The Difference Between Offset and Digital Printing
When you talk to a printing company do you know whether you want offset or digital printing for your project, or do you know the difference? Most people think printing is printing! In this week’s blog, we will explain the difference between these two printing methods. Hopefully, this information will help you make an easier decision during your next print project. Offset Printing There were two versions of offset printing developed. In 1875 Robert Marclay of England developed offset printing to print on tin, while in 1904 Ira Washing Rubel of the United States developed offset printing to print on paper. Offset printing uses plates that are generally made from aluminum. The plates are used to transfer the inked imaged from a plate to a rubber blanket. Then they are transferred from the rubber blanket to the printing surface. The ink is not transferred directly onto the paper which is why this process is called offset. A large reel of paper is fed through a large press ...