Also known as planographic printing, Lithography is one of the most widely used and efficient printing methods used today. Originally the process involved flat stones etched with images, but modern methods are far more sophisticated and suitable for mass printing. Nowadays a paper-thin metallic drum is used and the drawing is made onto this using wax or grease. Water is then applied, ensuring that the ink only adheres to the waxed area. This method is still very simple, cheap and efficient and therefore still popular.

The reel, or drum, method of lithograph printing has been further enhanced by applying an 'off-set', known as photolithography. In this method a rubber-covered cylinder is placed between the printing cylinder and the impression cylinder, thus creating an offset. The advantage of this is to retain and enhance quality where detailed colour refinement is involved. For many printing tasks, off-set has become the standard method of use.

Photolithography has been a major development for printing. Using a photosensitive polymer, a mask is laid over the surface and exposed to light, improving the resistant or susceptible to an acid wash, prior to the inking stage. It therefore allows for the successful creation of micro-scale printing and the fabrication of integrated circuits.

Sometimes a gelatin-faced plate is used to aid tonal distribution using engraved screen dots, this variation is known as collotype printing and we recommend this process for fine illustrations or of scientific subject matter requiring accuracy of detail.

A great deal of our client's printing requirements are done using lithographic printing and we have plenty of experience and knowledge from working with lithographic and off-set printing. We work with some of the industry's biggest and most efficient litho printers, ensuring the quality and delivery meets the professional standards we demand.

Contact SR Print Management for further advice and a fast, online litho printing quote.