Offset Printing

An offset printing specialist or printing machinist organises and operates printing presses to produce items like cards, magazines and books.

Letterpress, the oldest form of printing, lithographic, flexographic and gravure printing presses all have different methods, processes and results that a printing machinist should be familiar with. They should also be able to select the most appropriate machine for the particular job, plan and arrange image materials, combine inks and regulate colour flows, and adjust the printing plates to fit the item involved.

Offset printers should also be able to perform minor maintenance on their equipment and understand the machine. Printing machinists should be able to perform their roles in both small business sites and large manufacturing operations.

Fast Facts

In 1440, Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press, fundamentally changing the way we communicate. Written information could be reproduced easily and became accessible to larger groups of the population.
Source: Heidelberg

The “Tiegel” (Platen press) by Heidelberg, defines new printing standards by printing at 1,000 printed sheets per hour in 1914. Today, the fastest Heidelberg machine reaches speeds of 18,000 sheets per hour.
Source: Heidelberg