Are you looking for a lithographic printing company in Los Angeles? Southern California Graphics is an experienced print company that can provide lithographic printing services in multiple forms.

What is Litho Printing?

Lithographic printing, also known as offset printing or offset lithography, is a long-used printing technique. It has a complex, multi-step printing process.

• An image is transferred to a printing plate via either photochemical means, mechanical process, or (in more modern iterations) laser-engraving. 
• The metal plate is then covered with water and oil-based ink. 
• Lithography takes advantage of the inherent immiscibility of oil and water, as the plate is passed over by water and ink rollers. The water will only affect the part of the plate’s surface that is not the image, while the ink will adhere only to the image area. This process can create clean, accurate copies in that ink color.
•  When the ink has been applied, the image will be transferred first to a rubber ‘blanket’ that gets rolled over the surface of the image.
• The rubber blanket then applies the image to the final print surface (which is typically paper, but can be something else).
• The process of transfer from plate to blanket to paper is why this style of printing is sometimes known as offset printing, as there is an offset instead of direct application like what happens with a stamp.
• For jobs that require multiple color prints, applications of various inks will happen in layers, the printed surface undergoing the same process repeatedly. The inks will create the final image coloration when correctly layered.
• Lithographic printing is a more time consuming process to set up, but is efficient in high volume, making it a cost-effective prospect for larger jobs. 
• Today, it is mainly utilized for printing books, commercial materials, newspapers and magazines.
• Lithography can be used to print to non-paper surfaces, including wood, metal, or stone.

Why Use Litho Print Services?

Lithography is at its best when large quantities of high quality print materials are needed. For small runs, digital printing can be a better option, since there is no need to create specific plates. SCG can handle large format printing lithography, a specialized combination that not many print companies are equipped to perform. Our full service team can guide you through the process from conception to design, to printing and even installing your print materials. Every print job is important to us. That’s why our company motto is ‘Service Without Boundaries’. To request a quote or inquire further about our capabilities, get in touch with us through our website.