Ashford Lithographic Print
Lithography/Lithographic and offset printing involves placing the image to be printed onto an etched plate, which is then covered in ink and used for printing. This method is used to print on many different types and weights of paper and cardboard.
Traditional offset litho printing is generally used for print runs of over 1000 copies depending on the page extent, and whether a more premium quality end product is required.
We have three sheet fed litho presses:
Heidelberg 74
B2 size 4-colour press
This press is generally used for cover printing and can print four colours to one side, plus a varnish.
Hedelberg 102
B1 size 2-colour press
Two colour printing to one side, or if mono print then this press can print on both sides at the same time (perfecting).
KBA 142
Large format (1400 x 1025mm) 4-colour press
Allows four colour printing to one side, or two colours perfecting.
In offset lithographic printing a plate is made for each colour, which transfers the image to be printed for each imposed sheet.
♻️ These aluminium plates are recycled after each use.
We can print monochrome (usually black only), 2-colour (often black plus another colour), and 4-colour processes, as well as using specially mixed inks called Pantones®.
Our range of publications printing facilities means that you can start with an initial lithographic print run for your title, then subsequently top up stocks with shorter run digital or inkjet printed copies later.
Lithography takes longer to set up than a digital printer, but it is quicker to produce high quantities of high quality repeat items.
