In printing

Printing

Printing is a process for reproducing text and image, typically with ink on paper using a printing press. It is often carried out as a large-scale industrial process, and is an essential part of publishing and transaction printing....

, set-off is the American term given to the unwanted transfer of ink from one printed sheet to another. The problem can occur with most types of printing, and is avoided by the use of anti-set-off spray powder

Anti-set-off spray powder

In printing, anti-set-off spray powder is used to make an air gap between printed sheets of paper. This enables the ink to dry naturally and therefore avoid the unwanted transfer of ink from one printed sheet to another. The problem can occur with most types of printing.Anti-set-off spray powder is...

.

The term in offset printing

Offset printing

Offset printing is a commonly used printing technique in which the inked image is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket, then to the printing surface...

 also refers to the unwanted transfer of ink

Ink

Ink is a liquid or paste that contains pigments and/or dyes and is used to color a surface to produce an image, text, or design. Ink is used for drawing and/or writing with a pen, brush, or quill...

 to rollers and friction points throughout the printing press. Ink that is not properly dried or set can build up over time and cause marking on the finished product.

Additionally, some offset printing applications add moisture back into the paper after an offset heat set dryer. Water that does not have enough hardness will break down the calcium carbonate

Calcium carbonate

Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound with the formula CaCO3. It is a common substance found in rocks in all parts of the world, and is the main component of shells of marine organisms, snails, coal balls, pearls, and eggshells. Calcium carbonate is the active ingredient in agricultural lime,...

 in the paper and cause build-up or set-off on later components of the press.

See also

• lithography
  Lithography
  Lithography is a method for printing using a stone or a metal plate with a completely smooth surface...
  
  
• offset printing
  Offset printing
  Offset printing is a commonly used printing technique in which the inked image is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket, then to the printing surface...
  
  
• letterpress printing
  Letterpress printing
  Letterpress printing is relief printing of text and image using a press with a "type-high bed" printing press and movable type, in which a reversed, raised surface is inked and then pressed into a sheet of paper to obtain a positive right-reading image...
  
  
• printmaking
  Printmaking
  Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. Printmaking normally covers only the process of creating prints with an element of originality, rather than just being a photographic reproduction of a painting. Except in the case of monotyping, the process is capable...
  
  
• printing press
  Printing press
  A printing press is a device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium , thereby transferring the ink...
  
  
• color printing
  Color printing
  Color printing or Colour printing is the reproduction of an image or text in color...
  
   - Colour Printing
• MAN Roland
  MAN Roland
  manroland AG manufactures newspaper web offset presses, commercial web offset presses, and sheetfed offset presses for commercial, publications and packaging printing.The company has production facilities in Offenbach am Main and Augsburg...
  
  
• Koenig & Bauer
  Koenig & Bauer
  Koenig & Bauer AG is a German company that makes printing presses based in Würzburg. It was founded by Friedrich Koenig and Andreas Friedrich Bauer in Würzburg in 1817, making it the oldest printing press manufacturer in the world....
  
   - KBA
• Komori
  Komori
  Komori is the fourth largest manufacturer of printing presses, behind MAN Roland, Heidelberg and Koenig & Bauer AG . Komori is based in Japan and was founded in October 1923....
  
  
• Heidelberger Druckmaschinen
  Heidelberger Druckmaschinen
  Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG is a German precision mechanical engineering company with head offices in Heidelberg . It is a manufacturer of offset printing presses sold globally. The company has a worldwide market share of more than 47% in this area and is the largest global manufacturer of...
  
   - Heidelberg
• See also Printing

External links

• How To Control Setoff In Offset Printing
• Learn about printing — International Paper
• Glossary of printing terms — International Paper