Offset printing

When you plan to print bigger amounts of copies, when you would like to have more freedom in using colours or when you plan to print on formats larger than A3+.

Then offset printing may be the best choice.

In the case of offset printing, the printing cost decreases along with the increase in the number of copies. This form of printing also provides an opportunity to use additional colours from Pantone palette, gold or silver.

Offset printing also provides many opportunities in terms of upgrading, packaging and shipment of the completed material.

Offset Printing – process of printing and material preparation

Offset printing process consists of several stages. Prior to printing itself, preparation of matrix is required. The image is exposed in a CTP imagesetter and in this way it is transferred to the aluminium matrix. The process of printing consists in transferring the image from the aluminium matrix through a drum covered with rubber to a material which most often is a sheet of paper.

The following machines are used in offset printing:

– Roland R700 speed to 15 000 sheets/h, paper thickness to 1 mm, 5 units allow for accelerated work owing to the possibility to use Pantone even in the first passing through the machine, or dispersion varnish (protection of printing).

– Ryobi RMGT 920 A1++ speed to 16200 sheets/h, paper thickness to 0.6 mm Increased paper format – standard 920 x 640 mm (printing area 900 x 615 mm) Minimum formats of 410 x 290 mm do not introduce any restrictions for small works.

What can you print in offset printing?

Offset printing is designed for any prints on paper up to 1 mm (that is 350-400 g/m) and formats up to B1+, that is 1020×720

This technique is used for the following orders:

– Flyer printing (at least 2000 copies) the most common formats: from A7 to A3
– Catalogue printing (at least 400 copies) the most common formats: B5, A4, A5, A4 longitudinal
– Poster printing (at least 500 copies) the most common formats: A1, B1, B2
– Printing of business cards, the most common formats: 90×50, 85×55
– Printing of stitched brochures (at least 400 copies) the most common formats: A5, A4 square, A4 longitudinal
– Printing of books (at least 300 copies) the most common formats: B5, A4, A5, A4 longitudinal

Send us your contact details and we will help you choose the best option.

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When should you opt for offset printing and when for other types of printing?

  • when you want to print a lot of copies
offset printing
  • if you would like to use additional colours, e.g. Pantone colours, gold or silver
offset printing
  • if formats of the printed materials are larger than A3+
offset printing
  • when you are planning to print on materials weighing 270 g/m2 or more
offset printing
  • when you need to print immediately
see digital printing
  • when you want to customize your print
see digital printing
  • You are planning a small edition and are concerned about a low cost (it is possible to print even one copy)
see digital printing
  • printed materials have small formats (the number of copies is also significant)
see digital printing
  • when printing publications such as catalogues or brochures, you want to have freedom in choosing the amount of pages – you are not limited in terms of the sheet size
see digital printing
  • you are planning to print on materials other than paper
see UV printing

What does the process of offset printing look like?

  1. Send us the material for printing in an electronic form.
  2. Would you like to check the print quality? We can prepare a proof for you.
  3. Printout (you can personally observe the printing process).
  4. Bindery, including upgrading and packaging (optional).
  5. The material can be sent to the indicated address or can be collected in person.

Offset printing and additional available options

The printed material can be upgraded. Offset printing enables the forms of upgrading such as:

– selective or comprehensive coating with UV lacquer,
– laminating with matte and gloss film,
– pressing,
– punch die-cutting,
– binding.

The material can also be subjected to other processes such as stitching and gluing, and then it is carefully packed and dispatched. In terms of logistic operations the following additional forms are possible:

– mail merge,
– transpromo,
– shipping with the sender’s data hidden.

Is it possible to customize the printing in offset printing?
Offset printing itself does not allow for customization, however, it is possible to customize parts of the printed material if we use digital printing for this.