Getting your paper bags printed with a company logo and branding is a great way to market your business and provide an added touch for the customer, but there are a few things you need to take into account before you go ahead with printing. For example, it’s a good idea to weigh up different types of printing. For most paper bag projects, lithographic printing is an ideal option.

If you don’t already know, lithographic printing utilizes an offset process. A press is used to apply ink to a printing plate, then that plate is used to put ink onto a rubber blanket which in turn transfers it to the object being printed – in this case, that would be your bags.

Here are just a few reasons why lithographic might just be the way to go.

Low Cost

Lithography was invented way back in 1798 as a cheaper alternative to old-fashioned copperplate engraving, and it’s still saving people money. Lithography is great for larger projects, such as the printing of hundreds or thousands of bags, because the cost of each unit comes down as the quantity goes up. This makes lithographic one of the most cost-effective methods for commercial printing.

Clarity

The images and text created by lithographic printing are clear, smooth, and sharp. The soft rubber blanket used to apply ink perfectly conforms to almost any paper surface, which isn’t the case with processes that use inflexible metal plates.

Speed

Most people need their branded bags fairly fast, especially if they are required for an event or an opening. Luckily enough, lithographic printing is extremely fast once the printing pads are set up. In fact, some modern lithographic machines can print up to 50,000 sheets per hour.

Versatility

Finally, lithographic presses can be used on materials beyond paper, including cloth, leather, plastic, and wood. That’s advantageous since you’ll want any future printed items to look exactly the same as the printing on your paper bags; for example, you may want to add cotton branded bags to your stock.