Research page 1 : Printing techniques

Offset lithography

 

Offset lithography is used commercial printing process. It works on the principle that oil and water do not mix. An aluminium printing plate is dampened with a water solution that the image rejects and the surrounding area accepts. When the plate is inked, the image area accepts the ink. The inked image is then transferred from the plate cylinder to the blanket cylinder which 'offsets' or prints onto the paper as it passes between the blanket and impression cylinders.

CMYK

CMYK is the four inks used in colour printing :cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

Sheet sizes