lithography
The most common printing method, often referred to as offset printing. The inked image is transferred or offset from a plate to a rubber blanket, then onto the printing surface. Ink sits flat on the surface and there is no raised or textured relief to the process, unlike engraving, embossing, letterpress and other reproduction techniques. Magazines, newspapers and general printing needs are offset printed and usually printed on large roll-fed presses known as “web offset presses”. “Sheet fed offset presses” are also available and can reproduce 10 or more colors during one pass through the press. Generally speaking, web presses are used more for very long run projects where quality is a concern but price is a higher priority. Sheeted presses run slower and generally achieve better print quality and finer line screens. Also, the recent advent of aqueous coating capabilities now allow the printed sheets to be turned-over and printed on the backside instantly, saving our clients time and money.
Photos: Glenn Schuster