Offset printing is a commonly used printing technique where the inked image is transferred (or “offset”) from a plate to a rubber blanket, then to the printing surface. The printing surface maybe any of a number of types of paper or other materials. When used in combination with the lithographic process, which is based on the repulsion of oil and water, the offset technique employs a flat (planographic) image carrier on which the image to be printed obtains ink from ink rollers, while the non-printing area attracts a water-based film (called “fountain solution”), keeping the non-printing areas ink-free.
There are two developed versions of offset printing, printing on tin was developed by Robert Barclay in 1875. And in the USA the version of printing on paper was developed by Ira Washington Rubel in 1903.