Printing Tech

The printing process used to create books, magazines, and most printed products is called offset lithography. In the industry, this is usually shortened to offset. Another type of printing is called silk screen, or screen, printing. This is the method used to print tee shirts, coffee mugs, bottles, and similar items.

The term offset lithography comes from how printing is accomplished with this process. What is to be printed, such as the page of a book, is etched into a metal printing plate. Water is applied to the plate, which adheres to the unetched areas. Then, ink is applied to the plate, which adheres to any area without water. In other words, the ink sticks to the etched areas, which will be the printed part of the page. This is the basics of the lithographic process, that water and oil (ink) do not mix. The printing plate is then pressed against a roller. This transfers, or offsets, the inked areas onto the roller. Paper is then passed over the roller, and ink is pressed onto the paper.

There are two basic types of offset printing presses in use today. The web press is used for high-volume print runs. Paper is on a large roll, like a giant paper towel roll, called a web. This continuous roll of paper is fed through the press and printed. In a sheet-fed press, paper cut into individual sheets is fed through the press. In both cases, the printed paper is later cut to final size.

Tin Whiskers Publisher is a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA). IBPA’s mission is “to lead and serve the independent publishing community by providing advocacy, education, and tools for success.” IBPA is a not-for-profit membership organization serving and leading the independent publishing community. Founded in 1983, it is the largest publishing trade organization in the United States. IBPA members pledge to uphold the organization’s code of ethics.