Planographic printing is a flat surface technique that relies on the principle that oil and water don't mix. Lithography, the most common form, uses limestone or metal plates to create detailed prints with a wide range of tonal values.
Developed in the late 18th century, planography allows artists to draw directly on the printing surface. The process involves treating the plate with chemicals, keeping it wet during printing, and using greasy ink that adheres only to the drawn areas.
Planography is a printmaking technique where the printing surface remains flat, unlike relief or intaglio printing
Relies on the principle that oil and water do not mix, allowing for the creation of an image on a smooth surface
Most common form of planography is lithography, which uses a flat stone or metal plate as the printing surface
Planographic methods include lithography, zincography, and offset printing
Planography allows for the creation of detailed, high-quality prints with a wide range of tonal values
Developed in the late 18th century by Alois Senefelder, a German actor and playwright
Planographic prints are characterized by their smooth, even surfaces and the absence of plate marks or embossing
Key Techniques in Planographic Printing
Lithography involves drawing or painting on a flat, porous surface (limestone) using a greasy medium (litho crayon or tusche)
The stone is then treated with a mixture of acid and gum arabic, which etches the non-image areas and makes them hydrophilic
During printing, the stone is kept wet, and the greasy ink adheres only to the drawn areas, while the non-image areas repel the ink
Zincography is similar to lithography but uses zinc plates instead of limestone, which are less expensive and more portable
Offset printing is an indirect planographic method where the inked image is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket and then to the paper
Allows for longer print runs and faster production speeds compared to direct lithography
Waterless lithography uses silicone-coated plates and special inks, eliminating the need for dampening the plate during printing
Color lithography involves creating separate plates for each color and printing them in succession to create a multi-color image
Materials and Tools You'll Need
Lithographic limestone or metal plates (aluminum or zinc) with a smooth, polished surface
Litho crayons, pencils, or tusche for drawing on the plate
Gum arabic solution for preparing the non-image areas of the plate
Nitric acid for etching the plate and creating a hydrophilic surface in the non-image areas
Lithographic ink, which is a greasy, oil-based ink specifically formulated for planographic printing
Rollers and brayers for applying ink to the plate and transferring the image to paper
Dampening sponges or cloths for keeping the non-image areas of the plate moist during printing
Printing press designed for lithography, with adjustable pressure and registration systems
Flatbed presses for direct lithography and offset presses for indirect printing
Step-by-Step Process
Prepare the lithographic plate by graining and polishing the surface to create a smooth, even texture
Draw or paint the image on the plate using litho crayons, pencils, or tusche
Apply a mixture of gum arabic and nitric acid to the plate, which etches the non-image areas and makes them hydrophilic
Allow the plate to dry and then apply a thin layer of asphaltum or rosin to protect the drawn areas
Wash out the plate with water and lithographic turpentine to remove any excess grease or debris
Dampen the plate with water and apply lithographic ink using a roller
The ink will adhere to the drawn areas (hydrophobic) and be repelled by the non-image areas (hydrophilic)
Place the inked plate on the printing press, register the paper, and apply pressure to transfer the image
Repeat the dampening and inking process for each print, making adjustments as needed to maintain image quality
Famous Planographic Artists and Works
Honoré Daumier (1808-1879): French lithographer known for his satirical and political prints, such as "Rue Transnonain, le 15 avril 1834"
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901): French artist who created iconic lithographic posters for Parisian cabarets and theaters, including "Moulin Rouge: La Goulue"
M.C. Escher (1898-1972): Dutch graphic artist famous for his mind-bending lithographs exploring mathematical and architectural concepts, such as "Relativity" and "Drawing Hands"
Joan Miró (1893-1983): Spanish surrealist artist who created vibrant, abstract lithographs, like "The Red Sun" and "The Singing Fish"
Käthe Kollwitz (1867-1945): German artist known for her powerful lithographs addressing social and political issues, such as "The Weavers' Revolt" and "Death and the Mother"
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973): Spanish artist who produced a vast body of lithographic work, including the "Bull" series and "The Frugal Repast"
Jasper Johns (b. 1930): American artist who has created numerous lithographs exploring symbols, language, and perception, like "0 through 9" and "Flags"
Pros and Cons of Planographic Methods
Pros:
Allows for the creation of detailed, high-quality prints with a wide range of tonal values
Can produce large editions of prints without significant degradation of the image
Enables the artist to work spontaneously and make changes to the image easily during the drawing stage
Suitable for printing on a variety of paper types and surfaces, including textured and colored papers
Offers a cost-effective way to produce multiple prints, especially with offset lithography for larger print runs
Cons:
Requires specialized equipment and materials, which can be expensive and not readily available
The process can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, particularly when creating multi-color prints
Lithographic stones are heavy, fragile, and difficult to store and transport
The use of acids and solvents in the printing process can pose health and safety risks if not handled properly
The final prints may lack the tactile qualities and three-dimensionality of relief or intaglio prints
Mixing Planography with Other Print Techniques
Lithography can be combined with other printmaking techniques to create unique, mixed-media prints
Chine-collé: A technique where a thin, delicate paper (like rice paper) is bonded to a heavier backing paper during the printing process, allowing for the incorporation of color and texture
Collography: Plates made from collaged materials can be inked and printed in combination with lithographic plates to add depth and tactile elements to the print
Screenprinting: Silkscreen elements can be printed onto a lithographic print to introduce flat, bold areas of color or text
Digital printing: Lithographic prints can be scanned, digitally manipulated, and then reprinted using digital methods or incorporated into a digital collage
Hand-coloring: Artists can add color to lithographic prints using watercolors, colored pencils, or pastels to enhance or alter the original image
Embossing or debossing: Pressure can be applied to a lithographic print to create raised or sunken areas, adding a three-dimensional quality to the image
Tips and Tricks for Better Results
Experiment with different drawing materials (litho crayons, pencils, tusche) to achieve various textures and tonal effects
Use a magnifying glass or loupe to check the quality and consistency of your drawing on the plate
Maintain a clean and organized workspace to avoid contamination of the plate or prints
Keep the plate properly hydrated during the printing process to ensure even ink distribution and prevent scumming
Use registration marks to ensure accurate alignment when printing multi-color or multi-plate images
Test different paper types and weights to find the best substrate for your specific image and desired outcome
Create a color proof or mock-up before printing the final edition to check for any issues with color balance or registration
Store your plates and prints properly in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent damage or deterioration over time
Don't be afraid to experiment and make mistakes – often, the most interesting and unique prints come from unexpected results or "happy accidents"