Offset Printing Promotional Products – High Quality for Large Runs

What is Offset Printing and How It Works

Offset printing is an indirect printing technique based on the principle of mutual repulsion between water and greasy printing inks. The printing form (plate) is chemically treated so that printing areas accept ink while non-printing areas repel it due to dampening with water. The ink is first transferred from the printing plate to a rubber cylinder (offset blanket) and only then to paper – hence the name "offset" (delayed transfer).

For full-color printing, the four-color CMYK model is used – Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black). Each color has its own printing plate and is successively printed through four printing units. Modern offset presses can print at speeds up to 15,000 sheets per hour with color registration accuracy of 0.1 mm. This technology ensures consistent quality even for runs in tens of thousands, making it the most efficient method for printed materials with higher volumes.

When Offset is More Cost-Effective Than Digital Printing

Offset printing has higher setup costs (printing plate production, press setup) but significantly lower unit costs for higher runs. The break-even point is usually around 100–500 pieces – below this threshold, digital printing is more cost-effective, above it, offset. The larger the run, the greater the savings – at 10,000 pieces, offset can be up to 50% cheaper than digital.

Another advantage of offset is a wider range of materials – it prints perfectly on coated papers, cardboards, self-adhesive materials, thin papers, and thick boards. Offset also enables Pantone spot colors (such as corporate colors outside the CMYK gamut), metallic colors, or UV varnishing. For projects requiring special finishes like embossing, hot stamping, or blind debossing, offset is practically the only choice. Compare with other techniques in UV digital printing or screen printing categories.

Products Suitable for Offset Printing

Offset printing dominates paper promotional products and printed materials. It's most commonly used for business cards, flyers, folders, catalogs, brochures, magazines, calendars, and corporate folders. Thanks to its ability to print on various material thicknesses, it also handles boxes, packaging, labels, stickers, or paper bags.

For corporate presentations, we offer catalogs with various bindings – saddle-stitched, perfect bound, or ring-bound. Offset printing is also ideal for high-volume production of notepads, corporate notebooks, letterheads, or labels. A special application is printing on metal or plastic boards (after surface treatment), which we use for premium business cards or advertising panels.

Materials and Finishes in Offset Printing

Offset printing works on a wide range of papers – from thin offset paper 80 g/m² for flyers to heavy cardboard 400 g/m² for business cards or packaging. Most popular are coated papers (glossy or matte), which provide the best color reproduction and fine screens. For ecological projects, we offer recycled papers or FSC-certified papers.

After printing, various finishes can be applied. Lamination (glossy or matte film) protects the print from wear and moisture. UV varnishing creates glossy accents on matte backgrounds. Embossing creates a relief effect without color. Hot stamping applies metallic foils – gold, silver, or holographic. For luxury business cards or packaging, we combine multiple finishes – for example, matte lamination with UV varnish and embossing.

Offset Printing Ordering Process

The order begins with sending your print files. Ideal are PDF files in CMYK with 300 dpi resolution and correctly set bleeds (3 mm). If you don't have prepared files, our graphic designer will help with preparation – this service includes up to 30 minutes of work free of charge. We check colors, fonts, bleeds, and create a digital proof for approval.

After approval, we produce printing plates (CTP - Computer to Plate) and start printing. Standard delivery time is 7–10 working days, express production from 5 days. Minimum run varies by product – business cards from 100 pieces, flyers from 500 pieces, catalogs from 100 pieces. For large volumes, we prepare individual price quotes with progressive discounts – the larger the run, the lower the unit price.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Offset Printing

From how many pieces is offset printing cost-effective?
The break-even point is usually 100–500 pieces depending on product type. For business cards from 100 pieces, flyers from 500 pieces, catalogs from 100 pieces. The larger the run, the more cost-effective offset is compared to digital printing.

How long does offset printing production take?
Standard delivery time is 7–10 working days. Express production is possible from 5 days with surcharge. Time depends on project complexity and current press workload.

Can you print Pantone colors?
Yes, offset printing allows use of Pantone spot colors in addition to standard CMYK model. This is ideal for accurate reproduction of corporate colors that cannot be achieved with four-color printing.

What file format do you need for offset printing?
Ideal is PDF with embedded fonts, CMYK color profile, 300 dpi resolution, and correctly set 3 mm bleeds. We also accept AI, InDesign, or CorelDraw – our graphic designer will check and optimize the files.

Is offset printing eco-friendly?
Yes, we offer ecological offset with bio-inks based on vegetable oils and recycled papers with FSC certification. Modern presses also minimize chemical and energy consumption.

Can offset be combined with other techniques?
Yes, we often combine offset printing with subsequent personalization using digital printing (for example, catalogs with individual names), or with embroidery and engraving for combined promotional sets.