects:
- Product packaging
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Direct mail
- Digital advertising agencies
- Catalogs
- Books publishers
- Brochures
Types of Offset Printing
Offset printing is a type of lithographic printing process that is divided into two categories:
- Sheet-Fed Offset Printing
- Web Offset Printing
In sheet-fed offset printing, large sheets of paper are fed one at a time through the printer. While in web offset printing, rolls of paper are fed at high speeds through the printer.
Conclusion
Offset printing is a traditional printing process with advanced technology that creates high-quality prints. It’s perfect for larger quantities and has a longer lead time than digital printing. It is best suited for businesses with more established brands who are looking to create high-quality, long-term marketing materials.
Recap: The main thing to consider in offset printing is the selection of colors, make sure your artwork is set to the CMYK color mode if you want to achieve more realistic and sharp colors.
Finally, with over 30 years of experience SIP Printing has worked on more than 500 offset printing projects and all of them were praised by the clients. Get in touch with us today and let your design be your brand ambassador.