Litograafiakivelle

"Litograafiakivelle" is a Finnish term that refers to a lithography stone or lithographic limestone, a type of sedimentary rock historically used in the process of lithography, a printing method developed in the late 18th century. Lithography is based on the principle that oil-based inks are repelled by water, allowing for the transfer of images and text onto paper. The lithographic stone is the key element in this process, serving as the printing surface.

Lithographic stones are typically composed of fine-grained, porous limestone, such as that originating from the Solnhofen region in Germany, which is renowned for its high-quality lithographic limestone. These stones possess a smooth, flat surface that can be etched or drawn upon with greasy materials. The porous nature of the stone allows artists to draw images with greasy media, which then retain ink in the printing process, while the unetched, water-repellent areas remain ink-free.

Traditionally, lithography played a significant role in fine art printing, as well as in commercial and technical printing. Artists like Francisco Goya and Jules Chéret extensively employed lithography for their works. Despite the advent of modern printing technologies, lithographic stones are still appreciated for their ability to produce fine, detailed images with a unique texture and quality.

Today, lithogenic stones are mostly preserved in museums or used for educational purposes. Advances in digital printing have largely replaced traditional lithography in mass production, but the term "litograafiakivelle" remains associated with the historical and artistic significance of the lithographic process and materials.