Offset Lithography is a type of printing used with large-scale runs of single items. It uses a computer to plate to roller transfer to create high-quality, repeatable images at high speed. It's been a particular favourite of print businesses for producing detailed illustrations and sharp, faultless type since the nineteenth century. Lithography is often used to create books, posters and advertisements, comics, magazines, and newspapers to a sharp, high-quality standard.
Labels play a key part in promoting your client’s business as a reputable, professional organisation. As the first thing that customers usually see, even before the product itself, it’s vital to convey their brand in a positive and engaging way - this builds trust and loyalty. To achieve this, print must be eye-catching and appealing but without imposing over-demanding burdens on your finances.
Would the same image, printed by several different printing companies, always produce the same quality output? It’s an interesting question and one that can be addressed by considering the importance of print and packaging standards in the UK and global printing industry. For print businesses, standards help to boost their productivity, resolve workflow problems and offer customers a clearer vision of how their print orders will look when complete. Understanding printing industry standards is beneficial to brands for whom quality and cost are key aspects as they can make informed comparisons between providers before deciding who to place their orders with.
Demands from print buyers are changing. Not only must a label meet strict performance & durability tests. It may need to go through a series of product devices, be highly printable & colourful, tolerate a heat & cold, whilst offering environmental advantages, and be affordable.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly prominent within the media and in the public’s consciousness. Due to the commodities involved in printing, it’s even more important to demonstrate green credentials and a commitment to the environment. With pressure mounting to meet environmental standards and government regulations, positive steps to source your printing materials responsibly are the best way to demonstrate your commitment to sustainability:
There is nothing normal about the current global situation facing us. This is something we have not seen in living memory and that will have a lasting economic impact going forward. I was in Bangladesh, Dhaka in February 2020. The intention was to exhibit and attend the DTG show in this vibrant country. The virus was already in the news with China in partial lockdown and the first cases in Europe just being reported - the impact of the virus was just beginning to show. The show was cancelled, incoming flights from China subject to strict control. I had meetings with a number of well established global manufacturers and suppliers who had full order books but were struggling to find raw materials and higher prices. How the world changed, three weeks later: parts of Europe were in lockdown and the whole world economy is now in turmoil with the focus moving from the issue of supply of raw materials and increased prices, to cancelled orders for the foreseeable future.
