Planographic printing means printing from a flat surface, as opposed to a raised surface (as with relief print

Relief print

A relief print is an image created by a printmaking process where protruding surface faces of the matrix are inked; recessed areas are ink free. Printing the image is therefore a relatively simple matter of inking the face of the matrix and bringing it in firm contact with the paper...

ing) or incised surface (as with intaglio

Intaglio (printmaking)

Intaglio is a family of printmaking techniques in which the image is incised into a surface, known as the matrix or plate, and the incised line or area holds the ink. Normally, copper or zinc plates are used as a surface, and the incisions are created by etching, engraving, drypoint, aquatint or...

 printing). Lithography and offset lithography

Offset printing

Offset printing is a commonly used printing technique in which the inked image is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket, then to the printing surface...

are planographic processes that utilize the property that water will not mix with oil. The image is applying a tusche (greasy substance) to a plate or stone. (The term lithography comes from litho, for stone, and -graph to draw.)

External links

• Planographic printing, New York Public Library
• Planographic printing