Lithography is a chemical process. It's based on the resistance of grease and water to each other. First, an image is drawn with a greasy substance onto either a block of limestone or a grained zinc plate. This is processed with acid, and solvents to increase the antipathy of the grease and water. Then the image is printed by rolling greasy ink onto the dampened surface of the block or plate. The ink will only be attracted by the greasy, drawn areas.

You can see lithographs in our gallery though Northern Print does not currently have facilities for lithography.