Lithographic Printing


Lithographic printing or ‘litho’ uses a traditional printing press which allows for a wide range of paper stocks and finishes. It is ideal for larger quantities.

Setting up a large printing press is an involved process which makes litho printing costly for small quantities. Typically we wouldn’t recommend litho printing as a cost-effective option for fewer than 250 sheets of paper.

Where litho has a clear advantage – even for small quantities – is in the range of paper and card stocks available. For example we usually recommend litho printing where a gloss stock or heavy card is required.

For single colour printing in large quantities, such as leaflets or flyers, litho printing can be extremely cost-effective. It is also widely used to print full colour designs and can be used with Pantone inks.

Litho also allows for special printing effects such as varnishes. A wider range of finishes are also available including gloss and matt lamination which provide a professional look and a more durable product.

When printed on compatible stock a litho printed page is safe to run through a laser printer, making this an ideal solution for letterheads and pre-printed forms.

We recommend litho printing for:

  • Letterheads and business stationery
  • Business cards
  • Invoice pads and NCR sets
  • Leaflets and brochures
  • Folders
  • Promotional and marketing materials

To find out more about litho printing look at this Wikipedia page.