What is offset printing?
Offset printing transfers ink from a metal plate to a rubber blanket and then onto the paper, with a separate plate for each ink; it is the usual process for long runs of brochures, books, catalogs and packaging.
What it means for your file
Making the plates and setting up the press (makeready) takes time and paper before the first good sheet, so offset costs more than digital for small quantities and less per copy for large ones. It can print true Pantone inks and varnishes on a wide range of papers. Each ink is a separate plate, which is why spot colors, overprint and registration matter so much on offset work.
For short runs and personalized print, see digital printing. Every plate has to line up with the others: see registration.
An example
A run of 5,000 tri-fold brochures is a typical offset job. Four plates are made, one each for cyan, magenta, yellow and black; the press is inked and adjusted until color and registration are right; then the sheets run fast and cheaply. A fifth plate could add a Pantone brand color, or a varnish.
A common mistake
Asking for offset printing on a run of 100 cards. The plates and makeready cost much the same whatever the quantity, so a small offset run is expensive per card, and digital printing usually suits it better. Where the crossover falls depends on the printer’s equipment, so for quantities in between, ask for a quote both ways.
Related terms
All print terms in the glossary, or run your file through the free print-ready checker.
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