Offset Printing - The Process of Litho

One of the more significant functions is the pre-process production phase, as it during this process that all files are correctly processed for the printing task ahead. In this stage converting the color involved to the proper CMYK, finalizing the files and creating the plates that will be used to for each color of the job. A general sheet fess press consists of several systems used to complete the entire process, feeder system, printing system, inking/damping system and the delivery system.

The entire process is quite involving and great attention to detail needs to be paid to ensure perfect quality prints. The feeder system used in Litho is responsible got making sure that the paper runs through the process smoothly and correctly. During this process one would load the substrate and correctly set the system up to certain specifications of the substrate press.

The printing unit is a part of the many various systems; the damping system in specific is used to for the application of the dampening solution to the plates with water rollers. The inking system makes use of the roller to deploy the in to the plate as well as the blanket cylinders which is the transferred to the substrate. The plate cylinder is where the plates containing all of the imaging are mounted. Finally the blanket and impression cylinders are utilized in order to the transfer the image to the substrate which runs through the press.

Once all the tasks above have been completed the final destination for the print is the delivery system, when the paper arrives at the delivery system it is then stacked in a manner that allows the ink to cure in the proper manner. This is where the proper ink density and registration can be checked to ensure the print meets quality specifications. The web offset technique makes use of rolls of paper rather than single sheets (spectrum printers). The advantages of using this technique can be seen when long print jobs typically runs that exceed 10 or 20 thousand impressions are needed to be run. The speed that web offset offers can range from 3000 feet per minute or even faster.

The process of Litho printing is a highly involved process but the results that are generated by these marvelous machines are second to none. Digital has its advantages over offset printing however when it comes to quality Litho runs high above the quality produced by standard Digital printers.

The process of litho is a very complicated process, but the result is to produce these wonderful machines are second to none. Digital has its advantages more than offset, however, when it comes to running the rock high above the quality standards of production quality digital printer