Litho printing refers to a traditional print process, where
plates are mounted
on a press having been made either direct from a computer or
the use of photographic film. Paper is then fed into the press
either as single sheets
known as sheet fed, or from a roll known as web fed.
A litho printing plate has non-image areas which attracts
water and repels
ink and the image area repels water and attracts printing
ink to form the
image. During every cycle of the press the inked image of
the plate is first transferred to a rubber surfaced blanket
cylinder and the paper is then
pressed onto this by the impression cylinder. This indirect
method is the
‘offset’ after which the process is named.
Suitable for:
»
Longer runs (costs can be much lower than digital printing)
» Higher running speeds
» Wide range of paper
stocks & finishes
» Spot colours can
be used
» Wide range of finishing
options
