lithographic
PRINTING
Lithographic printing – precision at scale
Lithographic printing is the gold standard for professional results. It produces consistently sharp, high-quality images across a wide range of surfaces — from paper and card to plastics. Perfect for long runs, litho ensures every print is flawless, while unit costs drop as quantities rise. For projects demanding brand consistency or striking visual effects, specialist inks such as Pantone spots and metallics are also available.
Advanced press technology
Our litho press features five printing units, giving us the flexibility to run up to five spot colours simultaneously — a major advantage when corporate branding demands precise colour accuracy. While most jobs use standard CMYK four-colour process (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black), we can deliver exact matches when specific spot colours are required. CMYK layering allows for the full spectrum of colours: for example, combining 100% Yellow with 100% Magenta produces a rich, vibrant Red.
With over 90 years of combined expertise, our skilled operators ensure every job is delivered with precision, quality, and reliability — on time, every time.
How does lithographic printing work?
Curious about lithographic printing and its origins? Here’s a quick overview.
The word lithography comes from the Greek lithos (“stone”) and graphein (“to write”). Originally, carved stones were used as stencils, but today the process has evolved into what we call offset lithography — a modern technique that delivers unmatched quality and consistency.
Here’s how it works: images and text are etched onto a coated aluminium plate using a laser. That plate is mounted on a printing press made up of multiple rollers. The plate is inked and the image is transferred onto a rubber blanket, which then presses the design onto paper or other surfaces.
The process relies on a simple principle — oil and water don’t mix. The image areas of the plate attract ink, while the non-image areas attract water (the “fountain solution”), keeping them clean and ink-free. This combination produces crisp, vibrant, and reliable results — the foundation of high-quality print.
Advantages of lithographic printing
- Perfect for larger runs – Ideal for medium to high volumes, producing up to 10,000+ sheets per hour. The higher the quantity, the lower the cost per unit.
- Outstanding print quality – High resolutions deliver crisp, detailed, and professional results.
Custom colour precision – Inks can be adjusted and mixed on press, allowing for exact Pantone and spot colour matching to meet brand specifications.
Disadvantages of lithographic printing
- Higher setup requirements – Each job requires careful setup by skilled operators, with some material waste during calibration.
Less suited for personalisation – Since new plates must be created for variable data, litho is not cost-effective for personalised or short-run projects — digital printing is better in those cases.
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