A printing blanket is the compliant, precisely engineered interface that transfers ink from plate to substrate in offset and many industrial processes.Mechanically, the surface compound grips, releases, and resists glazing: the compressible layer absorbs pressure spikes (smash events) and equalizes nip pressure: the fabric plies lock the gauge and keep the blanket dimensional under tension and heat. When you dial in the right blanket, you get faster color-to-color register, less waste on startup, cleaner solids, and predictable dot gain. Its job looks simple, accept the image and lay it down, but the blanket simultaneously must:
- Conform to stock thickness variation without crushing the sheet
- Hold micro-dots and fine linework without slur or doubling
- Resist chemical swell from inks, washes, and fountain solutions
- Recover instantly at production speeds
If you’d rather start with proven OEM and aftermarket constructions, PSD stocks and sources respected blanket lines, including options for specific press models and substrates, such as Hamada blankets, Toko blankets, and A.B. Dick blankets.
Selection Criteria And Use Cases
A blanket that performs perfectly on coated stock at 15,000 sheets per hour may fail under the heat and tension of a web press or the roughness of uncoated board. Understanding how surface finish, compressibility, and compound chemistry interact with your substrates and inks is key to consistent print quality.
Substrates: Coated Stock, Uncoated, Board, And Non‑Paper
- Coated: Favor a slightly harder, fine-finish surface for crisp dots and fast release.
- Uncoated/textured: A touch more surface "tooth" improves ink lay and combats mottle.
- Folding carton/board: Look for robust compressible layers and higher smash resistance: gauge stability is critical for die-cut register.
- Non-paper (films, synthetics): UV/LED-UV compatible compounds with excellent release and minimal static pickup.
Speed, Heat, And Smash Resistance Requirements
- High-speed sheetfed (15–18k sph): Requires fast-recovery compressible layers and stable surface friction to avoid sheet stick.
- Heatset web: Choose blankets that tolerate dryer heat and won't embrittle: verify binder systems for thermal cycling.
- Smash resilience: If you run frequent make-readies on mixed stock, prioritize micro-sphere compressible designs with proven rebound.
Minimizing Dot Gain And Achieving Fine Detail
- Use a harder face with fine Ra, precise packing, and correct nip pressure.
- Keep fount conductivity and pH in spec: over-wet prints balloon dot gain regardless of blanket.
- Monitor highlight retention with a control strip (2–3% dots). If they fill in, reduce squeeze or step to a finer-finish blanket.
UV Ink, Washes, And Solvent Compatibility
- Running UV or LED-UV? Use EPDM or hybrid compounds and UV-approved washes. Mixing UV inks with petroleum washes is a fast route to swelling.
- For shops switching between conventional and LED-UV, a true hybrid blanket can work, but validate with your specific inks and cleaning schedule.
Printing Blankets: Frequently Asked Questions
