How to print a book? -- Printing service process

[warson]

Offset printing is something almost every commercial printer is involved in. However the quality of offset printing often depends on the experience of the printer and the equipment used. There are three main steps in the printing process.

Pre-press Production: Once the artwork has been approved it needs to be converted to film and plates for printing. The film negatives are created from the digital files. The images from the negatives are then transferred onto the printing plates much like developing photographs. Different materials from paper to aluminum are used to produce plates. Each of the four colors – C, M, Y and K has a separate plate.
The Press Run: Offset printing works on the principle that oil and water do not mix. The press run or offset printing process or offset press is made of the feeding system, the printing system or three cylinders, the inking system and the delivery system. There are different types of offset presses as well that are used for the press run. The press run starts with a blank substrate and ends with a printed substrate.
Bindery: The bindery is the stage when the printed substrate is given the final treatment before it is declared ready for use. If the substrate is in the form of a large roll, it is cut into required size sheets. It is glued, bound, stapled and collated before being shipped to the final destination.
Thus, the offset printing process involves a number of stages and the hard work of many professionals. It is no wonder that offset printing is a large industry in itself and the applications of offset printing are increasing day by day.

[xpquickprint]

Can you list the reasons you at Warson still use film instead of direct to plate?

[RichardK]

I can't believe what I just read...the most simplistic overview of our industry I think I've ever clapped eyes on.

Can you explain please why you think the pro's on this site need to be patronised like this?

Basically the post is a blatant ad for book printing in China - want to see your local economy circle the drain? No I didn't think so.

Just my opinion is all.