The printing blanket has become a staple of the offset printing method. The printing blanket is a smooth mat that is wrapped around a cylinder within the printing unit. This mat acts as a cushion that presses against the master and picks up the image. The purpose of the printing blanket is to transfer the image from the master to the sheet. In other words, the printing blanket is the medium that carries the image from the plate to the paper. Printing blankets are designed to be removed and replaced periodically to compensate for wear.

Holes and Bars

Blankets for the most part come in two variants; those with bars and those that are punched. The difference is in how the blankets are mounted to the blanket cylinder. Most larger and more modern presses use blankets with bars. Barred blankets have a straight piece of metal crimped onto each end of the blanket. Punched blankets, as shown above, will have a row punched holes along each end of the blanket, these holes are lined up with a pinbar and are then locked into position.

Under Blankets

Under blankets are a secondary blanket that is installed below the primary blanket. Some presses utilize this 2-ply blanket system to give the operator more control over the blanket thickness which is the means of adjustment for printing pressure. Under blankets will come cut to size for the press and will match the primary blanket. In some situations the under blanket should be replaced at the same time as the primary blanket. In low wear situations it is not uncommon for underblankets to last as long as two primary blankets.

Packing

Packing serves a very similar purpose to under blankets. Packing is installed below the primary blanket as a means of increasing printing pressure. Packing can come cut to size but certain suppliers offer larger standard sizes that can be cut to fit. Packing can also come with adhesive to make installation much easier, this packing is called Sticky Back. Packing does wear out and needs to be replaced when printing pressure is low. Packing has a much longer lifespan than under blankets

Sort By:

Page of 2

Varn Swell Blanket Repair

A fast acting, topical blanket smash repair. Works quickly to eliminate expensive downtime by applying directly to the damaged area or low spot of the blanket to restore a proper printing surface for halftones and critical images.