Lithographic desensitization on aluminum metal plates

Abstract

The success of a metal lithograph depends on the three factors that influence the image’s firm stabilisation; firstly, in the drawing; secondly, during the chemical process in identifying the best solutions and procedure; and thirdly, during printing, fundamentally acting on the condition of the ink and all the other variables that help to maintain an optimum transfer under minimum pressure and support wear conditions. Given that a priori this is the most hidden aspect from the artist’s gaze, this article will focus on the physicochemical facet of the process with a view to creating an understanding of it that will allow actions to be taken in the largest possible number of cases. Similarly, although the solution applied here can be used on different aluminium surfaces, emphasis is made on fine-grained aluminium plates (220) that can be purchased already grained on the market and whose use is becoming more and more common in printing workshops and faculties.