Litho Printing, Birmingham
Here at Charisma, we are pleased to offer high-quality litho printing services.
Please contact our sales team for a quote today or simply order the items below.
WHAT IS COMMERCIAL LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING?
Commercial litho printing is a high-volume printing method. It is a precise and versatile process which can be used to produce prints that have fine detail and vibrant colours. A flat metal plate is used to transfer ink onto paper, producing large quantities of high-quality prints.The Commercial Lithographic Printing Process
A metal plate is coated with a photosensitive emulsion to create a raised image on the plate when developed.
The plate is dampened with water which adheres to the non-image areas. The ink-receptive image areas repel water.
Ink is applied to the plate, adhering only to the image areas due to the oil-based nature of the ink.
The inked image on the plate is transferred to a rubber blanket. The last stage sees the image transferred from the blanket to the printing substrate, usually paper. After drying, the printed material can be cut, folded or bound, depending on the final product.
This method is suited to high-volume printing for consistent and quality results.
The Benefits of Using our Litho Printing Services
Looking for litho printing companies in Birmingham? There are various advantages to our lithographic services:
- Charisma has invested heavily in the latest commercial printing and finishing technology
- We provide our customers with the best in colour accuracy and high-quality printing services
- Printing on the latest presses ensures your job is delivered quickly and efficiently
- Using the latest computer-to-plate technology, high-quality single, multiple spot colour and process colour work is achieved by our highly skilled operatives
What Can You Use Lithographic Printing Services For?
Commercial litho printing is commonly used for catalogues, magazines, brochures, leaflets, posters and packaging.
FAQ'S
In the context of printing, "litho" is a short form of lithography, which is a printing process that involves using a flat surface to transfer an image onto paper or another material. The term "litho" is commonly used as an abbreviation for lithography in the printing industry. Lithography is known for its ability to produce high-quality, fine-detail prints, making it suitable for a variety of applications, including art prints, posters, packaging, and more. Modern lithographic printing often utilizes metal plates with a photosensitive emulsion.
Litho (or offset) printing and digital printing are two different printing methods, each with its own set of characteristics and advantages. Here are some key differences between the two.
Litho Printing: This is an indirect printing process that involves transferring ink from a printing plate to a rubber blanket and then onto the printing surface (usually paper). It's called "offset" because the ink is not directly applied to the paper but offset onto an intermediary surface first.
Digital Printing: This is a direct printing process where digital files are sent directly to the printing press. There are no intermediate steps like plates or blankets; the image is transferred directly onto the printing substrate.
Setup costs for litho printing can be relatively high because it involves creating printing plates and setting up the press for each job. However, the per-unit cost decreases with larger print runs. It is often more economical for large print runs because the setup costs are spread across a greater number of copies.
The choice between RGB and CMYK depends on the final output of your project. Here's a brief explanation of each color mode:
RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
Used for digital displays such as monitors, cameras, and screens.
Represents colours by combining varying intensities of red, green, and blue light.
Common in web design, social media, and digital artwork.
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black):
Used for print materials, such as brochures, posters, and magazines.
Represents colours by combining percentages of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks.
Suitable for full-colour printing processes.
When preparing files for print, it's generally recommended to use the CMYK colour mode. Printers use the CMYK colour model to reproduce a wide range of colours using the four ink colours mentioned. If you submit an RGB file for printing, there may be a noticeable difference between the colours on your screen and the printed output.
Before sending files to a printer, it's also a good practice to convert your images and graphics to CMYK to ensure accurate colour reproduction. Most graphic design software, such as Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, allows you to easily convert your files from RGB to CMYK.
Keep in mind that if your design includes specific colours that are outside the CMYK colour gamut, there might be some colour shifts when converting to CMYK. It's a good idea to check the colour accuracy and make adjustments as needed before finalizing your print files.
Before sending files to a printer, it's also a good practice to convert your images and graphics to CMYK to ensure accurate colour reproduction. Most graphic design software, such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop or Illustrator, allows you to easily convert your files from RGB to CMYK.
