Every design and printing project is different. Choosing the best process must take into consideration the desired quality, budget, volume, and budget. If your goal is to have the best image quality, the technology developed for offset printing jobs will deliver outstanding quality and precision.
What are the Facts about Offset Printing Jobs?
1. Artwork Reproduction
Offset printing jobs are a better choice for artwork reproduction and in other situations where the images being printed need to be represented perfectly. The image quality with this printing process can be much higher than digital printing, but the cost is also higher because of the added time and labor involved in the offset process.
2. Comparing Offset Printers
Finding the best printer means evaluating different companies and comparing the offset experience that each one has. Someone who has never handled this type of job before is not the right choice. There are many common mistakes that can be made and you want results that are perfect for your printed materials.
3. Quality and Perfection
One of the benefits with offset printing jobs is that you will get the highest quality on a consistent basis, so you can be assured that each printed item looks identical to the ones printed previously. There are some projects that require perfection each and every time, and the offset process can provide this.
4. Computer to Plate
Plates are used with the offset process, and these plates must be specially created for the printing job. This is what provides consistent high quality, but it also requires additional time and effort in order to design and produce the required plates. This means that extra time must be allowed for the plates to be designed and produced.
5. Cost versus Quality
The cost for offset printing jobs will be less than for other high quality image printing processes, but more than digital printing. The more items printed the lower the cost will become on a per piece basis, so larger orders may be more cost effective than smaller orders.
6. Experience is Critical
The best printer for the job will be a reputable company that has been offering the offset process for many years. These are the companies that have the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to handle your job the right way and ensure that you get the best possible results when you place an order. If a company is an unknown then it is a risk you may not be willing to take.
The inks that are used by an offset printing company are important, and the best printer will understand the perfect balance between the ink and water. Read more here.
7. A Long History Advancing with the Times
Offset printing jobs started gaining in popularity during the 1900s, and advances in technology have made the process easier and less labor intensive today. The use of computerized programs has streamlined the process and helped to bring the cost for this printing method down some in recent years, making it more affordable than ever.
Bonus Fact: Komori’s first lithograph roll printing press was developed in 1925.
8. Longer Plate Life
Most offset printing jobs will have a longer plate life than plates used in direct lithography printing, and this can save a significant amount of money in the long-run if the same plates will be used over and over again. Some plates may be used to make 1,000,000 printed pieces.
The longer plate life and recyclable capabilities make offset printing a preferred method by those concerned with the environment.
9. The Best Printing Company Equals the Best Results
Choosing the best printer for the job is one of the most important decisions that you will make during any marketing campaign. The wrong choice could leave you with sloppy materials, images that are not crisp and clear, or even missed delivery dates because the printer is not well-established or experienced.
10. Multiple Part Process
When offset printing jobs are ordered the ink is transferred to the plates, then the image is transferred to a blanket or other medium. Next, the inked image is transferred to the chosen paper stock. This is a multiple part process that occurs very quickly.
11. Price is not the only Factor
The best printer for this type of job may not be the cheapest. If you choose the printing company based on price alone, then you may not get satisfactory results and you could end up regretting your decision later on.
12. Plates must be Properly Maintained
If the plates used for offset printing jobs are anodized aluminum and they are not properly maintained and stored then the image quality can be compromised. In this situation, the final printed item may have ink or other defects in the areas that were designed to be left blank.
There is a lot to consider when your business requires offset printing jobs. Las Vegas Color Graphics prides itself on the best offset printing equipment and processes. Call us today to schedule a tour of our facility to see this technology in action. To learn more about our offset printing, click here.
What other interesting facts about offset printing jobs do you know about?
