Lexicon

The printing form is a central element in the printing process; it contains the image to be printed, i.e. the information that is transferred to paper during the printing process. The type, manufacture and function of the printing form vary depending on the printing process. However, it forms the basis for the reproduction of text and images in print. Four types of printing forms Printing forms can be divided into four main categories, which correspond to the classic printing processes: relief printing, intaglio printing, planographic printing and gravure printing. In …

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The printing plate is an important element in printing technology and is mainly used in flat printing such as offset printing. It contains printing and non-printing areas and transfers the printing information to the printing material. This is usually done indirectly, i.e. via a rubber blanket cylinder. The print motif is the correct way round on the printing plate, reversed on the rubber blanket, and the correct way round again on the paper. Modern printing plates are usually made of anodised aluminium with a light-sensitive coating. This coating is directly …

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