Lithography and Chromolithography

ALOIS SENEFELDER (1771-1834)

Alois Senefelder invented lithography in Germany in 1798. Lithography is based on the chemical repellence of oil and water. Designs are drawn or painted with greasy ink or pencil on specially prepared limestone. The stone is moistened with water, which the stone accepts in areas not covered by the ink. Oily ink then applied with a roller, adheres only to the drawing and is repelled by the wet parts of the stone. The print is then made by pressing paper against the inked stone. It was the first substantial advance since relieve printing (woodcuts). Almost immediately, attempts were made to print in color. One stone was used for each color; the problem for the printers was keeping the image in register, making sure that the print would be lined up exactly each time it went through the press. Early chromolithography subjects were simple, but, by the second half of the 19th century, dozens of colors, overprinting and gold and silver inks were used.
(Text courtesy of Illuminated Manuscripts at alfredom.com)