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Offset printing
Also called offset, offset process
The process in which the inked image on a metal plate is transferred to a rubber-covered cylinder, the blanket, and from the blanket onto the paper. It is how long runs are printed. Not to be confused with offset paper, an uncoated paper named after the process.
In practice
Choose offset when the run is long: the plates and the make-ready are prepared once, before the run, and their cost is shared across every copy. For a run between the two processes, ask for offset and digital to be priced for the same number of copies.