In modern presses, the image is transferred from the printing plate to a rubber blanket and then to the paper. Hence the name offset. Although there are many different kinds, sizes, and qualities of offset presses, the basic configuration remains the same. When the printing plate is exposed, an ink-receptive coating is activated at the image area. On the press, the plate is dampened, first by water rollers, then by ink rollers.
Ink adheres to the image area and water to the non-image area.
As the cylinders rotate, the image is transferred to the blanket. Paper passes between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder and the image is transferred to the paper. The major types of offset presses are sheetfed and web. In a sheetfed press, cut paper is delivered into the machine. In a web press, paper comes on a large roll and is cut after printing.