OFFSET PRINTING PROCESS - NETRA GROUP

Offset printing is a widely used printing technique where the inked image is transferred (or "offset") from a metal plate to a rubber blanket, and then onto the printing surface, typically paper. It is called "offset" because the image is not directly transferred to the printing surface but instead through an intermediary blanket. This process ensures high-quality prints and is commonly used for large-volume production such as newspapers, magazines, brochures, and books.
Steps in the Offset Printing Process:
1. **Plate Creation**: A metal or polyester plate is prepared with the image or text to be printed. The plate surface is chemically treated so that it can attract ink in some areas (the image) and repel ink in others (the non-image areas).
2. **Inking the Plate**: The plate is mounted onto the printing press, and rollers apply ink to the plate. The ink adheres to the image area of the plate while the non-image area remains ink-free.
3. **Offsetting**: The inked image is transferred from the plate to a rubber blanket cylinder. The rubber blanket allows for a more even transfer to the printing surface, especially when printing on rough or textured materials.
4. **Printing**: The rubber blanket then transfers the image onto the final printing surface, such as paper, which passes through the press under pressure. This step results in the production of the printed material.
5. **Drying**: After printing, the ink is dried, either naturally or with the aid of heat, depending on the type of ink used.
Advantages of Offset Printing:
**High-Quality Output**: Produces crisp, clean images with consistent colour and detail.
**Cost-Effective for Large Runs**: Ideal for mass production as the cost per unit decreases with volume.
**Versatility**: Can print on a wide variety of surfaces beyond paper, including plastic, cardboard, and metal.
**Consistency**: Once the press is set up, the process is highly consistent and efficient.
Overall, offset printing is highly reliable for producing large quantities of high-quality printed materials at a reasonable cost.