Concept in Definition ABC

Lithography is a technique of impression which consists of thereproduction through printing it Recorded or previously drawn on a limestone. So, putting it in more graphic terms, lithography is the stamping that results from a stone matrix.

Meanwhile, its main characteristic is that it is based on the principle of the natural rejection that occurs between water and fat when they come into contact, that is, that is the tool The most outstanding feature that this technique implements is the diverse adherence achieved by substances related to water and those that are not. As the water rejects the greasy ink, it will not be printed.

Meanwhile, once the He drew and when the plate is inked, it is worth mentioning that the ink will only ignite in the parts that correspond to the drawing and that were worked with grease and in the rest the ink will come off. It is a sine quanom condition that the stone be porous to absorb water and granularly fine to retain fat. Calcareous stone turns out to be the most suitable stone to carry out this procedure.

The main difference that can be attributed to this printing technique with respect to others such as the woodcut and intaglio is that lithography does not use a tool or a corrosive element to affect the surface, and as a result of This should not be considered as a formal engraving system but it would be more appropriate to speak of a stamping system.

This procedure was created towards the end of the 18th century, more precisely in the year 1796, by the German inventor and musician Johann Aloys Senefelder. The story goes that one morning Senefelder only had a polished stone and a grease pencil at hand and then there he was encouraged to to write the list of the clothes that he had to take to wash. That was the kickoff of the lithography. To that almost primary need was added a need professional to advertise their works of art at low cost theater and the scores that he used, and for example, the method used for the list stood as an excellent alternative in that sense.

Also to each of the reproductions that are achieved through the technique previously explained they are called lithography.