'Litho', short for lithographic printing or lithography, is a method of printing that uses wet ink and fast-moving rollers and relies on the immiscibility of oil and water to transfer images from flexible plastic or metal plates (that are like stencils) as part of the printing process. The use of plates in this way is what leads litho to very often be described as 'offset printing'.

Litho is distingished from digital printing, which is essentially laser printing with toners and drums. Both litho and digital have a place, for example, litho can apply spot colours, metallics and Pantones (a proprietary colour sequence that is more accurate than the CMYK colours used in digital printing, meaning what is actually printed better matches the colours seen with the eye at the digital design stage).

Litho tends to produce a higher quality print all-round, as the ink soaks further into the paper or material, whereas digital printing does not go beneath the surface. Litho is thus capable of producing a glossy finish, whereas digital printing invariably results in a matt finish. Litho also makes printing on various textures much easier.

Litho is often the best choice for printing books, magazines, catalogues and posters. This web site is under construction, but if you are looking for a litho printer in Sydney visit Planet Press or in Melbourne visit PMS Lithography.