Flatbed Printing

Dimensions A0 (118,9×84,1cm)

Lithography is a graphic technique which is a synonym for press printing on the stone. It is the oldest process of straight press, created in late 18th century. This printing process has several steps. At first, an artist draws an image with a waxy chalk. Then, he/she treats the entire stone board surface with a mixture of gumiarabic and acid, so that all surfaces other than drawn image receive a thin film that will resist later color application. In the next step, the entire stone board is washed by a solvent (usually color thinner) and, on final of this process, with water, so that the stone board remains wet. Then, an artist applies desired color (with roller) to the stone board, predominantly to the areas of waxy chalk drawing. The gumiarabic-acid treated surfaces will not accept this color. After this, an artist passes the stone board through the tight press rollers and prints out the image.
If the image has more colors, the entire process needs to be is repeated for each color. In that case, for every pass, an artist draws just parts of the total image (that will have the same color).
This kind of press (Lithography) can produce almost unlimited number of prints. This application was predominantly found and used in the field of illustration and poster art.