Lader Compact

Lithography is a planographic printing technique based on the natural repulsion of oil and water, originally developed in the late eighteenth century by Alois Senefelder as an affordable method for publishing music scores and illustrations. Unlike relief or intaglio printing, lithography relies on a flat surface rather than carved or etched depth, allowing it to reproduce subtle details, tonal transitions, and continuous line quality with minimal distortion. The process begins by drawing or transferring artwork onto a finely grained limestone block or metal plate—traditionally zinc or aluminum—using a greasy medium such as lithographic crayon, tusche, or oil-based ink. This greasy substance defines the printable areas. The plate is then treated with a mild etching solution of gum arabic and acid, which bonds the greasy marks to the surface while rendering the surrounding areas hydrophilic, or water-attracting. During printing, the plate is repeatedly dampened; water settles only into the non-image regions, forming a barrier that keeps oil-based ink from sticking where it is not wanted. As the roller applies ink, it is accepted by the grease-bound image and rejected by the wet background.