OFFSET PRINTING
Offset printing is a common printing technique in which the inked image is transferred (or “offset”) from a plate to a rubber blanket and then to the printing surface. When used in combination with the lithographic process, which is based on the repulsion of oil and water, the offset technique employs a flat (planographic) image carrier. Ink rollers transfer ink to the image areas of the image carrier, while a water roller applies a water-based film to the non-image areas. Offset lithography is one of the oldest and still most common ways of creating printed materials.
A few of its common applications include: box packaging, folders, magazines, brochures, books and posters.
Compared to other printing methods, offset printing is best suited for economically producing large volumes of high quality prints We utilize computer-to-plate systems as opposed to the older computer-to-film work flows we used in the 90’s, which further increases our quality.
Advantages of offset printing compared to other printing methods include:
- Consistent superior high image quality. Offset printing produces sharp and clean images and type more easily than, for example, wide format printing; this is because the rubber blanket conforms to the texture of the printing surface.
- Quick and easy production to printing plates.
- Offset printing is the cheapest method for producing high quality prints in large volume quantities.
WIDE FORMAT PRINTING
Wide format also known in the industry as Large Format Printing are generally computer-controlled printing machines (printers.) Our printers support a print roll width of up to 120″ and board size up to 5′ x 10′ up to 2″ thick. MEDIUS has capacities are considered super-wide or grand format. Our other large format printers utilize a lay-flat bed printer for rigid print mediums up to 2″ thick.
Wide format printing is used to print banners, poster-boards, trade show graphics, wallpaper, decals, murals, directional signage, backlit film, vehicle wraps, floor graphics, backdrops, media sets and so much more.
Post print finishing in the wide format department is extensive. Digital Cutting Plotters allow any desired shapes to be cut out very precisely, and repeatably on a roll. Cutting plotters use tiny knives to cut into a piece of material such as mylar or vinyl film. The cutting plotter is connected to a computer, which is equipped with cutting design software. We send the necessary cutting dimensions in order to command the cutting knife to produce the correct perfect cut out for stickers or any custom sharped decals.
For the ridge materials that need to be cut into shape we use a layflat routing machine equipped with spindles with several knife options for cutting vinyl, gator board, styrene, PVC or just about any other material that requires a custom cut to shape.
DIGITAL PRINTING
Digital printing is a method of printing from a digital-based image directly to a variety of paper types. It usually refers to printing where lower volume jobs from digital sources are printed using laser or inkjet printers. Digital printing has a higher cost per page than more traditional offset printing methods, but this price is offset by avoiding the cost of all the technical steps required to make offset printing plates. It also allows for on-demand printing, short turnaround time, and even on press modifications of the image or text (variable data) used for each impression. The savings in labor and the ever-increasing capability of digital presses means that digital printing is reaching the point where it can match or supersede offset printing ability to produce larger print runs of several thousand sheets at a low price.
Digital printing is typically utilized to print brochures, flyers, pamphlets and mailers with variable images or data.