What Is a Lithograph? How to Make a Lithograph

A lithograph is a piece of art that involves drawing an image lithographic plate (like a piece of limestone) then treating it with an acidic solution and water and stamping it onto a sheet of paper. This surface repels water and attracts wax. Artists then cover the treated stone with a special type of ink, which creates a printed image they can imprint multiple times when pressing it—using a roller or a tympan—onto multiple sheets of paper.

In 1796, Bavarian playwright Alois Senefelder made the first lithograph accident. He realized he could make copies of his scripts by writing his words on limestone with greasy crayons, then imprinting the words on a piece of paper. The stone retained ink well, so he could create multiple copies of the same page by repeatedly laying sheets of paper over the surface.

Lithography was originally associated with printing maps and music. However, famous artists in the fine art world like Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol later incorporated this technique into their works.

The lithography process has become streamlined over the years in order to incorporate new and time-saving methods. Here are some of the most popular types of lithographs.

1. 1. Original stone lithography: Stone lithography is the traditional lithographic method of pressing ink into a flat stone to form an etching of an original drawing. Printers incorporate separate stones with different colors to make a color lithograph, though they are often just black and white.
2. 2. Lithographic reproduction: A lithographic reproduction is a photograph of an original piece of artwork that the artist transfers onto photosensitive lithographic plates. Poster-making typically relies on this process.
3. 3. Mylar plate lithography: This type of lithographic printing uses a sheet of plastic or polyester to hold the image, which artists transfer onto a photosensitive lithographic printing plate and print.
4. 4. Offset printing: Offset lithography, or offset printing, is a mass-production printing and illustration technique where text and images on metal plates are offset to a rubber blanket (or rollers), and then onto paper for printing.
5. 5. Original plate lithography: The plate lithographic process involves using aluminum plates to etch the images, which is easier and less expensive than stone lithography methods.

A lithograph is a unique printing method that requires certain special materials. Follow these steps to make a lithograph via the traditional stone etching method.

1. 1. Prepare the surface. The surface you draw on should be as level as possible. If you’re using real limestone, sand down the stone until your surface is smooth.
2. 2. Make your drawing. Use a lithography crayon (or another appropriate oil-based drawing tool) to make your image on the surface.
3. 3. Prepare the first etch. Once the image is complete, treat the surface with a specialized chemical etch (gum arabic and nitric acid), which will stick to the drawing to the surface and absorb moisture from the blank areas of the image (as well as repel ink).
4. 4. Wash out the drawing. Let the stone rest for an hour or so, then use turpentine to wash the remaining grease off of the drawing. You should have a faint outline of the original illustration.
5. 5. Apply the oil-based printing ink. Dampen the stone’s surface with water, then apply your oil-based ink to a leather roller. Use the roller to apply the ink to the surface of the stone.
6. 6. Lay out the paper. Cut your paper to the right size to fit over the stone. Use a tympan (a special lithograph pressing board) on top of the paper to press it down with equal pressure across the surface while you print. Run the stone through the lithographic press to transfer the inked image to your paper medium.

A lithograph is a handmade original copy of one piece of artwork, while a print is usually an automated reproduction. However, they are both different printing methods that can reproduce original works of art. Here are some differences between a true lithograph and a print:

• Process: An artist draws their original image on a stone and then transfers that image to a piece of paper by pressing it on top of it. A print involves applying simple ink to a tablet with raised etchings (like a stamp), then transferring it to paper.
• Ink: On a lithograph, the ink will sit slightly raised on the surface of the stone, while the ink on a print will be flat and smooth.
• Signature: Most lithographs have a hand-drawn signature and numbering of the print batch, whereas other printmaking processes will not usually contain one.
• Patterns: Lithographs may have random dots of color or ink on the surface, while the method for offset lithographs will leave circular-patterned rows of dots. You can use a magnifying glass to help get a closer look at the image. Prints will not have these patterns.

Grab the MasterClass Annual Membership and plumb the depths of your creativity with the help of modern artist Jeff Koons, abstract artist Futura, and stage designer Es Devlin. Our exclusive video lessons will teach you to do things like utilize color and scale, explore the beauty in everyday objects, and so much more.