lithographic
PRINTING
Lithographic printing delivers the best results
A high-quality, consistent image which is suitable for a wide range of surfaces including paper, card and plastics. Unit cost decreases as the quantity increases and is able to cope with long runs without losing quality. Special inks are available, such as Pantone spots and metallics.
Our Litho press has 5 printing units
We can run up to 5 Spot colours at once. This can be a great advantage if corporate colours are needed. You will need to specify if you require special colours for lithographic printing as all our prices are quoted 4 colour process.
Most jobs are still run in 4 colour process CMYK, which is made up of C (Cyan), M (Magenta), Y (Yellow) and K (Black). The image is split in to these primary colours and prints as a set of patterns or percentages of each colour to make up the desired image. For example, if you print 100% Yellow and 100% Magenta you will get Red.
Everything is overseen by highly skilled operators. With over 85 years of combined experience, we are confident of providing a quality service on time, every time.
Have you ever wanted to know how lithographic printing works? What it is, and its origins?
We want our customers to understand more about what we do, so here’s a quick overview of lithographic printing.
What is lithographic printing?
Lithography is derived from the Greek words, ‘Lithos’ meaning ‘stone and Graphein’ meaning ‘to write’. In the beginning stones would have been carved and used like a stencil. This technique is now called ‘offset lithography’ printing, and has moved on since those early days.
Images and text are etched on to a coated aluminium plate by a laser. The plate is put on a printing press, which is made up of lots of rollers. The plate is then inked up and transferred to a rubber blanket. 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; whilst the non-printing area attracts a water-based film (called “fountain solution”), keeping the non-printing areas ink-free.
Advantages of lithographic printing
- Suited for medium to long runs. We can run 10,000 + sheets per hour, so if a higher quantity is required, this process would be a better option rather than digital printing. Generally as the quantity rises, the cost per unit drops.
- High resolutions can be achieved which gives a better quality print.
- We can remove the inks on the press from any unit and mix specific colours to match your specification.
There are a few disadvantages
- It can take a lot of waste material to run a job on a litho press. A skilled operator is needed to get all the weights of ink correct and the material feeding correctly.
- If you need personalisation, then you would have to create new plates and set up (making ready for each option, and would be better to digitally print).
Still need help?
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Committed to sustainability
We’re committed to reducing our impact on the environment. From innovative packaging and sourcing carbon-neutral and eco-friendly papers to minimising and recycling our waste, we’re dedicated to doing good for our planet.
We can offer clients options to print on part or 100% recycled papers, both coated and uncoated.
Since upgrading our equipment, going from computer to plate has reduced our chemical usage by over 95%
Through recycling, we minimise the impact we have on the environment. Waste paper is collected and recycled.
We can offer clients printing with vegetable based inks. These inks use vegetable oil instead of mineral oil. In contrast, vegetable oils are derived from renewable resources and also benefit the environment due to greater ease of removal from waste paper during de-inking for recycling.