Definitions for "Lithographs"
Keywords:  rinsed, pencil, posters, grease, museum
The majority of prints are lithographs. They are printed from a flat surface, and therefore lack texture. A limited edition lithograph is printed with museum-quality inks and paper, whereas open edition prints and posters may not be. Offset lithography is the process of taking an original piece of art and separating the colors using a scanner or digital camera which feeds the image directly into a computer. Combining this information with the photo offset printing process, the press recreates all the colors in the original artwork. Additional tints or touch plates may be added to produce a print that is an exact match to the original painting.
A grease-based pencil is used to create a design on specially prepared stone or glass plate. The plate is then rinsed with water. Ink is applied to the plate and rolls off any wet areas, sticking only to the grease. Paper is then applied to the plate and both are run through a press, creating a print on the paper. For a color lithograph, separate drawings are made for each color and run through the press separately.