Which printing method is described as using the lithographic principle with greasy ink on metal rollers, transferring to a rubber cylinder and then to paper?

• A. Digital Printing
• B. Offset Printing
• C. Screen Printing
• D. Letterpress Printing

Answer: (B)

Offset printing hinges on the lithographic idea: a flat plate carries the image, and ink is applied to the image areas while water keeps the non-image areas damp so they don’t pick up ink. The greasy ink on metal rollers is first picked up by the image area of the plate, then transferred to a rubber blanket cylinder. That blanket acts as an intermediary, and its smooth surface can then print the image onto paper with high precision and consistency. This indirect transfer from plate to blanket to paper is what gives offset printing its name and its efficiency for large runs. The combination of metal plates, ink, water balance, and the blanket cylinder allows sharp detail, good tonal range, and the ability to print on a variety of papers.