Components of an Offset Printing Press
Offset printing is one of the most widely used printing techniques in the commercial print industry. Among the essential components of an offset printing press, the printing blanket plays a crucial role in transferring the inked image from the plate to the substrate typically paper. While often overshadowed by more visible parts like the printing plate or the cylinders, the blanket is integral to ensuring high-quality, consistent, and efficient print results. What Is an Offset Printing Blanket? An offset blanket is a flexible rubber-coated sheet that wraps around the blanket cylinder in an offset press. In lithographic offset printing, the inked image is first transferred from the plate to the blanket, and then from the blanket to the paper. This is known as "offsetting", hence the name of the process. The blanket is responsible for: • Ensuring smooth image transfer. • Compensating for uneven surfaces of paper. • Reducing wear on the printing plate. ...