Craft · 6 pages · 12 min

Why offset printing uses a blanket

Ink moves from the plate to a rubber cylinder, and only then onto the paper.

I understand the following: I can download a file of this brief, and I can also read it in the library on this browser. Clearing the cache or cookies deletes the library copy. The file must be downloaded for access to be retained.

When the purchase is complete, return to the original window. It will refresh.

From the opening

Offset printing transfers the inked image from the plate to a rubber blanket and only then to the paper, so the sheet never has to meet the plate. The soft blanket conforms to the paper and carries the image across with less punishment than a hard plate would give. The opening covers ink moves from plate to rubber, rubber then meets the paper, and two transfers keep it readable.

The rest of the brief — the later sections and the reading notes — opens after Stripe confirms payment.

Inside

Ink moves from plate to rubber
Rubber then meets the paper
Two transfers keep it readable
The blanket conforms to the sheet
Where the idea stops applying
A distinction worth keeping

Sources

Offset lithography and the blanket cylinder
Indirect image transfer from plate to paper

06The short physics of sourdoughCraft24 min$12 14How a library decides what to keepCraft24 min$12 0510How paper is made from fiberCraft12 min$20

Why offset printing uses a blanket

From the opening

Inside

Sources

Also on the desk