The Lithography Primer, 3rd Ed. offers a short, illustrated, non-technical introduction to the lithographic printing process, providing explanations and definitions that can be understood by non-printers — it provides a straightforward reference to the current technology, processes, and terminology associated with lithographic printing. This primer begins with a history and explanation of the lithographic process, launching into discussions of platemaking, presses, digital imaging and the use of computers, papers, inks, and finishes specific to lithography. A glossary of commonly used terms is provided. A valuable training tool.

From the Preface: “...Recent statistics show that more commercial printing is done by lithography than by any other process. The process is used for a wide variety of products including packaging, books, magazines, posters, business forms, and labels. A primary reason for lithography's edge over other processes is that it reproduces the highest-quality, crispest, sharpest images on a wide variety of substrates...Another reason for the success of lithography is the speed at which large volumes of printed work can be produced. For many products, lithography is economical for a wide range of quantitites — from a few hundred to several million...”

Target Audience: Written for the general reader who wishes to better understand the lithographic process.

Table of Contents:

The Printing Processes

History of Lithography

Lithographic Workflow

Composing Layouts

Tone and Color Reproduction

Plate Imaging

Lithographic Press

Papers for Lithography

Inks for Lithography

Finishing

Lithography: The State of the Art

Glossary

Index