Offset printing is one of the most popular and complex printing techniques that only a few printing service providers in certain places can get right, like printing in Redondo Beach. It is a technique that provides the highest print quality compared to other printing techniques. But there are various factors to consider that affect the final print quality.
Let's weigh these factors:
1. Print Register Accuracy
If we ask any printing service provider in any location, say printing in Torrance, California, about the number of factors that affect the print quality in Offset printing. They would all say it is print register accuracy.
In color printing, print registration refers to the process of layering printed patterns to form a multicolor pattern. For accurate image printing, it is necessary to align different layers with the utmost precision. There are several ways to achieve alignment.
Some printing presses use the alignment registration mark as shown in the image, and some use the automatic register system, which assists with layer alignment.
2. Variation In Color
Even after getting the print register accuracy right, you might not get the desired color print until done with the appropriate color mix. In offset printing, desired colors are printed by mixing four colors, which are: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. These four colors are mixed in different quantities to create different colors.
Due to the complex nature of producing a full spectrum of colors, all 4-colors printing is subject to a small degree of color variance. As a result, the colors look different at the beginning and end of the run. One way to rectify this situation is to use the spot color ink process. In this process, instead of using four colors separately on four different plates, the desired color is created by mixing the color separately and applying it to a single plate.
3. Dot Gain
After ensuring the right print register accuracy and color variation, there are times when you will get a darker color print. It is all because of Dot Gain. It is the difference between the actual dot size on the printed material and the ink dot size specified in the source file.
Known as an important part of the printing process, Dot Gain should be taken into consideration when creating a source file. If not considered, then the printed image may appear darker than intended.
4. Image Slur
The above three factors only ensure that the right color with the right shade is printed. But to ensure that your final print doesn’t appear blurry or smeared, you’d need to take into account, image slur. This term refers to the smearing of the printed image because of the distorted printing dots. The distortion occurs in two directions; it is either lateral or circumferential.
Each direction represents a different problem that must be rectified to get a quality image. For instance, slurring can be caused by increased pressure between the plate and the blanket or between the blanket and the paper.
5. Faint Images
Along with setting the right pressure between the plate and roller, you need to clean the plates after every print job. Not doing so would cause the appearance of faint images from previous print jobs.
The appearance of faint images is also referred to as "ghosting." This problem occurs when the ink is distributed unevenly because of the inherent design. Ghosting can be classified into three types:
Chemical ghosting
Mechanical ghosting
Blanket ghosting
Ghosting is pretty common in offset printing, only a few printing in Torrance, California, can provide every print without any ghosting,
6. Reproducibility
With so many factors to keep in check for high-quality printing, it becomes difficult to have the same printing quality after every print job.
So, the ability to quickly achieve the correct color of the printed image or the ability to quickly achieve the same color as in the first print with repeat jobs is called reproducibility. Many offset printing machines come with automatic functions to improve their reproducibility.
Conclusion
In offset printing, different parts need to work together to get high-quality printing. As stated above, these are some of the factors that need to be taken into consideration. For someone looking for high-quality offset printing in Redondo Beach, Printing Graphics is the answer. Printing Graphics uses the latest technology in offset printing to ensure crisp, clear, and high-quality image printing.
Comments