Numerous printing processes exist and the effectiveness of any of the process is depend on the requirements of the users and the target audience. Printing allows communication and the communication process determines the use of a printing process: for example, lithography. Lithography is an example of a printing process (Leach 34). It is based on the principle that water and ink do not mix easily (Seaman and Lindblom 29). Oleophilic is the ink loving area (image area) while the hydrophilic is the water loving, which is the nonimage area. In addition, planographic is the plate surface. The components in fulfilling the requirements of printing press units that is extension of lithography are impression cylinders, blanket, plate, water and ink. Hence, to fulfill the requirements of printing, numerous components and processes are brought together.
The printing press works in a unique way composed on interchanging processes (Seaman and Lindblom 29). The image is processed through the use of a plate. Therefore, one plate is required for each of the available colors need. The plate is then wrapped around a cylinder that is within the printing press (Morton and Shimmin 88). The image area is inked while the nonimage area is dampened (Torres 66). The image is then offset to the blanket, which then offset again to the paper. The process moves across the plate cylinder, blanket cylinder and impression cylinder. The printing process is in printing papers and other suitable materials depending on the requirements of the user (Seaman and Lindblom 115). In history, the technology has been used on creating numerous documents especially advertising documents. The printing process was and still been used in the newspaper and publications industry. However, newer methods especially that use digital process have entered into the market making some types of press unit obsolete.
- Leach, Robert. The Printing Ink Manual. California: Springer Science & Business Media, 2012. Print.
- Morton, John and Shimmin Robert. Conventional Label Printing Processes: Letterpress, Lithography, Flexography, Screen, Gravure and Combination Printing. New York: Tarsus Publishing, Limited, 2014. Print.
- Seaman, Jan and Lindblom Brian. Scientific Examination of Questioned Documents, Second Edition. London: CRC Press, 2006. Print.
- Torres, Clivia Marfa Sotomayor. Alternative Lithography: Unleashing the Potentials of Nanotechnology. Springer Science & Business Media, 2012. Print.
