For centuries, printing has enjoyed a monopoly over the distribution of information. It has helped to make other media such as radio, television, and film possible, and has also been instrumental in creating textiles, packaging, and miniature electronic circuits. Printing has also become a common part of modern life. Many people have their own personal collections of printed books and magazines, and many companies use printing as a means of promotion. Here are a few advantages of offset printing.
Block printing is an older method of reproduction that uses plates or metal types with raised areas to capture the image. The raised area takes on the color of the underlying ink, which is sometimes referred to as “raising” printing. The groundwood paper is an example of this, as it contains the lignin that holds the cellulose fibers together. The result is a high-contrast image, often known as line art or line work. Some papers are made of two-sided paper and have overlapping layers.
Modern printing processes use a combination of mechanical pressure and digital technology to achieve high-quality reproductions. The modern processes do not require a material concept for colouring agents. This represents a major technological advance and may replace older processes. The use of a wide variety of media makes it possible to reproduce both black and white and colour text, illustrations, and posters in any number of identical copies. In some cases, printing is an essential part of transaction printing and paper-based publishing.