Month: May 2018

The Different Between Digital and Litho Printing

We’re often asked about the difference between litho printing and digital printing. They’re by far the two most common forms of print used in marketing and each uses completely different methods to produce your finished, printed job. Litho printing has been around for much longer, dating back to 1796 in some forms. Digital printing became popular towards the end of the 20th century and in recent years huge leaps in technology have seen digital print widely used for everything from flyers, stickers and leaflets to brochures or books. So what’s the difference and why choose one over the other?

Print quality

Traditionally, litho printing was said to be better for printing large blocks of solid colour. However, with the advancements in modern digital printing technology it’s often hard to tell the difference between jobs printed digitally and those printed using litho.

Litho and digital printing each use different finishing techniques. In litho printing the ink soaks into the paper whereas digital presses print on the surface of the paper. This means the same colour might appear slightly different when printed litho as the ink takes on some of the appearance of the paper used.

Turnaround time

Turnaround is generally faster with digital printing because there’s no set up or drying time. When printing very large quantities on a litho press the process runs more quickly than with digital. However, there will still be time required for drying and the entire litho process from set up to completion can take several days compared to digital print which can take as little as one working day.

Cost

Litho print uses plates that are used to apply cyan, magenta, yellow and black to a rubber roller which in turn applies the ink to the paper. This means there is time and cost involved in the setting up of your job before print.

Digital print works like an exceptionally high quality laser printer or photocopier in that there is no set up required. The job is simply loaded and the cost only begins when the operator presses “print”. The customer is charged based on the amount of copies and ink used.

When you go digital – choose Northside Graphics

Launched 30 years ago, Northside Graphics is Northern Ireland’s oldest and largest digital printing company. We use only market leading HP Indigo presses that produce exceptional colour and image reproduction every time. We’re based right here in Belfast and our team are dedicated to delivering professional quality print when and where you need it. Visit our website to see the range of products we supply or contact us for a quote on 028 9022 2111 today.

At Northside we are very proud to supply much of the marketing and print used in the launch of the Titanic Hotel Belfast

How did we do? – Titanic Hotel Belfast
Situated in the original Harland & Wolff Headquarters building, Titanic Hotel Belfast was launched in 2017. The listed building has been carefully restored to preserve features such as the three-storey high ceilings – the oldest surviving example in the world of this style of architecture. The drawing offices where Titanic, Britannic and Olympic luxury liners were born are now part of the hotel whose name and décor is inspired by it’s most famous ship. With Belfast cementing its place as one of Europe’s leading tourist destinations, Titanic Hotel Belfast’s opening last year was no small event.

At Northside we are very proud to supply much of the marketing and print used in the launch and the day-to-day operation of this fantastic hotel and visitor attraction.

Northside Graphics and Titanic Hotel Belfast
We asked Yvonne McIlree, Sales & Marketing Director of Titanic Hotel Belfast, why she chose Northside Graphics. Yvonne told us, “We have worked with Northside Graphics since the day that we opened the hotel. They design and print all of our materials and their quality is fantastic, backed up with great prices and quick turnarounds – something that is essential in our industry.”

What We Supplied

Northside Graphics began working with the Titanic at the beginning of last summer. The launch of such a prestigious hotel was a massive project and we had to ensure that all the printed materials were ready for the Grand Opening on 10th September. Since then we’re delighted to be their chosen print partner, supplying all the print needed in the running of the hotel, including:

Menus and drinks lists
Branded stationery – letterheads, compliment slips
Roller banners
Business cards, comment cards, registration cards
Guest Directories
Door hangers
Corporate brochures
Vouchers

Write a Google+ review and win with Northside Graphics

Write a review of us on Google+ you’ll be in with a chance to win a £50 voucher you can use against any of our products. And when you work with Northside Graphics you can be sure that you’ll receive exceptional print quality and service at excellent prices. We understand the importance of your deadlines and that’s why we offer a range of delivery options so that you get your print when and where you need it.

You’ll find our full, extensive product range on our website. Simply call us on 028 9022 2111 to get a quote for your print and start working with Northern Ireland’s oldest and largest digital printer today.