Offset printing is one of the most widely used techniques in the printing industry, known for its high quality and versatility in producing a wide range of printed materials, from brochures, magazines and packaging to labels.
In this article, we will share with you a little more of the steps involved in the offset printing process, from preparation to finishing.
At AGH Labels we have the latest technology to print more than 3.5 Billion labels per year, which follow a detailed process that starts in the "Digital Prepress" area.
There we work on the preparation of the design to be printed. This involves the adaptation of the customer's artwork in graphic design software, such as Adobe Illustrator, taking into account the specific requirements of offset printing, such as bleed areas and registration marks.
Once the design is finalized, monochromatic printing plates are created, i.e. for each color to be used in printing. In the case of offset printing, aluminum or photopolymer plates are used. Each plate represents a different color of the design and is prepared using a photosensitive exposure process.
Before printing can begin, the offset press must be prepared. While Heidelberg technology with Easy Control, Heidelberg Assistant, Prinect helps us to improve the quality, efficiency and profitability of our operations, it will always be important to have a skilled team to install the printing plates on the corresponding cylinders of the press and adjust the quality controls, as well as adjust the machine configuration according to the design specifications and the type of paper to be used.
This leads us to talk about our foiling process; Whether it is Couche, Metallized or BOPP, at AGH Labels we generate a delivery planning to our customers in an efficient way, contemplating to have ready those sheets of material that will be needed at the right time, which allows us to start the printing process in a timely manner.
Once printing is completed, the printed artwork may go through additional finishing processes or not, depending on our client's request. This may include:
Conventional finishing, where varnish is applied over line printing and straight cut or special finishing which involves a V varnish, matte, combination of both and may require embossing, embossing, embossing, die cutting or die cutting to provide a differentiated and high quality image.
Offset printing is a complex process that requires meticulous attention to every detail, from design preparation to final production. With a combination of advanced technology and craftsmanship skills, offset printers can produce high-quality printed materials that meet the demands of a variety of creative commercial applications.
If you are looking for crisp, vibrant and consistent print results, offset printing remains a leading option in the printing industry for which we at AGH Labels are experts and have the capacity and technology that allows us to turn over 100,000 sheets into labels per day.
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Sources:
AGH Labels Servicio e Innovación. (s. f.). AGH Labels. https://www.aghlabels.pro/
Offset de pliegos | HEIDELBERG. (s. f.). https://www.heidelberg.com/global/es/products/offset_printing/sheetfed_offset_overview.jsp
TLMI. (2023, 11 diciembre). News - TLMI. TLMI -. https://tlmi.com/insight/news/
PRINTING United Alliance. (s. f.). PRINTING United Alliance. Default. https://www.printing.org/