subject: Advantages and Disadvantages of Offset Printing [print this page] Advantages and Disadvantages of Offset Printing
Images and text can be "burned" onto the metal plate using a process akin to photography. Water is placed on the metal plate onto areas where no content should be printed. After the water is placed, ink is added one color at a time. Some modern machines have a direct-to-plate process wherein images are "burned" directly onto the plates.
Offset printing is commonly used by magazine and newspaper publishers. It is also used for stationary, book, and brochure printing. People can expect high-quality output from this method. Computer aids are also used to help identify the right combination of colours to produce certain images. Like any printing method though, there are advantages and disadvantage to this technique. This is why alternatives exist. Below are some considerations you need to take note of:
Advantages
Consistent High-Quality Output other methods provide unpredictable level of quality. There are no such issues in this case. Clean and sharp images can be expected each and every time because the rubber mat follows the printing surface.
Affordability for commercial printing purposes, offset printing offers one of the cheapest solutions. It can provide very good quality materials in large quantities
Long Life of the Plate the printing plate in offset printing lasts for a long time because the print surface and plate doesn't come into direct contact. Plates are developed with foundation solution and inks can have extensive run lengths as well.
Disadvantages
Plates can become Sensitive because of chemical oxidation, the anodised aluminum plates can become rather sensitive. When this happens, it may print on non-image areas thereby ruining the materials.
Time Constraints if you have a rush job, offset printing might not offer a quick solution. It takes time to set-up the printing press. The plates will first need to be developed as well. Digital offset printing can provide an option in this case.
Overall, the final materials created from offset printing will meet your quality expectations. Its ink will also dry quickly so any potential damage is minimised. After the printing, the cutting and binding process will begin.
