Modern lithograph techniques are performed by using flat stones or metal plates. An artist will make the lithograph by drawing an image onto these surfaces with specialized crayons or pencils made from materials like grease. The surface of the plate is then treated with chemicals. Once the image has been inked, paper is laid over the stone or metal, and the image is transferred to the sheet creating a perfect replica.
With traditional lithography, the image that was going to be printed would first be drawn onto the stone plate with a type of grease like oil, fat, or wax. The stone was then treated with a weak acid or gum to make the parts that were not greased attract water. The stone would then be moistened, and an oil-based ink was applied, which would stick to the original drawing. The ink would then be transferred from the stone to a blank paper sheet, producing a printed page.