Lithography is a method for printing using a lithographic limestone or a metal plate that is completely smooth. Lithography was invented by German author and actor Alois Senefelder in 1796. Is was a cheap method of publishing theatrical works, lithography can be used to print text or artwork onto paper or other suitable material. Originally an image was etched into a coating of wax or an oily substance applied to a plate of the lithographic stone as the medium to transfer ink to a blank paper sheet. In modern lithography, the image is made of a polymer coating applied to a flexible aluminum plate.
It is a really interesting way to print. It seems really long and difficult to make a print but
today most all mass-produced texts are made using lithography, like books, newspaper, maps, magazines and posters. Lithography is the cheapest way to produce large-scale commerical print runs. The plates are able to be reused over and over.
Lithography was use by Alphonse Mucha, a Czech artist in who inspired the Art Nouveau movement.
