A set off is a problem that occurs in the offset printing process, especially in printing and publishing. This method involves picking off the ink from the plate and roll-printing it onto the printing surface. Set-off, therefore, refers to the accidental migration of wet ink from one printed page to another, usually leading to unclear or smudgy impressions.
Most cases of set off arise due to inks that dry slowly or overloading of ink when using digital printers. This issue occurs when the print on the sheets rubs onto other sheets that have already been printed on the press. The challenge mainly prevails at quick print jobs where papers are stacked swiftly for additional activities.
However, set off may have several disadvantages that adversely affect the quality and appearance of the last copy. This problem can lead to image distortion, smearing of texts, and color bleeding, resulting in the loss of the message’s sharpness and clarity. On the other hand, set off tends to increase printing costs in that there may be cases whereby the copies are faulty and must be at disposal.
Printers and publishers use several preventive tactics to minimize set off. Examples of these are varying ink viscosity, controlling ink tackiness, and the use of low-pile or non-set-off paper stocks. Interleaf sheets are usually made of paper or material repulsing wet ink. They can be included between printed sheets to help avoid “set off.”
Finally, set-off remains one of the most widespread problems in print houses, where ink is often carried over from one sheet to another. This issue can lead to smearing, smudging, blurring, and generally reduced print quality, among other printing problems. The use of proper materials and enactment of preventative measures for “set off” will help in reducing costs in production and ensuring high-quality printed materials.