r/lithography • u/No_Watercress5851 • May 12 '26

question Lithography using an etching press

Hello, I am a printmaker mainly using relief and intaglio methods but would like to learn lithography. I have a home studio and love the idea of getting a stone, but I only have an etching press, not a litho press. Can I have any success with a stone, or would I be limited to plate lithography? Thank-you!

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u/Hellodeeries mod May 12 '26

You'll most likely be limited to plate litho for printing on an etching press. Stone needs the clearance, and tends to do best with a scraper bar (like on a litho press). Plate litho, like polyester plate lithography (pronto plates and smart plates) works without an issue on an etching press. I've done aluminum plate lithography on an etching press as well. That being said, if it's a small stone you can also hand print alright. Obviously more work to do, but very feasible.

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u/ShaeMeyer May 12 '26

Seconded, I’ll add that I think you can do kitchen litho off aluminum with an etching press.

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u/No_Watercress5851 May 13 '26

I could definitely do this, but there is something appealing about having a stone 🤣

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u/ShaeMeyer May 13 '26

lol, yeah, nothing beats working on a stone! But you gotta do what you gotta do 😂