How offset printing works: press sheets and signatures
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The details
In sheetfed offset printing, individual large sheets of paper are fed through the press. Instead of printing one page at a time, the press prints multiple pages together on one large sheet, arranged in a specific pattern called a press sheet layout.
What is a signature? A signature is a large printed sheet that contains several pages of a book. After printing, the sheet is folded in a specific sequence and trimmed, creating a section of the book with the pages in the correct order. A 16-page signature contains 16 pages once folded and trimmed.
This is why page counts have to land on set multiples. See How to count pages.
Common questions
What is sheet-fed offset printing, and how does it work?
There are two ways to print your book: offset printing (also known as bulk or sheet-fed printing) and POD (print on demand). To keep it simple:
With print on demand, your book is digitally printed. Think of your home or office laser printer. One or more copies of your book are printed from a digital file and bound.
With offset printing, we create CMYK plates that transfer ink to paper. It takes more time because every book has a custom plate setup, which is why it doesn't make financial sense (to an author or a printer) to print fewer than 300 copies. But once you are set up, the more books you print, the lower the cost per book. With POD, the price per book is basically the same no matter how many you print.
Offset also lets you customize: trim size, unique features and decorating that POD can't do. Because every project has a custom setup, almost anything is possible: custom sizes, library binding, gilded edges, gold foil stamping, flip-n-flaps, die cuts, mirror pages, and a range of eco-friendly papers and materials that POD limits.
Bulk printing takes longer than POD because of the setup, and if shipping from overseas. In return you get the best price per book, better colour consistency and unlimited options.
When is sheet-fed offset printing better than digital printing?
It usually comes down to quantity, cost, quality, paper choices and turnaround time. Offset is more economical for larger runs (over 500 copies), and when consistent, high-quality colour, a wide range of stocks and finishing options matter.
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