Colour printing

Daru Graphic Ltd was established in 1971 by Paul Lewis who had a vision of creating company that would become the preferred supplier for lithographic colour printing in the UK. Today this vision is upheld by Paul's Son David Lewis. If you are looking for a fast relaible colour printing service in the UK call Daru Graphic on 01784 43 44 04.

What is colour printing?

In very basic terms colour printing refers to the printing of images and/or text using either specific (spot) colours, a process of four colours (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) or a combination of spot and four colour process. The end result can be perceived as photographic quality for example, glossy magazines featuring photographs of models and products are often printed using a four colour process.

Today there are two main technologies used for colour printing -
lithographic and digital:

Lithographic colour printing

For historical context it is worth explaining that the term 'lithographic' is derived from a printing technique invented in Bohemia in 1796 by Czech born Alois Senefelder who used a piece of limestone to print an image - 'lithos' is the ancient Greek word for stone, hence the term 'lithography'. Advances in technology mean that we now use different mediums for lithographic printing, often printing plates that are created and used to transfer text and images. Whilst the technology has evolved over the years the fundamental techniques invented in 1796 still apply. Printing plates (sometimes metal and sometimes paper) are produced either chemically or directly from computers (Computer To Plate) - the plates are then fixed to a series of rollers/drums on a printing press, the required colour inks mixed and applied to the press and then paper is fed through whilst the rollers rotate and the images are transferred.

Digital colour printing

Most people who own a computer also own a colour printer, many of which are capable of printing photographic quality and use the same four main colour inks used in lithographic four colour process printing - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black (CMYK). The process used to print an image or text from a computer to a connected printer is 'digital' - the computer converts what you see on your screen to hexidecimal code (ie numbers or 'digits' hence the term 'digital') - the printer then receives these digits and converts them back into the image that then prints out. Digital colour printing is used widely throughtout the printing industry especially for low print runs of posters, business stationery, business cards and leaflets.