Litho printing for packaging samples
Litho printing, short for lithographic printing, is a high-speed offset process. A printing plate transfers the image to a roller, and the roller transfers it to the material.
Litho at sample scale
Litmus is a UK packaging mockup studio in Hull. We print litho samples so a design can be seen in the process it is likely to be produced in.
Litho is used for everything from books and newspapers to packaging and posters. We use computer to plate technology, so your artwork goes straight from the file to press.
Colour you can hold a printer to
We mix brand colours and Pantones, or match to an existing physical colour. Colour matching software and a spectrophotometer, a physical colour analyser, are used to check the result.
We can also build a colour library for a brand so it prints consistently across different materials. That matters when a range runs across card, film and labels, or when a pack is moving to a recycled material.
Litho in the demonstration packs
The Senso Gin labels are transparent pressure sensitive labels printed offset litho with seven finishes. The Revive Tea carton is printed offset litho on uncoated card. The Coco hand cream artwork was printed offset litho onto white vinyl before foil and varnish were added.
Litho is one of four print processes on offer, with digital printing, screen printing and wet proofing. Digital is a relatively cheap and fast way to produce a short run. Tell us how the pack will be printed in production and we will advise.
- Who makes it
- Litmus, a UK packaging mockup studio in Willerby, Hull, with a London office.
- Turnaround
- Most projects are produced within a few working days. Tell us your deadline and we plan around it.
- Price
- An estimate comes with your quotation. A firm price follows once we have your artwork, always before work starts.
- Artwork
- Illustrator (AI) or EPS preferred, high resolution PDF accepted. Images at 300 dpi, fonts outlined.
- Confidentiality
- NDAs and confidentiality agreements are signed as routine.
- Quality and delivery
- In-house quality control, with files pre-flight checked. Samples are wrapped with care and sent anywhere from local delivery to worldwide.
Common questions.
What is litho printing?
An offset printing process where a plate transfers the image to a roller and then onto the material. It is widely used for packaging.
Is litho or digital better for a packaging mockup?
Digital is a relatively cheap and fast way to produce a short run. Litho is worth choosing when the sample needs to show how the job will print in production. Litmus offers both.
Can you match Pantone and brand colours?
Yes. Litmus mixes brand colours and Pantones, matches to physical colour references and can build a colour library for a brand.
Start with your next pack.
Tell us the format, what you need to show and when you need it. The page you enquire from is included with your brief.