TR

The term lithography originated from the Antique Greek words “λίθος” Lithos (stone) and “γράφειν” Graphein (to write). It is the printing technique that is based on the demulsibility of oil and water. The print is achieved through drawing on like stone with ink and pressing it onto the appropriate papers. This technique is also considered the starting point of the contemporary offset printing technique where instead of lime stone, matrises (aluminium and zinc plates made through photochemical methods) are used.

The lithography technique was developed by German author and actor Alois Senefelder in 1796 in order to decrease the production cost of theater posters. However this technique kept its secret until the book Vollstandiges Lehrbuch der Standrickerey (the expansive book of stone printing) was published.

The lime stone used in lithography has a porous structure made up of calcium carbonate. The lime stone is formed into a 6-8 cm plate and is leveled until smooth. After drawing or writing on the surface with a special kind of ink, the stone is pressed onto paper. The ink constitutes one of the most important aspects of the print.

The ink is oil-based and is made of a mix of Arab mystic dilution and nitric acid. A change in the color of the ink results in the change of the print’s color. In order to ensure good quality print, the surface is wiped with turpentine and then the mold is put through water. During this process the ink is emitted everywhere except for areas with water because of its oil base. Finally the mold is pressed on paper 13 and the intended design is achieved. In the beginning this technique was done by hand but with the development of technology, it began being produced by machines.

Lithography was first seen in Turkey in 1831. The first lithography studio was established in Istanbul University by the French Henry Cayol during the rule of Sultan Mahmut II. It was used initially for military training books and then for the reproductions of representations of folklorik tales. Antonie Zellich and his son Greguar Zellich also played an important role in the development of Turkish lithography printing. Currently many art schools house lithography studios but it is a specific department only in Eskisehir Anatolia University. Akbank Sanat is a very extensive studio supporting selected artists to produce their own prints. It was first built by Sinan Demirtaş and now (2020) coordinated by Ahmet Sarı. Even though it has the facility for all print techniques, it mainly specializes in lithography print.