What Is Offset Printing (Offset Lithography)?
Offset printing (litho) transfers an inked image from a printing plate onto a rubber blanket, and then from the blanket onto the sheet, so the ink is "offset" via the blanket rather than printed directly. It's the standard method for high-quality, high-volume cartons, labels, books, and commercial print.
In more detail
Offset lithography is the workhorse behind most quality printed packaging. Each colour has its own plate; the plate is dampened and inked so ink sticks only to the image areas, then the image is transferred to a rubber blanket, which presses it onto the sheet. The blanket step is what "offset" refers to, and it's what lets offset print crisply onto textured and heavy stocks.
Its strengths are exactly what packaging needs at scale: excellent, consistent quality; accurate Pantone/spot brand colours; a huge range of substrates and finishes; and a cost per unit that keeps dropping as the quantity rises. A six-colour press can lay down full CMYK plus dedicated brand spot colours in one pass.
The trade-off is setup: plates and make-ready mean offset is less economical for very short runs, where digital printing wins. In practice the two are complementary: proof digitally, produce on offset.
Key points
- Ink goes plate → rubber blanket → sheet (hence "offset")
- Best quality and colour accuracy at medium-to-high volume
- Handles Pantone spot colours and premium finishing
- Higher setup than digital, so best above short runs
Common questions
Why is it called offset printing?
Because the ink isn't printed directly from the plate to the paper. It's first transferred (offset) onto a rubber blanket, which then prints onto the sheet. This intermediate blanket gives cleaner impressions and works on a wide range of surfaces.
When is offset better than digital printing?
Offset wins for medium-to-large runs, exact brand-colour matching, and premium finishing, with a lower cost per unit at volume. Digital wins for short runs, versioned jobs, and fast first copies. See our offset vs digital comparison for the crossover point.
Related terms
Where it's used
Written by LeRoy Print Packs, a printing and packaging manufacturer making cartons, corrugated boxes and labels in-house. Get a quote