Lithography is a printing process whereby a design is transferred from one surface to another. It can be used to print on paper, cardboard, metal, glass, or plastic. The process can be divided into three basic steps: making the design, transferring the design, and developing the design.
- Making the design: This involves creating a negative image of the design on a photolithographic film.
- Transferring the design: The negative image is then transferred onto a substrate, usually by means of light.
- Developing the design: The substrate is then treated with a developer, which allows the image to become visible.
Lithography is a printing process that uses a light-sensitive chemical reaction to create an image. It was invented in 1796 by Alois Senefelder, a German actor and playwright. Lithography is based on the fact that water and grease do not mix. When exposed to light, areas of the printing plate coated with a light-sensitive chemical (called the “resist”) become hard, while areas not exposed to light remain soft.
The printing process works like this: First, the image to be printed is drawn on a stone or metal plate with a greasy pencil or ink. Then, the plate is covered with a thin film of water. Wherever the water touches the drawing, it dissolves the grease and washes it away. Next, the plate is covered with a sheet of paper or other material that will absorb ink.
Now, the inked plate is passed through a printing press, where it comes into contact with the paper. The pressure of the press forces the paper to conform to the raised areas of the inked plate, leaving an impression of the image on the paper.
Lithography is used to print books, newspapers, magazines, and other publications. It is also used to print posters, labels, and packaging. In recent years, lithography has been used to create fine art prints.
