Have you ever wondered how your favorite book or magazine gets printed with such precision? The answer lies in the pre-press process, and more specifically, in stripping. In this article, we'll dive deep into what stripping is, how it works, and why it's so important.
Stripping is a step in the pre-press process of printing that involves assembling the printing plates for each color separation onto a substrate or carrier sheet. It's an essential part of the printing process that helps to ensure that each color is printed in the right place and with the right intensity.
The process of stripping begins with creating color separations from the original artwork using a halftone screen. Each color separation is then made into a printing plate. These plates are then assembled onto a substrate or carrier sheet in the correct order, using precise registration marks to ensure they are aligned perfectly.
Without stripping, it would be impossible to produce high-quality printed materials with accurate colors and sharp images. It ensures that every element of a design is printed exactly where it needs to be, without any offset or misalignment.
The materials used in stripping include printing plates, substrate or carrier sheets, and registration marks. Each of these components must be carefully chosen and prepared to ensure they work together seamlessly during the printing process.
There are several techniques used in stripping, including hand-stripping, mechanical stripping, and computerized stripping. Each has its advantages and disadvantages depending on the complexity of the design and the volume of printing required.
With advancements in technology, stripping has become much more efficient and precise over time. Computerized stripping has become increasingly common as it allows for more complex designs to be assembled quickly and accurately.
References:
