Graphic Design & Printing Technology
Correct paper stock, plus make ready and waste sheets.
Printing plates on hand.
Wash up solvents and blanket wash.
Special instructions, if any.
Finishing operations
Make ready
Make ready refers to the procedures preparing the press to print a particular
job. The term make ready covers all the activities the press operator performs
between beginning the job and actually running the job.
Press lubrication :- Correct press lubrication reduces wear on all moving
parts and lengthens press life. Lack of lubrication, use of inferior lubricants or
carelessness in the use of lubricants shortens the productive life of press.
Lubricate the feeder and delivery drive chains once a week. Use gear greese
compund on all gears. Use penetrating oils whereever applicable. Motors
should be oiled during the weekly lubrication. Those with greese fitting require
greese atleast twice a year.
Paper and Ink:- Verify the paper size supplied for the job. Make sure the
grade size and quantity are correct. Make sure the press sheet grain direction
is appropriate to the job. Obtain the required ink for the job.
Starting procedure
The following is the general sequence of step in setting up and running a job in
an offset press.
Preparing the inking unit:- Ink rollers should be cleaned of all lint and dust
before filling the ink fountain. Clean the rollers with blanket and roller wash.
Remove the fountain and clean it thoroughly using roller wash.
Fill the ink fountain by applying small amounts of ink with an ink knife against
the fountain roller. The fountain is equipped with a number of adjusting keys
or screws. Turning these keys clockwise decrease the flow of ink and turning
the key counter increase the flow of ink.
Preparing the dampening unit :- The dampening fountain and the fountain
roller should be clean and free of dirt. Fill the fountain bottle with proper
mixture of fountain solution. The dampener form rollers should remain off
and should not contact the plate.
Start the press, allowing the rollers to pick up moisture. Operate the fountain
roller by hand to help the moisture along. If necessary you can use sponge to
drip a little fountain solution on the oscillating roller and dampener ductor
roller. Stop the press turn the hand wheel to bring the water ductor roller into