Technology, over the past few years, has brought advancement in every field of life. Printing, especially the printing of packaging solutions, is one of them. In the past, screen printing was considered the best for all types of printing.
This technique is in use even today as we can see this technique being used in the textile and garments sectors. But for the printing of custom packaging, the trend has been changed now, and offset printing is dominating the market for it. It has made it easier for product manufacturers as well as packaging manufacturers to make the perfect box design for a variety of items.
No doubt, the addition of colors and typography can add value and life to anything, and the same is the case with the custom packaging.
Let’s find out what offset printing is and what the factors are that make it unique.
A Brief History
Although offset is older than screen printing, it is still the highly used method of printing. In the early 20th century, 1903, to be exact, the offset printing method was invented. The amazing fact about this invention is that it was an accidental invention, but considering the benefits and effectiveness of the method, it gained popularity in almost no time.
Soon it was being used for the printing of custom packaging as well. It gave the packaging manufacturers to get a clear and sharp box design printed. By the year 1907, this method had become popular, and offset printing machines were in full use.
How It Works
Before we start discussing its working, there is one thing that should be known. The offset printing process is also known by the name of offset lithography.
Unlike screen printing, the process of offset is a bit tricky. The image, text, or the box design that is to be printed is placed on a roller. On one side of the roller are the ink rollers from where the required colors, two, four, six, eight, or more, are picked. One the other side is the water roller that is to be used with the colors.
The colors that are used for this process are oil paints, so they are mixed with water for a better and even spread over the rollers.
The image is then transferred to a rubber roller, and from there, it is printed on the custom packaging, paper, leaflets, or any other material that is to be printed.
Features That Make It Unique
- There are several benefits and features that make it unique. These are;
- It is economical as compared to screen printing or any other type of printing.
- It can be used for the printing of multiple items such as custom packaging, books & booklets, calendars, and many other products of the same type.
- This process also allows the product manufacturers and retailers to get their desired box design printed in a lesser period of time as compared to any other type of printing.
- This process is ideal for printing that involved one or two colors printing.
- It also ensures a higher quality of printing as compared to the digital or screen printing process.
- Last but not least, it is the easiest way to customize box design for the printing of your packaging solutions as well.
- It consumes fewer resources, including power, colors, and labor. Also, anyone with a brief training can run the process easily and successfully.
The aforementioned brief overview of the offset printing technique is quite enough to understand that this technique is the most affordable and effective for the printing of paper, cardboard, kraft, and any other type of material that is made of wood pulp.
