What is offset printing machine? 10 most popular offset printing machines 2024

Offset printing machines use offset printing technology, a popular and efficient method in the industrial printing sector. Offset printing offers many outstanding advantages, delivering high-quality prints with sharp and accurate colors and images. The precise printing process and excellent ink control ensure consistent quality for large-volume printing.

Offset printing machines are flexible in printing on various materials and are equipped with automation features, increasing production speed. Therefore, offset printing has become the top choice for commercial, advertising, and communication publications.

Learn about offset printing technology

Offset printing, or offset lithography, is an indirect printing method where the image is transferred from the offset printing plate to a rubber blanket before being printed onto paper. The plate transfers ink from the plate cylinder to the blanket cylinder, which then transfers it to the paper. Offset printing is commonly used for producing books, magazines, packaging, and many other printing applications.

Learn more: Offset printing plate

What are the advantages of offset printing?

• • High print quality: Offset printing provides very high print quality, allowing for accurate, detailed, and sharp reproduction of images and colors on various paper surfaces.
  • High resolution: With the ability to print at high resolutions, offset printing is suitable for products requiring high detail, such as books, magazines, or labels.
  • Multi-color printing capability: Offset printing can print with various colors, from monochrome to complex colors, ensuring very accurate color reproduction.
  • Printing on different materials: It can print on various types of paper, from thin to thick, from rough to glossy, as well as on other surfaces like metal and plastic.
  • Efficient mass production: Suitable for mass production of printed products in large quantities, while reducing production costs due to increased efficiency and lower unit costs.

Disadvantages of offset printing

• • High initial costs: The initial setup costs for offset printing machines are very high, especially for small quantities or single products.
  • Time-consuming setup: The setup process for offset printing machines is time-consuming, especially for complex printing jobs or small print runs.
  • Waste of printing materials: Producing a complete print using an offset printing machine requires a large amount of initial printing material to set up the machine and adjust colors.
  • Not flexible for small quantities: Offset printing is generally not suitable for small print runs due to high initial costs and long setup times.

Structure of an offset printing machine

An offset printing machine consists of main components such as the paper feed unit, one or more printing units (each corresponding to a printing color), the paper transfer unit, the paper delivery unit, and the control panel.

Structure of a printing unit in an offset printing machine

• • Plate cylinder: A metal cylinder on which the printing plate is mounted. The printing plate has ink-receptive (hydrophobic) and non-printing (hydrophilic) areas.
  • Blanket cylinder: A cylinder carrying the rubber offset blanket. The image is transferred from the printing plate to the blanket and then onto the paper.
  • Impression cylinder: This cylinder presses the paper against the blanket cylinder, transferring the image from the blanket to the paper.
  • Dampening system: A system of rollers that apply a dampening solution to the non-printing areas of the plate to prevent ink from adhering. The dampening solution typically includes water, acid, gum arabic, isopropyl alcohol, and other components.
  • Inking system: Consists of an ink fountain and an ink transfer system. The ink fountain stores the printing ink, and the transfer system distributes the ink evenly onto the plate.

Top 10 most popular offset printing machines today

Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 106

Manufacturer: Heidelberg.

Key features:

• • Continuous process optimization with artificial intelligence.
  • New HEIDELBERG user experience on the Speedmaster.
  • Integrated Speedmaster operating system with intuitive touch operation.
  • Reduced setup time with automatic air adjustment when changing printing materials using preset parameters.
  • Quick plate change in under 1 minute with AutoPlate XL 3.
  • No need for print quality inspection with the waste removal system.
  • Improved OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) and operator-independent performance through smart automation.
  • Automated printing from the first sheet to the last.
  • Optimized and automated plate transport with Plate to Gallery and Plate to Unit.

Applications: Printing books, magazines, packaging, and high-end commercial publications.

Komori Lithrone G37

Manufacturer: Komori.

This machine is suitable for small and large production runs, as well as test printing, with the following features:

• • KHS-AI technology: A standard device that optimizes the printing process, ensuring accurate and stable color reproduction.
  • Printing speed: Stable operation with a maximum speed of up to 15,000 sheets per hour (sph).
  • Sheet thickness: Can print on sheets ranging from 0.04 to 0.6 mm, with an option for 0.06 to 0.8 mm.
  • Sheet size: Maximum 640 x 940 mm, meeting diverse printing needs from publishing and commercial to packaging.

Applications: Printing books, magazines, packaging, and advertising products.

Manroland Roland 700 Evolution

Manufacturer: Manroland.

The ROLAND 700 Evolution Elite is a sheetfed offset printing machine in 3B and 3B Plus formats, known for its efficiency, productivity, and superior print quality. Key features include:

• • High speed: Up to 18,000 sheets per hour.
  • Paper thickness: 0.04 – 1.0 mm.
  • Sheet size: Maximum 780 x 1050 mm.
  • Advanced technology: InlineColorPilot 3.0, InlineInspector 3.0, TripleFlow printing unit, and DirectDrive technology.
  • Automation: Quick plate change, automatic machine adjustment, and automatic plate change.

Applications:

• • High-speed production.
  • Superior print quality.
  • Efficiency with low waste.
  • Suitable for commercial and packaging applications.

KBA Rapida 106X

Manufacturer: Koenig & Bauer (KBA).

Key features:

• • Maximum production speed: Net sheet output of up to 22,000 sheets per hour due to high production speed.
  • Outstanding productivity: Enhanced by advanced automation concepts, allowing multiple simultaneous preparation processes and automated printing.
  • Excellent print quality: Ensured by market-leading measurement and control systems.
  • Maximum convenience: New-generation operation concept with a fully intuitive user interface for maximum convenience.
  • Pioneering digitalization: Customer community at the center of providing all digital services and the LiveApp family, offering maximum support for press operations and warehouse management.
  • Enhanced security: Fully automated plate logistics system, from plate loader to press changer, eliminating manual intervention entirely.

Applications: Printing packaging, magazines, books, and advertising publications.

Mitsubishi Diamond V3000

Manufacturer: Mitsubishi.

Key features:

• • Energy saving: Energy-saving technology and ink waste reduction.
  • Color control system: The Color Control system automatically adjusts colors, ensuring consistent print quality.
  • Print quality: Sharp printing technology enhances image quality and print detail.
  • High speed: The modern printing technology allows for up to 15,000 prints per day.

Applications: Printing books, packaging, flyers, and advertising products.

Ryobi 756

Manufacturer: Ryobi (now RMGT after merging with Mitsubishi).

Key features:

• • High speed and efficiency: The Ryobi 706 offset printing machine can print at high speeds, meeting large production demands of up to 15,000 sheets per hour.
  • Superior print quality: With advanced printing technology, the machine ensures sharp, vibrant colors and high accuracy.
  • Integrated automation technology: The automation system reduces setup time and optimizes the printing process, including features like automatic plate change and color adjustment.
  • Energy and ink saving: The machine is equipped with energy-saving and ink-saving technologies, reducing production costs and protecting the environment.
  • Quality control system: A modern print quality control system, including sensors and software for automatic color and ink thickness adjustment, ensures consistent and accurate prints.
  • Flexible design: The machine can print on various materials and sizes, from thin paper to cardboard, meeting diverse printing needs.
  • Easy operation and maintenance: With a user-friendly interface and operational support features, the Ryobi 706 offset printing machine is easy to use and maintain, minimizing technical issues and enhancing production efficiency.
  • UV printing technology: The UV printing system allows for quick ink drying, suitable for high-quality products and fast production times.

Applications: Printing books, magazines, packaging, and advertising publications.

Akiyama Mega Jprint

Manufacturer: Akiyama.

Key features:

• • High printing speed: The Megaj is designed to achieve a printing speed of 15,000 sheets per hour, suitable for large production demands.
  • Automation technology: The machine is equipped with automatic systems such as automatic paper thickness adjustment and color adjustment, increasing production efficiency.
  • High print quality: With advanced quality control systems, the Megaj ensures sharp images and vibrant colors.
  • Energy saving: The printing machine is designed with energy-saving technologies, reducing power consumption and operating costs.
  • High durability: The machine’s components are made from high-quality materials, ensuring durability and long lifespan.

Applications: Printing packaging, advertising products, and high-quality publications.

Heidelberg CD 102

Manufacturer: Heidelberg.

Key features:

• • High-speed printing with a maximum capacity of 15,000 prints per day. Designed for industrial printing.
  • Color control technology: The Prinect Inpress Control system ensures accurate color adjustment during printing.
  • Automation system: AutoPlate and AutoRun reduce setup time and increase productivity.
  • Energy saving: Technology that reduces power consumption and ink usage.

Applications: Printing books, magazines, high-end packaging, and commercial publications.

Komori Lithrone S40

Manufacturer: Komori.

Key features:

• • Modern printing machine with high automation, fast and efficient printing. Printing speed up to 15,000 prints per day.
  • Sheetfed printing quality combined with web press productivity.
  • Double-sided printing in one pass, significantly reducing costs and increasing production efficiency.
  • Consistent print quality between the front and back sides.
  • Reduced paper costs by clamping only one end of the sheet during double-sided printing.
  • Convenient plate-making method combined with single-sided printing.
  • Basic cylinder array without transfer cylinders between units.
  • Sheet transfer system and output conveyor guide reduce scratches and sheet marking.
  • High productivity, two or more times higher than single-sided printing machines with the same installation area.

Applications: Printing books, packaging, catalogs, and advertising publications.

Manroland Roland 900 Evolution

Manufacturer: Manroland.

Key features:

• • High efficiency: Speed up to 16,500 sheets per hour, with TripleFlow technology ensuring stable color control.
  • Quick setup: Simultaneous Plate Loading technology enables quick plate changes, reducing setup time.
  • Superior print quality: Ensures high-quality printing, even after millions of prints.
  • Energy saving: AC Drive saves up to 10,000 kWh per year.
  • Automation: InlineInspector and InlineColorPilot systems for automatic quality control.

Applications: Printing books, magazines, packaging, and advertising products.

Conclusion

We hope the above information helps you better understand offset printing and the most commonly used offset printing machines today. Additionally, An Quang provides high-quality and reliable CTP plates, along with plate-making and proofing machines to create printing plates for the offset printing process.

An Quang Joint Stock Company is committed to providing customers with the best quality products and services, fully meeting printing needs. Any questions will be answered via hotline: +84-968.866.338 or direct messaging on our fanpage: www.facebook.com/anquangjsc. An Quang is honored to serve you!