What is a litho stone? The printing is from a stone (lithographic limestone) or a metal plate with a smooth surface. Lithography
Lithography
Lithography is a method of printing originally based on the immiscibility of oil and water. The printing is from a stone (lithographic limestone) or a metal plate with a smooth surface. It was invented in 1796 by German author and actor Alois Senefelder as a cheap method of publishing thea…
What is a stone lithograph?
Original stone lithographs can also be referred to as hand-pulled lithographs and are hand-drawn on limestone or marble. To incorporate more than one color, multiple stones must be used.
What is lithographic limestone?
Lithographic limestone is hard limestone that is sufficiently fine-grained, homogeneous and defect free to be used for lithography . Geologists use the term "lithographic texture" to refer to a grain size under 1/250 mm.
What is a lithotripsy for kidney stones?
Lithotripsy is a medical procedure used to treat certain types of kidney stones and stones in other organs, such as your gallbladder or liver. Kidney stones occur when minerals and other substances in your urine crystallize in your kidneys, forming solid masses, or stones.
How does a litho press work?
Once the image is inked, paper is laid over the stone and it is covered with a tympan, a layer of packing that is typically placed between the plate and paper to help equalize the pressure. Next, these materials pass through the scraper bar of the litho press.

Where do litho stones come from?
Lithographic stones are made from limestone, and are actually no longer available from source, so have to be bought second-hand. The stone surface is ground down to a fine grain using different grades of grit, and a bit of elbow grease.
Can you reuse a lithograph stone?
Once a stone has been printed from for the last time, it is necessary to re-grain the stone to remove the greasy image and enable the stone to be re-used. Graining removes the chemically processed top layer from the stone, exposing the fresh, unprocessed stone underneath.
Are litho prints valuable?
A lithograph print is more affordable but still carries a tag of exclusivity, quality and value as there is almost certainly not going to be many copies. It's not something that is mass produced. Potentially, a lithograph print will have a limited quantity, perhaps be numbered and even signed by the artist.
What are lithos made of?
Lithography (from Ancient Greek λίθος, lithos 'stone', and γράφειν, graphein 'to write') is a planographic method of printing originally based on the immiscibility of oil and water. The printing is from a stone (lithographic limestone) or a metal plate with a smooth surface.
What is an original stone lithograph?
An original lithograph is when the artist creates the work of art on a stone plate. The word "lithograph" means, "stone print". Lithography works on the simple physical principal that oil and water do not mix. This technique was first used around 1798. Limestone is the most common surface to work on.
How do you grain a litho stone?
3:207:18Graining of lithography stone - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipProcess we need to determine if the stone surface is truly level place a metal straight edge acrossMoreProcess we need to determine if the stone surface is truly level place a metal straight edge across the face of the stone on top of a strip of thin paper gently pull on the strip of paper.
What is difference between a lithograph and a print?
The difference between a lithograph and a print is that a lithograph is a hand made original copy whereas a print is normally a reproduction that is made via various printing methods.
How do you display a lithograph?
Purchase an acid-free framing mat. ... Place the cut piece of mat over the whole piece. ... Cut two strips of acid-free rice paper (pure kozo) at 1-inch in length and 1/2-inch in width. ... Lay the lithograph on its face (over the whole mat). ... Flip the lithograph over and fit it into the pencil lines on the whole mat.More items...
How do you know if a print is valuable?
When identifying a valuable print, look for a quality of impression and good condition of the paper. Look at the paper and see if there is a watermark or distinguishing marking. The condition of the paper—tears, creases, stains—will also impact value.
What does a lithograph look like?
A common way to tell if a print is a hand lithograph or an offset lithograph is to look at the print under magnification. Marks from a hand lithograph will show a random dot pattern created by the tooth of the surface drawn on. Inks may lay directly on top of others and it will have a very rich look.
How can you tell an original lithograph from a reproduction?
What is the difference between a lithograph and a print?Look for a signature. Hand-pulled lithographs will typically have a signature on the back while offset lithography prints and reproductions will not.Use a magnifying glass to look for rows of dots. ... Check for discoloration. ... Carefully feel the thickness of the ink.
How can you tell the difference between a lithograph and a serigraph?
The main differences between lithographs and serigraphs is that a lithograph is made on a stone plate whereas a serigraph is made using a silkscreen printing process, lithographs are usually more expensive than serigraphs.
What is hand made lithography?
Printing done by offset lithography uses a photograph of the original that is separated into colors, typically four (red, yellow, blue, and black), and transferred onto separate plates for each.
How are lithographs made?
In contrast, handmade lithographs are created by the artist drawing directly on the plate (stone and metal can be used). After the image is chemically secured, the printer inks the stone or metal plate by hand and pulls it through the press for each individual impression in the edition.
What is the process of drawing a lithograph?
To create a lithograph the image is drawn on a smooth, level limestone plate using oil-based lithographic drawing materials that, as solids, come in the form of crayons, pencils, or rubbing sticks and, as liquids, come in the form of tusche and autographic ink.
What is lithographic limestone?
Lithographic limestone is hard limestone that is sufficiently fine-grained, homogeneous and defect free to be used for lithography . Geologists use the term lithographic texture to refer to a grain size under 1/250 mm. The term sublithographic is sometimes used for homogeneous fine-grained limestone with a somewhat coarser texture.
What is the largest lithographic stone?
This stone is from the upper Lias Group, from the early Jurassic. The largest lithographic printing stone ever quarried came from Le Vigan, 230x150cm (90x59 in). Théophile Steinlen used a comparable stone for some of his posters.
What was the name of the town in the United States that was a major source of lithographic stone during World
Lithograph City was an important source of lithographic stone in the United States during World War I, but the quarries closed as metal printing plates replaced stone. In 1918, the Devonian Products Company took over the operation, focusing on the production of crushed rock and renaming the town Devonia.
What is the only commercial source of lithographic stone in the United States at the turn of the 20th century?
This quarry was the only commercial source of lithographic stone in the United States at the turn of the 20th century. Unlike the Solnhofen stone, Kentucky lithographic limestone was slightly dolomitic, and it was judged to be competitive with Solnhofen stone for some purposes, but not for the highest quality work.
Where did limestone come from?
Europe. The original source for lithographic limestone was the Solnhofen Limestone named after the quarries of Solnhofen where it was first found. This is a late Jurassic deposit, part of a deposit of plattenkalk (a very fine-grained limestone that splits into thin plates, usually Micrite) that extends through the Swabian Alb ...
Where is the lithographic stone quarry located?
This quarry was the only commercial source of lithographic stone in the United States at the turn of the 20th century. Unlike the Solnhofen stone, Kentucky lithographic limestone was slightly dolomitic, and it was judged to be competitive with Solnhofen stone for some purposes, but not for the highest quality work. This stone source was sub-Carboniferous ( Mississippian ). In 1917, the Brandenburg quarry was judged the most important source of Lithographic stone in the United States. Prior to 1916, the output of the Brandenburg quarry was small, but in 1916, as World War I cut off access to Solnhofen stone, the quarry produced 20 tons of finished lithographic stone. The Remains of the Brandenburg Lithograph Quarry are located along the Buttermilk Falls Historic Walking Trail (#N#WikiMiniAtlas#N#38°0′3.54″N 86°9′34.74″W#N# / 38.0009833°N 86.1596500°W / 38.0009833; -86.1596500#N#).
Where is Cerin limestone from?
The lithographic limestones of Cerin are from the Kimmeridgian stage of the Upper Jurassic, and as with the Solnhofen deposits, they preserve numerous interesting fossils. Lithographic limestone from the Lower Cretaceous has been quarried near Santa Maria de Meià on the south flank of the Serra del Montsec in Spain.
What is the purpose of a stone?
stone is used to rub over the surface of the stone. in a figure-of-eight motion. 2. Drawing on the stone. There are a range of materials which can be used to draw and paint onto the stone surface, all of which contain grease, which absorbs into the top layer of the stone.
How is a stone processed?
The stone is processed using gum arabic, sometimes with a very small amount of nitric acid added .
Why do you re-grain a stone?
Once a stone has been printed from for the last time, it is necessary to re-grain the stone to remove the greasy image and enable the stone to be re-used . Graining removes the chemically processed top layer from the stone, exposing the fresh, unprocessed stone underneath.
How long should I leave oil patch cleaner on a stone?
Firstly, oil patch cleaner is applied to the stone, left on for no more than half an hour, and then scrubbed thoroughly with a scourer. Three grades of carborundum grit are then used – coarse, medium and fine. Coarse is used first to grain the majority of the image off.
When to take proofs from stone?
When taking the first proofs from the stone, it is important to remember that the image will not print to its full potential until at least the 10th print – this is because the subtleties of the drawing will begin to show up after multiple inkings, so only after the stone has been thoroughly proofed is it possible to get a true idea of how the image will print.
How to clean a stone with gum?
Once the whole stone is covered. with gum, a clean sponge and then a clean rag are used to buff the gum down to a thin, even layer. Heat is then applied to dry the gum. The stone should then be covered and, importantly, left overnight to allow time for the gum to chemically change the stone and.
What is a lithograph?
The word “lithograph” is derived from two ancient Greek words: “lithos” meaning “stones,” and “graphien” meaning “to write.”. The practice is defined as a style of printing that makes use of the immiscibility of grease and water when they come into contact with one another. While other printing methods require etching and other forms of imprints, ...
What is the oldest lithograph?
Original stone lithographs. The original stone lithograph is the oldest and greatest lithography technique. This method is what most people think of when they are referring to a traditional lithograph. Original stone lithographs can also be referred to as hand-pulled lithographs and are hand-drawn on limestone or marble.
What is the difference between hand-pulled and offset lithography?
Hand-pulled lithographs will typically have a signature on the back while offset lithography prints and reproductions will not. Use a magnifying glass to look for rows of dots. Offset lithography will leave a dotted circular pattern in rows.
How is a lithograph made?
To create a lithograph, original works of art are printed and reproduced, most often using flat stones or metal plates. The artist makes the lithograph by drawing an image directly onto the printing element using materials like litho crayons or specialized greasy pencils. When the artist is satisfied with the drawing on the stone, ...
What happens if you print a lithograph by hand?
If the lithograph was created by hand, there will likely be random ink dotting or discoloration on the print. Check for discoloration. Look for signs of chemical oxidation or blemishes in non-image areas, as these can occur when the aluminum printing plates used in offset lithography are not properly maintained.
How does a lithographic ink treatment work?
With this process, the blank areas will attract moisture to the plate and repel the lithographic ink, while the areas that are drawn on will hold the ink. Water is then wiped onto the unpainted areas to help prevent the ink from smearing.
Why is offset lithography so popular?
With offset lithographs, the color often varies from the original piece, but this technique has still become quite popular due to its affordability, quality, and speed of production. These pieces are not handcrafted like fine art lithography is, making them a more affordable option.
When was lithography invented?
Lithography was invented by Alois Senefelder in the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1796. In the early days of lithography, a smooth piece of limestone was used (hence the name "lithography": "lithos" ( λιθος) is the ancient Greek word for stone). After the oil-based image was put on the surface, a solution of gum arabic in water was applied, ...
Why does lithography work?
Lithography stone and mirror image print of a map of Munich. Lithography works because of the mutual repulsion of oil and water. The image is drawn on the surface of the print plate with a fat or oil-based medium (hydrophobic) such as a wax crayon, which may be pigmented to make the drawing visible.
What was the impact of lithography on the 19th century?
During the first years of the 19th century, lithography had only a limited effect on printmaking, mainly because technical difficulties remained to be overcome. Germany was the main center of production in this period. Godefroy Engelmann, who moved his press from Mulhouse to Paris in 1816, largely succeeded in resolving the technical problems, and during the 1820s lithography was adopted by artists such as Delacroix and Géricault. After early experiments such as Specimens of Polyautography (1803), which had experimental works by a number of British artists including Benjamin West, Henry Fuseli, James Barry, Thomas Barker of Bath, Thomas Stothard, Henry Richard Greville, Richard Cooper, Henry Singleton, and William Henry Pyne, London also became a center, and some of Géricault's prints were in fact produced there. Goya in Bordeaux produced his last series of prints by lithography— The Bulls of Bordeaux of 1828. By the mid-century the initial enthusiasm had somewhat diminished in both countries, although the use of lithography was increasingly favored for commercial applications, which included the prints of Daumier, published in newspapers. Rodolphe Bresdin and Jean-François Millet also continued to practice the medium in France, and Adolph Menzel in Germany. In 1862 the publisher Cadart tried to initiate a portfolio of lithographs by various artists, which was not successful but included several prints by Manet. The revival began during the 1870s, especially in France with artists such as Odilon Redon, Henri Fantin-Latour and Degas producing much of their work in this manner. The need for strictly limited editions to maintain the price had now been realized, and the medium became more accepted.
What is high volume lithography?
High-volume lithography is used presently to produce posters, maps, books, newspapers, and packaging—just about any smooth, mass-produced item with print and graphics on it. Most books, indeed all types of high-volume text, are now printed using offset lithography .
What is the difference between a positive and negative image in lithography?
For instance, the positive part of an image is a water-repelling (" hydrophobic ") substance, while the negative image would be water-retaining (" hydrophilic ").
What type of printing plate is used for offset lithography?
For offset lithography, which depends on photographic processes, flexible aluminum, polyester, mylar or paper printing plates are used instead of stone tablets. Modern printing plates have a brushed or roughened texture and are covered with a photosensitive emulsion.
Who discovered lithography?
During the 20th century, a group of artists, including Braque, Calder, Chagall, Dufy, Léger, Matisse, Miró, and Picasso, rediscovered the largely undeveloped artform of lithography thanks to the Mourlot Studios, also known as Atelier Mourlot, a Parisian printshop founded in 1852 by the Mourlot family.
What is the most common form of lithotripsy?
The most common form of lithotripsy is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Extracorporeal means “outside the body.”. In this case, it refers to the source of the shock waves. During ESWL, a special machine called a lithotripter generates the shock waves. The waves travel into your body and break apart the stones.
What is lithotripsy kidney?
What is lithotripsy? Lithotripsy is a medical procedure used to treat certain types of kidney stones and stones in other organs, such as your gallbladder or liver. Kidney stones occur when minerals and other substances in your urine crystallize in your kidneys, forming solid masses, or stones. These may consist of small, sharp-edged crystals ...
How long does it take to get a lithodipsy?
Lithotripsy takes about 45 minutes to an hour to perform. You’ll likely be given some form of anesthesia (local, regional, or general) so you don’t experience any pain. After the procedure, stone debris is removed from your kidneys or ureter, the tube leading from your kidney to your bladder, through urination.
What are the risks of lithotripsy?
Risks of lithotripsy. Like most procedures, some risks are involved in lithotripsy. You may experience internal bleeding and need a blood transfusion. You can develop infection and even kidney damage when a stone fragment blocks the flow of urine out of your kidneys.
What medications are used for lithotripsy?
Certain drugs, such as aspirin (Bufferin), ibuprofen (Advil), and warfarin (Coumadin) or other blood thinners , can interfere with your blood’s ability to clot properly.
Can kidney stones cause pain?
This can lead to kidney damage . People with kidney stones may experience bleeding, severe pain, or urinary tract infections. When stones begin to cause these types of problems, your doctor may suggest lithotripsy.
Can you stop taking Lithotripsy medication?
Your doctor will probably ask you to stop taking these medications well before the procedure. However, don’t stop taking drugs you’ve been prescribed unless your doctor tells you to. Some people have lithotripsy under local anesthesia, which numbs the area to prevent pain.
