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Offset Lithograph Prints

Offset lithograph prints were developed in the 20th century. They are based on the principles of the traditional lithography process, which relies on the repulsion between water and oil. Nearly all modern posters, newspapers, and magazines with images and print are produced by some variation of offset lithography, connecting this modern printing method to the history of printmaking as a way to mass produce images for commercial means.

Offset lithography is largely a commercial, industrial process, making use of advancements in 20th century chemical and plastic technology. Instead of a limestone block, printers use a polymer or aluminum support that contains a photosensitive chemical. A photographic negative is exposed on to plate to create the image.

Large printing presses have sophisticated inking and dampening systems to prepare the plate for printing, as well as mechanical reels that feed the paper against the inked, dampened plate. To remove the excess water and ink, which adheres to the image emulsion, the plate first contacts a rubber blanket that transfers the image to the paper, thus offsetting the two components.


Quick Facts

  • Color is applied to offset lithographs in a four color system. Plates are created in cyan, magenta, yellow and black, and then impressions are made in all four colors, mixing them to produce the desired image
  • Contemporary artists such as Takashi Murakami have experimented with the method as an artistic tool to create signed, limited edition works
  • Artists have also experimented with manipulating offset lithographs after the run is produced to create a single, original custom work

Recommended Items at Auction

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Coco Chanel - OffsetLithograph
Nov 16, 10:00 AM CET
Coco Chanel - OffsetLithograph
by Art Atelier
Est: €200- €300
€701 Bid
Bram Bogart, 1921-2012, Folder. 5 silkscreens
Nov 26, 6:00 PM CET
Bram Bogart, 1921-2012, Folder. 5 silkscreens
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF1,000- CHF1,500
CHF9001 Bid
ED RUSCHA HOPE 1998 OFFSET LITHOGRAPH
Nov 11, 1:00 PM EST
ED RUSCHA HOPE 1998 OFFSET LITHOGRAPH
by Antiques & Modern Auction Gallery
Est: $700- $1,400
$3500 Bids
Franz Eggenschwiler, 1930-2000, Folder. Frauen
Nov 26, 6:00 PM CET
Franz Eggenschwiler, 1930-2000, Folder. Frauen
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF300- CHF500
CHF2600 Bids
Christo, 1935-2020, Wrapped Trees, Project for the Fondation Beyeler and Berower Park, Riehen, Switzerland
Nov 26, 6:00 PM CET
Christo, 1935-2020, Wrapped Trees, Project for the Fondation Beyeler and Berower Park, Riehen, Switzerland
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF300- CHF500
CHF2600 Bids
Georg Herold, 1947, Portfolio. Das Tafelwerk
Nov 26, 6:00 PM CET
Georg Herold, 1947, Portfolio. Das Tafelwerk
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF300- CHF500
CHF2600 Bids
Pablo Picasso, 1881-1973, After. Frédéric Joliot-Curie
Nov 26, 6:00 PM CET
Pablo Picasso, 1881-1973, After. Frédéric Joliot-Curie
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF500- CHF800
CHF4400 Bids
Joseph Beuys, 1921-1986, 2 sheets: Vitex Agnus Cactus
Nov 23, 4:00 PM CET
Joseph Beuys, 1921-1986, 2 sheets: Vitex Agnus Cactus
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF300- CHF500
CHF2600 Bids
Bruce Nauman, 1941, Body Pressure
Nov 23, 4:00 PM CET
Bruce Nauman, 1941, Body Pressure
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF150- CHF200
CHF1300 Bids
Joseph Beuys, 1921-1986, Coniglio
Nov 23, 4:00 PM CET
Joseph Beuys, 1921-1986, Coniglio
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF800- CHF1,200
CHF7000 Bids
Dieter Roth, 1930-1998, 4 exhibition posters: Dieter Roth
Nov 23, 4:00 PM CET
Dieter Roth, 1930-1998, 4 exhibition posters: Dieter Roth
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF400- CHF600
CHF3600 Bids
Meret Oppenheim, 1913-1985, Pflanze vor Gestirn
Nov 26, 6:00 PM CET
Meret Oppenheim, 1913-1985, Pflanze vor Gestirn
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF300- CHF500
CHF2600 Bids
Joseph Beuys, 1921-1986, Levitazione in Italia
Nov 23, 4:00 PM CET
Joseph Beuys, 1921-1986, Levitazione in Italia
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF300- CHF500
CHF2600 Bids
Portfolio, , Portfolio. Recherches et Experimentation
Nov 23, 4:00 PM CET
Portfolio, , Portfolio. Recherches et Experimentation
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF400- CHF600
CHF3600 Bids
"Alphabet for Erte"
Nov 10, 7:00 PM EST
"Alphabet for Erte"
by Art Lovers Anonymous Auctions
Est: $300- $372
$3000 Bids
Joseph Beuys, 1921-1986, Greta Garbo und der Filzlappen
Nov 23, 4:00 PM CET
Joseph Beuys, 1921-1986, Greta Garbo und der Filzlappen
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF2,000- CHF2,500
CHF1,8000 Bids
John Baldessari, 1931-2020, SIX ROOMS
Nov 23, 4:00 PM CET
John Baldessari, 1931-2020, SIX ROOMS
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF1,500- CHF2,000
CHF1,3000 Bids
Mel Ramos, 1935-2018, AC Annie
Nov 26, 6:00 PM CET
Mel Ramos, 1935-2018, AC Annie
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF500- CHF800
CHF4400 Bids
Mario Merz, 1925-2003, Melpomene, from"Le nuove muse"
Nov 26, 6:00 PM CET
Mario Merz, 1925-2003, Melpomene, from"Le nuove muse"
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF200- CHF400
CHF1800 Bids
Helnwein, Gottfried (geb.1948 Wien) - "The Murmur of the Innocents 1" (2010
Nov 30, 10:00 AM CET
Helnwein, Gottfried (geb.1948 Wien) - "The Murmur of the Innocents 1" (2010
by Auktionshaus Blank
Est: €150- €450
€1500 Bids
Newton, Helmut (Berlin 1920 - Los Angeles 2004, nach) - "Sie kommen, naked"
Nov 30, 10:00 AM CET
Newton, Helmut (Berlin 1920 - Los Angeles 2004, nach) - "Sie kommen, naked"
by Auktionshaus Blank
Est: €80- €240
€800 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Offset Lithograph Prints


Germann Auction House Ltd

Germann Auction House Ltd

Auktionshaus  Blank

Auktionshaus Blank

Antiques & Modern Auction Gallery

Antiques & Modern Auction Gallery

Art Atelier

Art Atelier