Litho Print: Step One – India Ink Method

Posted on: September 27th, 2014

India Ink/Sharpie 

You can also make a lithography plate by drawing directly onto it. This can be done in combination with images made using a laser printer, or on a clean plate. You can use permanent marker (i.e. Sharpie or Micro Pens), India ink, ballpoint pen, China Marker and/or a #5 Stones Litho crayon. Ballpoint pen however must be left to set for a minimum of 24 hours. Once your image is drawn, you can help fuse the materials to the plate using the hot plate. Don’t touch the surface of the hot plate while it is on. You WILL get burned. Turn the hot plate on and set it to 150-200 degrees. Leave the plate for 10-15 minutes. Don’t leave it for longer than 15 minutes or set the heat higher, as your plate may burn. Make sure to turn the hot plate OFF. Once the ink is set you’re ready to print! Remember… your print will be a mirror image of your drawing. If you have text, you will need to write it in reverse/backwards.

Categorised under: Lithography