Web offset printing has become a highly effective and speedy way to produce a large amount of printed materials. Web offset printing machines are employed in the publishing, advertising, and packaging industries because they enable continuous sheet movement through the press, which expedites the process in comparison to sheet-fed printing.
You can find web offset printing used for printing newspapers, magazines, catalogs, books, and different kinds of commercial forms. Although all web offset presses are similar, they also exist as different models suited for different tasks. In this article, we look into the various types of web offset printing machines and what uses they have.
What Is Web Offset Printing?
Prior to learning the different approaches, you should first understand the fundamentals of web offset printing. During this process, a large roll (or web) holds the paper until it is taken into the printing machine. Later on, long pieces of paper are cut and folded to meet the requirements of the job.
- Coldset web offset printing
- Heatset web offset printing
The method of drying the ink separates these categories, and all of these categories have their own sub-types depending on their makeup and use.
1. Coldset Web Offset Printing Machines
Coldset web offset printing is used to print the majority of newspapers and certain kinds of books. Here, the ink soaks into the paper without requiring any use of heat or drying.
Key Features:
- Lower operational cost
- Used for uncoated, absorbent paper
- Ideal for high-volume daily publications
Applications:
- Newspapers
- Legal documents
- Basic educational books
Their efficiency and eco-friendly nature are due to the lack of heat used when drying paper. On the other hand, the ink is more likely to smear and requires more time to be dry.
2. Heatset Web Offset Printing Machines
Following printing, heatset web offset presses run the sheets through drying ovens to set the ink. They allow for printing on coated paper, meaning the final product looks even better and more finished.
Key Features:
- High-resolution printing
- Fast-drying using heat
- Can process glossy and coated papers without issue
Applications:
- Magazines
- Catalogs
- Brochures
Flyers
The use of heat in this type of printing means that the images dry straight away and often look more detailed and bright,
3. Single-Width vs. Double-Width Presses
In addition to the technology, web offset printing machines can be arranged by how wide the paper feeds are and how many pages they handle in a single cycle.
Single-Width Presses:
- Only rotate the wheel from one page for every website accessed
- Slower than double-width presses
- Easier to maintain and operate
- Individuals, communities, and small to medium businesses can both use it.
Double-Width Presses:
- Ensure each web prints two pages on every revolution of the drum.
- Achieve twice the results you would get with one-width film.
- Require more complex maintenance
- These machines are made for use in large newspaper and commercial printing works.
Deciding between single-width and double-width depends upon the amount the line produces, the budget, and the amount of space that is available.
4. Straight vs. Blanket-to-Blanket Configuration
- Different sets of cylinders can also be found in offset web machines.
- Straight Press Configuration:
The paper rolls between the blanket and the impression cylinder before landing on it.
Makes excellent prints, but takes a longer time to do so
Blanket-to-Blanket Configuration:
- Two cylindrical blankets are used and pressed together by the machine
- It is possible to print simultaneously on both sides of the paper (perfecting).
- You can print on both sides more quickly thanks to this functionality.
Newspapers and magazines often print their sheets using blanket-to-blanket presses, as both fast printing and double-sided papers are important to their work.
5. Web Offset Presses for Advertising Material Versus Those for Newspapers
These two types of machines follow the same web offset principle, but are adjusted to meet the requirements of publishing newspapers or commercial publications.
- Commercial presses are known for producing colorful images and working with a variety of types of media.
Commercial presses are able to work with many types and sizes of paper, whereas newspaper presses are made for quick production every day.
Final Thoughts
Web offset printing offers a range of solutions that can suit the needs of many different industries. Be it millions of newspapers daily or catalogs for retail, a web offset machine can be found to fit your needs.
All in all, the three main categories of web offset presses are:
- These machines are efficient for quick and budget-friendly print outs on uncoated paper.
- High-quality commercial printing machines that excel in producing eye-catching pictures
- Presses come in single-width and double-width sizes according to their print capability
- You may set up your printer to print one or two sides using the straight or blanket mode.
There are presses suitable for commercial and newspaper printings depending on what you need to produce.
Learning about the differences makes it easier for print businesses to pick a machine that provides the best outcomes and increased productivity.