Skip to main content
Questions & Answers
Our trusted network of 1stDibs sellers answer common questions

What is the difference between a print and a lithograph?

1 Answer
The difference between a print and a lithograph is that “print” is a general term and “lithograph” is a specific printing method (one of the most commonly used in the 20th and 21st centuries). This means that a lithograph is always a print, but not all prints are lithographs. A print is a work of art made by imprinting a design from a matrix made of one of the following media: stone, wood or metal. The artist creates the design on the matrix which is then inked and transferred onto the support. The support is usually made of paper. With respect to lithography, the process begins by drawing on or painting on a stone surface with an oil-based substance, such as a greasy crayon or tusche (an oily wash). The stone is then covered with water, which is repelled by the oily areas. Oil-based ink is then applied to the wet stone, adhering only to the oily image. The stone is then covered with a sheet of paper and run through a press.

Find lithographs and other types of art prints for sale on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertJune 13, 2024