Lithography, also known as litho printing, is a planographic method of printing that is based on the principle that oil and water do not mix. During the printing process, the image areas are treated so that they will be receptive to oil and repel water, while the non-image areas will be receptive to water and repel oil. The image of the content to be printed is placed on a plate, which is then covered in ink and used for printing on paper, cardboard, and many other materials. Litho printing uses thick paste inks that are highly viscous and made using a pigment and an oil-based vehicle, which allows the ink to be positioned correctly and to dry quickly.
Litho printing is capable of printing onto a wide variety of materials, including metals, foils, and plastics. It can print both sides of a web or sheet simultaneously, known as "perfecting," and can print in color, including full-color prints using the four process color model. Litho printing is best used for high-quality brochures, catalogues, handbooks, prospectuses, magazines, promotional posters, and anything that needs sharp, vibrant printing in high numbers.
Litho printing is a traditional printing method that dates back to 1796. Although it is not as fast as digital printing for small orders, it produces higher-quality results than digital printing, especially for large blocks of solid color or gradients. Litho machines use bespoke printing plates that need to be made before printing can begin, which means there is an upfront cost to litho printing. However, after the setup cost, litho is then cheaper per sheet than digital and faster too.
