Understanding the Role of Blankets in Offset Printing
Offset printing is one of the most widely used commercial printing methods in the world. At the heart of this process lies a critical yet often underappreciated component, the offset printing blankets . While it might seem like just another part of the press, the blanket plays a pivotal role in ensuring print quality, consistency, and efficiency. What is an Offset Blanket? In offset lithography, the image is not transferred directly from the plate to the paper. Instead, it goes through an intermediate step, the rubber blanket. The plate transfers the inked image to the blanket, which then "offsets" it onto the substrate (usually paper). This is where the term "offset" printing comes from. Blankets are typically made from layers of synthetic rubber and fabric, designed to be flexible yet durable enough to handle high-speed printing without distortion. Why is the Blanket So Important? The blanket serves several critical functions in the printing pr...