Offset printing

The term offset is applied to plate printing whether by xerographic or other duplicators (paper plate usually with up to 5,000 good impressions) or by rotary lithographic presses (using metal plates, some capable of over one million impressions). Offset duplicators may achieve two colour printing, while offset lithography can accomodate four colours and generate some 10,000 impressions per hour. Offset printing technology has created the in-house printing department and enabled organizations to generate printed materials in quantities unattainable before 1950. The offset in-house press is frequently ill-controlled, however, and proves to be a costly department for each organization.