Waterless printing is an evolutionary progression in the offset lithographic process. Traditional Lithographic printing relies on water, (and additives), being applied to the non-image areas (hydrophilic), while the ink is attracted to the image areas, (hydrophobic). In waterless printing the non-image areas are left with an ink rejecting coating.

The addition of water in lithographic printing creates numerous problems that the paper maker and printer are able to overcome to a greater or lesser extent. Ink emulsification, water based back trap mottle, piling, slow drying, misregister, and wet pick are typical water based problems. The addition of iso propyl alcohol and other water additives creates some environmental issues.

To the print buyer waterless offset allows purer more saturated colours, better drying, particularly on non-absorbent stocks, tighter registration, and is more environmentally fri