1893

Birth of the Lithograph of Portugal.

85 years separate the birth of Litografia de Portugal, and Portugal, founded in 1893 in Lisbon, and Valentim Santos, established in Vila Nova de Gaia in 1978. Their paths begin to diverge, ending up in the course of their histories, as a result of their fast development and specialization in the packaging industry .

1947

Implementation of the offset technique.

Some of the works produced in Lithography workshops have become more than masterpieces of the graphic arts. They are the reflection of a country and of important events in its history, widely recognized by society, such as the color prints of Lisbon "Eito Séculos de História", edition of the Lisbon City Hall of 1947, launched as a commemorative publication of the 8th Centenary from Lisbon to the Moors. With the authorship of Matos Sequeira, the edition was bound in leather and full of reproductions of old engravings and illustrations of the painter Jaime Martins Barata.

1956

Lithography of Portugal specializes in packaging.

In the 1940s and 1950s lithography began to make packaging using the Flanders sheet technique for the canning industry. This period also allowed for the development of many works for wafers cans and wine labels. In 1956 was made the first jobs for Nestlé, namely for the Nestum product. However, this commercial relationship only strengthened in the 1960s, when it became necessary to change Cerelac's canned packaging into another material and format that took up less space but maintained a reliable resistance and all its properties.

1978

Foundation of Valentim Santos.

Founded in 1978, Valentim Santos Lda. Was a small family business based in Vila Nova de Gaia and where only 10 people worked. By then, the share capital was 2,000,000.00 escudos (nowadays it would correspond to the value of 161,264.00 €) and the main areas of activity were typography and lithography.

1986

Valentim Santos begins exporting.

As part of the change in Valentim Santos' strategic paradigm, the organization took its first steps towards exporting, negotiating with Spain. This year, Valentim and Vítor went to the neighboring country for the first time to negotiate with a potential client. They had some difficulties in conquering this market, working hard on the project for three years, and succeeding, succeeded.

1993

Lithograph of Portugal celebrates its 100th anniversary.

1993 was a year of greater importance for Lithograph of Portugal. Not only was it the year in which it completed 100 Years of History, it coincided with a time period in which the market strategy was reviewed. Although the business did not present bad results, the printing industry had undergone a change in its paradigm; small graphs have emerged, representing greater competition. This market fluctuation brought to the table the conviction that joining forces with a partner would be the best way to consolidate the leadership of the national market.

2002

Creating Graphicsleader Packaging.

Graphicsleader was founded in 2002 with the merger of three leading companies in the packaging sector in Portugal, including Valentim Santos and Litografia de Portugal. The merger has clearly brought more strength and capacity to embrace new opportunities and a more promising future. Graphicsleader has become one of the largest packaging suppliers in the Iberian Peninsula specializing in the development and printing of cards and labels for the food industry (cereal packaging, baby food, yoghurts), beverages (beer packs, wines, capsules coffee) footwear and hygiene.

2009

Investment in equipment and certifications.

Although the arrival of the crisis in 2009 began to seriously affect the national economy, the environment lived within the Graphicsleader was of confidence and intent. This mood was so confident that an investment was made in equipment, certifications and systems. Among these acquisitions was the purchase of a Heidelberg, the most technologically advanced machine on the market to date, which has allowed the establishment of higher metrics for quality and productivity.

2017

Expansion of Graphicsleader installations.

Currently, Graphicsleader aims to be the best graphics company in the Iberian Peninsula in the area of packaging and is the leader in the field in Portugal, with the capacity to compete in many markets. The company is committed to this goal and as proof of the growth that the company continues to feel and to operationalize the facilities of Graphicsleader in Seixezelo have been increased.

2018

To be the best Graphic of the Iberian Peninsula.

It is through customer focus, initiative, productivity and strategic vision that Graphicsleader wants to continue to develop new solutions that create value for the customer, and foster partnership relationships. The current mission of the company is, moreover, "to be the best graphic of the Iberian Peninsula."