lithography

American  

[li-thog-ruh-fee] / lɪˈθɒg rə fi /

noun

1. the art or process of producing a picture, writing, or the like, on a flat, specially prepared stone, with some greasy or oily substance, and of taking ink impressions from this as in ordinary printing.

2. a similar process in which a substance other than stone, as aluminum or zinc, is used.

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lithography British  

/ lɪˈθɒɡrəfɪ /

noun

1. a method of printing from a metal or stone surface on which the printing areas are not raised but made ink-receptive while the non-image areas are made ink-repellent

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Other Word Forms

• lithographer
  noun
• lithographic
  adjective
• lithographical
  adjective
• unlithographic
  adjective
• lithographically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of lithography

From the New Latin word lithographia, dating back to 1700–10. See litho-, -graphy

Explanation

Lithography is a printmaking technique that's commonly used when text is being printed. Some artists also use lithography to print images. Unlike other forms of printmaking that involve carving a plate or block that's then coated with ink, in lithography the metal or stone plate is coated with a waxy material. Text or images are carved out of this coating and spread with an oily ink that only adheres to the coated surface. Maps, prints, newspapers, and many other items (often with both images and text) are printed this way. Lithography combines the Greek lithos, "stone," and graphein, "to write."

Example Sentences

Lithography equipment should emerge as another driver for Ichor in the fourth quarter, Shi added.

From MarketWatch • May 9, 2026

Lithography machines use lasers to print miniscule patterns on silicon as part of the manufacturing process of microchips.

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2023

Lithography systems cost hundreds of millions of dollars apiece and use focused beams of light to create the circuitry of computer chips.

From Reuters • Jul. 5, 2022

Richard Hunt: Details’ Lithographs made by the sculptor during a 1965 residency at the Tamarind Lithography Workshop in Los Angeles are on display through July 4.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2022

SENEFELDER, Alois.—A complete Course of Lithography: containing Clear and Explicit Instructions in all the different branches and manners of that art: accompanied by illustrative specimens of drawings.

From A Catalogue of Books in English Later than 1700 (Vol 3 of 3) Forming a portion of the library of Robert Hoe by Various