A planographic printing technique first developed as a means for creating inexpensive offset prints. It was subsequently adopted as an artist's printmaking technique mimicing traditional lithography based on the resistance of oil and water. Images can be created on specially made polyester plates by direct drawing with waterproof materials or printing the plate on a laser printer. The imaged plate is then washed with a wetting solution and charged with an oil-based ink. These are then run though a lithographic or etching press in the conventional way.
