Solways

Litho – technology of applying ink to paper, litho printing achieves the sharpest definition. First class quality prints can be taken from each plate, making litho printing the preferred method for printing of brochures, books, stationery, leaflets and marketing materials. Consider further the prospect of adding metallic inks, varnishes and special pantone colours to further add impact to your print project.

Watermarking – Solways are able to add a watermark effect image to most papers. Solways can watermark for you 10 A4 sample sheets as a proof for as little as £250.00 + VAT thus enabling you to view the watermark design results prior to the main production run. Traditionally this process has been used at the paper making stage with a minimum order quantity of normally 70,000 A4 sheets, not any more. The watermark material is added to the paper as a screen type process and the image spreads through the sheet creating the grey visible background and a translucent effect when held up to the light. Key-line images work well. Send us your design and let us produce a proof for you.

Embossing – stamping/raising – This process raises the image from the sheet through the combination of a metal die and pressure being applied to the paper from the die. Lowering the image or “Debossing” is the same process but in reverse. A process called “Blind Embossing” is termed when the image is pressed without the use of another print process, creating a stamped image.Embossing is a tactile print process that gives an elegant effect. The most popular applications can be found on brochures, business cards, and invitations. Consider the impact embossing would have on a set of business stationery, such elegance.

Foil – Foil blocking is the process of applying metallic ‘foil’ to a paper surface by using a metal die. The foiling process produces a result that is not possible to achieve using litho printing. Foils are available in a number of colours however Silver (gloss or matt) and Gold (gloss or matt) are most popular as the results are stunning. Coloured soils are available however “clear gloss foil” is proving popular with Graphic Designers as the results combine a glossy effect with a subtle debossed feel.  For those of you interested it is a combination of the heated die and the pressure that releases the foil to the paper.

Die-cutting – Die cutting started life as a process for cutting shapes from leather. The process migrated to paper and board in later years. The process uses a cutting forme that has a wood base with a laser cut shape. Into the shape is placed the knife blade, a cutting forme is created. The most commonly used product is a pocket folder which is die-cut, creased and folded. Other applications are rounded cornered business cards, report cover apertures and bespoke designs to be cut into paper and board.

Thermography – The thermographic process raises the lettering that is printed on the sheet. As the name suggests it is a heat process that literally raises the lettering by baking the ink! Sometimes confused with embossing, thermography looks and feels like the now little used die-stamped print process.

Duplexing – This is a process whereby two sheets are printed using a combination of the specialist print processes available at Solways. These sheets are then duplexed together to give a most tactile and elegant feel that will add gravitas and impact to your printed products. This process is best suited for use with business cards and Invitations.

Letterpress printing – This was a popular process at the turn of the century. Letterpress printing is the relief printing of text and image using a press with a “type-high bed” printing press and movable type, in which a reversed, raised surface is inked and then pressed into a sheet of paper to obtain a image. In addition to the direct impression of inked movable type onto the paper surface.

Digital printing – It is generally used for short print runs because there is less set-up and enables the customisation of printed documents. For short run printing substantial cost savings can be achieved when compared to other print processes. Digital printing differs from other print processes in several ways: Every print can be different, because printing plates are not required, as with traditional methods. There is less wasted chemical and paper, because there is no need to bring the image “up to colour” and check for registration and position. Digital machines use a combination of fuser and toner to create the image. The output results vary between machines and brands – let Solways advise how to get the best results from your digital printing needs.