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Comparison to Other Printing Processes
Registration
Offset lithography has inherent register problems, forcing files to be trapped. Registration is always dead-on with our press, since the paper is held onto its impression cylinder for all four (or six) color passes.
Wet Trapping
Offset lithography has trouble with certain colors because wet ink has to trap onto wet ink. Our ink is dry immediately after impression, so subsequent inks do not have wet trapping problems.
Ink Absorption and Dot Gain
Offset lithography depends to some degree on the paper absorbing the oils in the ink. This process creates dot gain. Our inks adhere to the surface of the paper, are polymeric and tenticular (don't ask), and are no longer suspended in oil at impression. There is no dot gain inherent in the process (although it can be intentionally induced for matching previously printed pieces or proofs).
Flexography Edge Anomalies
Flexography sometimes causes a heavy edge on solids because the three dimensional, flexible plate "squishes" slightly on impression. Our press has a slight edge effect, as well. Edges of screen-build solid areas and large, blocky text are slightly darker with our press (it looks similar to the effect of trapping for registration in traditional offset).
Halftone Screens in Lithography, Flexography, and Digital Offset
Traditional offset ithography allows for screens to 300 lpi. Flexo does not allow for fine halftone screens. Our press can reproduce screens equivalent to 133 lpi, 175 lpi, and 200 lpi.
Digital Offset versus Dry Toner
Dry toner processes cannot reproduce the richness of ink-on-paper, nor can that process print on a wide variety of substrates. Our press reproduces brilliant color on many different paper stocks and other substrates. It will print on anything within its weight range; it just may not stick to everything. If you have a speific substrate need, we would be happy to determine compatability.
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