OFFSET PRINTING

Offset Lithography printing is the most commonly used method in the commercial printing industry, because it is the most economical way to produce large quantities of printed material. The chemical principle that water and ink don’t mix is applied with this process. Ink adheres to the image (words and art) on a plate (metal or otherwise) while all other areas are coated with water, thus repelling the ink.

The inked areas then transfer to a rubber blanket, in turn contacting the paper for the final impression. The term “offset” is used here because the plate does not come into direct contact with the paper as it does with Letterpress Printing.