What is Lithographic Printing?

Lithographic Printing is an offset printing technique. The ink in four separate colours C (Cyan), M (Magenta), Y (Yellow) and K (Black) is not applied to the paper directly from the printing plate. Ink is applied on to the printing plate to form the image (i.e. text and pictures) it is then offset onto a blanket cylinder. The image on the blanket is then transferred onto the paper.
The presses can print in the four colours (CMYK) as well as being able to print an additional spot colour and overlay a varnish in the same print run. High-quality printed materials, such as marketing brochures, often include photographs requiring four colour printing, spot colors such as metallic inks, and varnish finishing, which enhances the glossiness of the printed materials.

Where Would You Use Lithographic Printing?

This form of printing is more cost effective for larger volume runs.  You would also need to use this type of printing technique if the size of the document was bigger than A3, or that you required a specific finish or colour.

Supplying Artwork for Lithographic Printing