Ofsettrükk

Ofsettrükk is a widely used printing technique where the inked image is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket, and then to the printing surface. This indirect transfer process is the defining characteristic of offset printing. The plate used is typically made of metal, such as aluminum, and features a chemical treatment that creates a distinction between the image areas and the non-image areas. The image areas attract ink, while the non-image areas repel it.

The printing process involves several cylinders. The plate is mounted on a plate cylinder. Ink is applied to the plate by a series of rollers. A blanket cylinder then picks up the ink from the plate, and this inked image is then transferred to the paper or other substrate that passes over the blanket cylinder. In color printing, multiple plates and blanket cylinders are used, one for each color (typically cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, or CMYK), with each color being applied in successive passes.

Ofsettrükk is known for its high quality and detail reproduction, making it suitable for a vast range of printed materials, including books, magazines, newspapers, brochures, and packaging. It is a highly efficient method for large print runs due to the durability of the plates and the speed of the presses. The process is also cost-effective for mass production. The rubber blanket conforms to the surface of the printing material, allowing for printing on a variety of textures and surfaces, including paper, cardboard, and plastics.