Lithographic printing produces some of the highest-quality outcomes among all commercial printing methods utilising chemical image development. Produce the finish you want with litho printing, which can be used alongside different varnishes and enhancements like foiling or over-laminates.
Lithographic printing, also known as litho printing, is a widely used commercial printing technique. It involves the transfer of an image from a flat plate onto a rubber blanket, which is then pressed onto the printing surface (such as paper or cardboard) to create the final print. The process relies on the principle that oil and water don’t mix. The image areas on the plate attract ink, while the non-image areas repel ink, allowing for high-quality, detailed prints with sharp edges and smooth gradients.
Lithographic printing works best with materials that have a smooth and flat surface. Litho printing is well suited to custom packaging options like folding cartons and shelf-ready packaging. The most commonly used materials for lithographic printing include:
Uncoated paper: Standard uncoated paper, such as bond paper or offset paper, is suitable for lithographic printing. It absorbs ink well and produces sharp and clear prints.
Coated paper: Coated paper has a clay or polymer coating that provides a smooth and glossy surface. It is commonly used for high-quality prints with vibrant colours and sharp details.
Cardstock: Thick and sturdy cardstock is often used for printing items like business cards, postcards, or invitations. The smooth surface of cardstock allows for crisp and vibrant prints.
Synthetic materials: Some synthetic materials, such as polyester or polypropylene, can also be used for lithographic printing. These materials offer durability and resistance to tearing or moisture, making them suitable for applications like labels and stickers.
Lithographic printing is limited when it comes to directly printing onto corrugated cardboard. Instead, a litho-printed sheet needs to be glued to the corrugated board, which is known as litho-laminating. This two-step process, involving printing and then laminating, can lead to higher setup costs. As a result, litho-laminating is often more suitable for longer packaging runs that require high-quality printing and appearance. At Packaging Supplies, we offer litho-laminated packaging for various corrugated flute profiles, including litho-printed cardboard double-wall boxes.Â
Harness the power of lithographic printing to create attention-grabbing, brand-enhancing graphics on your custom packaging. Benefit from the exceptional print quality and fine detail reproduction that lithographic printing offers. With its ability to maintain great colour consistency and accurate reproduction, lithographic printing ensures that your designs shine with remarkable visual impact. Moreover, this printing technique proves to be cost-effective on larger volumes, making it the perfect choice for businesses seeking high-quality results while optimising their budget.
Lithographic printing utilises the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) four-colour process printing technique to achieve a wide range of colours visible to the human eye. By employing small dots of each colour, the imagery is composed. Through variations in dot amount, pattern, size, density, and shape, the viewer perceives a greater diversity and solidity of colour. This printing method is remarkably flexible and accurate, allowing for the inclusion of additional spot colours to meet specific brand requirements.
In lithographic printing, a separate printing plate is created for each colour used. These plates are then placed on individual cylinders within the printing press. Ink is applied to the plate and adheres to the areas containing the image. The ink is subsequently transferred through direct contact onto a rubber cylinder called a blanket. Finally, the chosen substrate or material comes into contact with the blanket, effectively transferring the image.
With over three decades of expertise, we specialise in expertly choosing the ideal materials, such as corrugated or carton board, and pairing them with the most suitable print techniques. For point-of-sale displays, printed sleeves, or any other folding boxboard, we have all you need. Our dedicated team is here to assist you with printing design and packaging structure, ensuring a seamless process from concept to completion. When it comes to custom printed boxes or custom packaging box solutions, we are your trusted partner.Â
Get in touch today by calling 01491 834000 or simply fill out our enquiry form for the perfect packaging solution tailored to your requirements.
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In the late 1970s, two friends and colleagues, Tim Allen and Stewart Middleton saw a gap in the market for a different type of packaging supplier. At the time, other businesses were selling custom made boxes and stocking packaging consumables, but Tim and Stewart wanted to offer more than that. They wanted to give their clients additional services, such as warehouse storage and the ability to have their packaging delivered as and when it was required. Packaging Supplies was established, and the rest is history.
