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Glite Dictionary
photo-offset

photo-offset

7.8
A way of printing that uses plates made from photographs to copy pictures and text
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : foto-offset
  • The artist chose photo-offset printing to create vibrant reproductions of her paintings.

Examples

  • This comprehensive definition includes a number of printing technologies, ranging from traditional chromolithography to more modern photo offset printing processes.

    Academic text (2009)

  • Also, from a technical standpoint, the photo offset process by which most underground newspapers were printed allowed for a certain degree of graphic experimentation if you were in the correct frame of mind.

    Blog text (27)

  • Many magazines use photo-offset techniques to achieve high-quality images and sharp text.

  • Photo-offset printing is widely used in the production of brochures and flyers due to its efficiency.

Synonyms

offset
vsphoto-offset
  • Specialized
2 8.1

A printing method that moves ink from a plate to a rubber surface and then to paper

focuses on using photomechanically produced plates rather than general plate types
offset printing
vsphoto-offset
  • Specialized
1 4.9

A printing method that transfers ink from a metal plate to a rubber sheet and then to paper

specifies use of photomechanical plates rather than unspecified plate-making methods
photo-offset printing
vsphoto-offset
  • Specialized
6.1

A printing method that uses a metal plate and a rubber sheet to print images on paper

is the same printing method described using photomechanical plates
offset lithography
vsphoto-offset
  • Specialized
6.2

A way of printing where ink moves from a plate to a rubber sheet, then to paper for many copies

does not involve photomechanical plate production, unlike the key method
photogelatin process
vsphoto-offset
  • Archaic
9.9

A way to print pictures using a glass plate covered with gelatin to transfer the image

uses a rubber blanket transfer and photomechanical plates rather than gelatin glass plates
photomechanics
vsphoto-offset
  • Specialized
9.5

The process of making printing plates from photos to print images

is the actual printing method that uses those photomechanically made plates in transfer

Surface Forms

photo-offset singular
photo-offsets plural

Morphology

photo-offset = offset (semi-transparent) = photo + offset

The structure is clear as photo- + offset, but the specialized printing sense is technical rather than fully predictable for an average learner.

Etymology

Photo-offset starts with photo ('light'), the same part you see in photograph, and ends with offset ('to move off' or 'transfer'). So a photo-offset printing method uses plates made by light and then transfers the image onto paper, which is why it means a way to print pictures and text.