Lithographic Method

Lithography lends itself readily to nature printing. Several techniques were developed in the late 1800’s to produce prints of flat subjects such as lace and plants. Lithographs are made using a block of finely porous limestone. In this method greasy ink is applied to a leaf or plant and transferred to the block. Anatomical details can be added by drawing on the block with a wax crayon. Printing ink is taken up only where greasy ink is present on the stone. Before printing ink is applied to the block it is first soaked with water. The areas of the stone that retain water repel the ink and remain white in the final print. To obtain a print a sheet of paper is placed on the inked stone and then the block is run through a press under pressure.

To produce a white image on a colored ground, the object (lace or plant) is first soaked in gum-arabic and while still moist, pressed on the stone block to leave a gummy impression. When the gum is dry ink is rolled over the whole surface and the block printed.