What Goes On Inside A Printing Press

by Dominick Raucci Business Head

A printing press is an iconic product that has stood the test of time and technology to emerge as an important invention in the 21^st century. Often used in protests against anarchists as well as expressions of freedom, the printing press has always been revered as a medium through which people could be heard. The newspapers we read, the magazines we love, the books we devour as well as most of the printed material that makes up a large portion of knowledge in this world comes from the printing press. Therefore, in this article, we take a look at the mystic parts inside a printing press that facilitate its essential activities.

Printing Blankets

The printing blankets are majorly used in offset form of printing, where images of high quality are imprinted on the surface of one’s choosing. Basically, the technique involves passing on of an image from a plate onto a rubber blanket with the help of graphic chemical and ink. This rubber blanket is referred to as printing blanket and serves as an essential intermediary between the plate and the surface upon which the image is to be printed. These blankets have to be replaced at regular intervals.

The Cartridge

This is the container within the printer that plays host to the graphic chemical and ink which is used to print the desired data. As such, the cartridge is extremely important to the functioning of the printer and it is this part which has to be replaced most often owing to depletion or blockade. Cartridges differ in their size and type depending on the printer and its functions but are present in all printers across the globe. The recently developed 3D printer differs from all existent printers in its composition save for the cartridge.

Blades

There are blades present on the inside of a printer called wash up blades. Basically, both old and new printing presses require the tolerance of your images to be fine tuned. Any discrepancy here is directly reflected in the quality and integrity of the image to be printed; a condition one cannot afford. This is where wash up blades come into play. These blades are completely resistant to water, ink and other corrosive chemicals and stand tall in tribute to the durability and reputation of the printing industry. The blades ensure that the borders and structural integrity of the image is maintained and tolerance is kept low.

Rubber Rollers

Rubber rollers are an essential cog in the functioning of the printing press without which the machine would not last half as long. These are metal cores coated with a rubber enamel to reduce friction. The act of printing involves several mechanical functions with a high scope for scratching and damage. Rubber rollers prevent this wear and tear by converting static friction into rolling friction. Additionally, they ensure that any discrepancies in one part of the machine is restricted to that part and does not damage other parts.

Source:

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