Stone Lithography 

Stone lithography is a planographic printing process in which the image is printed from a completely flat surface (the stone) and works on the principle that water and oil do not mix.

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To create a lithograph, the artist draws on the smooth limestone surface using greasy materials such as lithographic crayons or ink. A special greasy ink mixture called tusche can also be applied to produce areas of reticulation, one of the distinctive visual qualities of lithography.

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When the drawing is complete the image is chemically 'etched' into the surface of the stone and the original drawing is removed. To print the image, the stone is kept damp and the greasy ink is rolled onto the stone, attracted to the greasy 'etched' areas of the image and repelled by the water.

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An impression is made by passing the stone through a special lithographic press.