Welcome to our community

Be apart of something great, join today!

Why are some press plates backwards, and some aren't?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

goobmcnasty

Active member
Apr 4, 2014
1,583
13
It seems to be they should all be backwards... no?

172566559369


322499310743
 

Bane50

Member
Feb 14, 2010
295
9
I believe the ink is transferred to another roller before being applied to the paper. Most 'backward' ones are for Finest type cards because it is printed on the back of the acetate.


Sent from my iPhone using Freedom Card Board mobile app
 

corockies

New member
Mar 23, 2013
1,213
0
Colorado
I think it has to do with what it's printing onto. I know that Bowman plates are the same picture as seen on the card, while Bowman Chrome plates are reversed.
 

Austin

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2008
5,706
41
Dallas, Texas
Most 'backward' ones are for Finest type cards because it is printed on the back of the acetate.
I think it has to do with what it's printing onto. I know that Bowman plates are the same picture as seen on the card, while Bowman Chrome plates are reversed.
Ah, that makes sense. I always wondered about the normal vs. reversed plates and meant to ask this question.
 
Last edited:

WCTYSON

Well-known member
Nov 3, 2014
7,364
171
[MENTION=11981]WCTYSON[/MENTION]

I can't believe after all these years you remember I was in the printing industry. How's it going?

I believe the ink is transferred to another roller before being applied to the paper. Most 'backward' ones are for Finest type cards because it is printed on the back of the acetate.

Close, but the ink rollers never touch the paper. The paper in offset printing is contacted by a blanket. It is ink rollers to plate, plate to blanket and then blanket to paper. You are correct on the 'backward' plates for printing on the back of acetate.
 

linuxabuser

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2011
2,364
50
I can't believe after all these years you remember I was in the printing industry. How's it going?

You popped my online trade cherry on BO back in 2010. You never forget your first.

I'm pretty good; living in Portland working as a network engineer.
 

goobmcnasty

Active member
Apr 4, 2014
1,583
13
I believe the ink is transferred to another roller before being applied to the paper. Most 'backward' ones are for Finest type cards because it is printed on the back of the acetate.


Sent from my iPhone using Freedom Card Board mobile app

Solid explanation. Makes sense. Thanks
 

tramers

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2008
23,265
2,251
hickory nc
I can't believe after all these years you remember I was in the printing industry. How's it going?



Close, but the ink rollers never touch the paper. The paper in offset printing is contacted by a blanket. It is ink rollers to plate, plate to blanket and then blanket to paper. You are correct on the 'backward' plates for printing on the back of acetate.
I set type on two Kluges
 

WCTYSON

Well-known member
Nov 3, 2014
7,364
171
You popped my online trade cherry on BO back in 2010. You never forget your first.

I'm pretty good; living in Portland working as a network engineer.

Right on, hope you like it there. I have friends there but have never been to the N.W., heard great things.

What he gentle?

You know me.

I set type on two Kluges

I never had a chance to do type setting. I ended my print career as a lead pressman on a 12 color, 6/6 40" Heidelberg.
 

Members online

No members online now.

Latest posts

Top