Offset printing as a printing technique

Like most people out there, I used to let my local printer decide what the best means to complete my job were. I quickly found that this type of decision making was compared too bringing my car into the shop and letting the well-educated, experienced mechanics give me an assessment on the condition of my car. Usually this assessment is more beneficial for the mechanic then for your bank account - the same can be said about your local or international print companies.

The most basic knowledge you need to have when deciding on what type of print company you're going to utilize is simple - digital or offset. Both types of printing are very effective depending on the kind of printing you need, and instead of letting the print companies decide whats best for you - you decide whats best for you.

The older and more commonly used form of printing is offset printing. Offset printing was originally invented in 1875 and was used to print on the metal, tin. However, it wasn't until 1903 that Ira Washington Rubel created an offset press that could print on paper. To print on paper with an offset press is a technique that is more than 100 years old and is still practiced today.

What are the benefits of using offset as a printing technique?

• Consistent High Quality Images
• Quick production with printing plates
• Plates can withstand more then 1 million impressions
• Cost

As indicated above - there are many advantages too printing using the offset technique. The most beneficial and the one that any person considering printing offset should be aware of is cost. Offset is the most affordable printing method to produce very high quality prints in commercial printing quantities. This simply means - its' only cost effective if you plan on printing quantities in the thousands. For smaller quantities of printing you may want to consider offset printings semi-equivalent - digital printing.

Digital printing is the newest printing technique that printing companies have adopted and almost all printing companies offer digital printing as an option, not all printing companies offer offset printing as an option. This should be noted.