Lithography is based on the antipathy of grease and water.

The image is drawn directly onto a special stone or metal plate with a grease-like substance which can be in the form of either crayon or ink wash. After chemical treatment, the stone or plate is dampened and then inked with a roller. The ink adheres to the greasy surface of the image. Paper and stone or plate are rolled through a press and a print taken. A different stone or plate is drawn for each colour which makes up the finished image.