“I bought my lithography stones from Conrad Press, and I couldn’t be happier with ’em. They arrived in great shape, printed beautifully, and were exactly what I needed.”
-Susie Mason,
Artist/ Printmaker
Take a closer look.
Conrad Press lithography stones are carefully selected to provide the smooth, dependable surface artists need for traditional stone lithography. Whether you are an individual printmaker purchasing your first stone or a school, university, workshop, or print shop expanding its supplies, our variety of sizes makes it easier to find an option that fits your image area and press capacity.
Conrad New Lithography Stones
Ready to Go.
We offer an outstanding selection of new and used litho stones in a wide range of dimensions, from compact stones for small prints and tabletop presses to large-format stones for floor-model lithography presses and professional studios.
Conrad Press offers both blue and yellow lithography stones, giving artists the ability to select a stone based on their preferred techniques, working style, and printing needs. While both types can produce beautiful stone lithographs, their density and hardness create slightly different working characteristics.
Light Yellow – Yellow Color Stones
Yellow stones are lighter in color and generally softer than blue stones. Their light surface makes greasy crayon, tusche, and other drawing materials easier to see, which can be helpful when developing tonal images and expressive marks.
The softer surface is also easier to grain, but it may require more careful handling during preparation, etching, and long print runs.
Grey – Blue Grey Color Stones
Blue stones are darker, harder, and denser than yellow stones. Their durable surface stands up well to repeated processing, stronger etches, and longer print editions.
They are especially valued for fine lines, engraving, detailed imagery, and work that requires a stable surface through many impressions. Because the stone is darker, however, subtle drawing values may be somewhat more difficult to see while creating the image.
Neither color is automatically the right choice for every printmaker. Blue stones offer exceptional density and durability, while yellow stones provide excellent visibility and a more approachable working surface. Conrad Press can help you find the stone color and size that best fits you lithographic process.
Conrad Press Used Litho Stones for Printmaking
Restore the Old.
Conrad Press offers an extensive selection of used lithography stones and maintains one of the largest available inventories of pre-owned stones in a wide range of sizes, thicknesses, colors, and conditions. This variety gives artists a better chance of finding a stone that fits their press, image area, workspace, and budget.
A used litho stone can be an excellent choice because these stones are naturally durable and can often be resurfaced for a completely new image. Once properly grained, a previously used stone provides a clean working surface while retaining the character and quality that make traditional stone lithography so rewarding.
Why get a used litho stone?
Many artists also appreciate the history behind an older stone. Some have spent decades in schools, professional studios, or print shops, giving them a connection to generations of printmakers. Used stones may also provide access to uncommon dimensions and larger formats that can be difficult to find new.
Choosing a used lithography stone can be a practical and economical way to expand a studio, replace a damaged stone, or add new printing sizes without purchasing only new equipment. With so many stones to choose from, we can help you find an option best suited to their press and creative process.
Conrad Lithography Stone Sizes
Big. Small. Everything in Between.
Small Litho Stones
We have small litho stones in a range of practical sizes, from compact 5 x 6 inch stones up to larger 10 x 16 inch stones. These stones are approximately 2-3 inches thick, providing the weight, stability, and solid working surface needed for traditional stone lithography.
Smaller litho stones are a great choice for tabletop presses, home studios, classrooms, demonstrations, and artists working with compact image sizes. They are easier to move, grain, store, and position on the press than larger stones, while still delivering the authentic drawing and printing experience of traditional limestone.
Whether you are creating small editions, testing new techniques, teaching students, or adding a manageable stone to your studio, Conrad Press offers several small-format options to match your press and creative process.
Large Litho Stones
For artists working at a larger scale, Conrad Press also offers substantial lithography stones in sizes up to 25 by 30 inches and approximately 2-4 inches thick. These large-format stones provide the generous image area and solid mass needed for ambitious prints, oversized compositions, and professional studio work.
Their added thickness helps create a stable, durable printing surface that can withstand repeated graining, drawing, processing, and printing. Large stones are especially well suited for floor-model lithography presses, universities, print shops, and artists who want the freedom to create expansive images without being limited by a smaller format.
Whether you are building a complete lithography studio or searching for a hard-to-find large stone, Conrad Press offers impressive options for serious stone lithography.
Get Conrad Lithographic Stones for Your Studio
There’s never been
a better time to print.
Bring traditional stone lithography into your studio with a beautiful litho stone from Conrad Press.
Explore our large selection of new and used blue and yellow stones in sizes ranging from small to large.
Shop Conrad Litho Stones NowWhat Is a Printmaking Litho Stone?
A printmaking litho stone (short for lithographic stone) is a flat slab of fine-grained limestone used as the primary printing surface for lithography, a printmaking technique based on the principle that oil and water repel each other. Unlike relief or intaglio processes, lithography is a planographic method, meaning the image is created on a completely flat surface rather than carved or etched into it.
Litho stones are prized for their ability to hold detailed drawings and produce prints with a wide tonal range—from delicate shading to deep, rich blacks. For centuries, they have been a cornerstone of traditional printmaking and remain an important tool in fine art studios today.
The Origin and History of Litho Stones
Lithographic stones were first used in the late 18th century by Alois Senefelder, who discovered the chemical process that made lithography possible. The stones used for this process were sourced primarily from quarries in Bavaria, Germany, known for producing limestone with an exceptionally fine and uniform grain.
By the 19th century, litho stones became widely used for printing books, maps, posters, and artwork. Their durability and precision made them ideal for both artistic and commercial applications. Even today, many artists continue to use traditional litho stones for their unique qualities.
What Are Litho Stones Made Of?
Litho stones are made from limestone, a sedimentary rock composed primarily of calcium carbonate. What makes lithographic limestone special is its fine, dense, and uniform grain, which allows it to hold detailed images and respond well to the chemical processes of lithography.
Key characteristics include:
- Smooth Surface: Ideal for drawing and printing
- Porosity: Absorbs water evenly, which is essential for lithography
- Durability: Can be reused multiple times with proper preparation
- Density: Provides consistent ink transfer
Before use, stones are often grained, a process that smooths and textures the surface using abrasive materials like sand and water.
The Purpose of a Litho Stone
The litho stone serves as the image carrier in the lithographic process. Its purpose is to hold both the drawn image and the chemical properties that allow ink to adhere only to specific areas.
The stone enables:
- Image Creation: Artists draw directly onto its surface
- Chemical Interaction: Supports the oil-and-water separation process
- Ink Transfer: Transfers the image to paper under pressure
- Repeatability: Allows multiple prints from the same image
Without the litho stone, traditional lithography would not be possible.
How a Litho Stone Is Used
Using a litho stone involves several precise steps:
1. Preparing the Stone
The surface is grained to create a clean, even working area.
2. Drawing the Image
The artist draws on the stone using greasy materials such as lithographic crayons or ink.
3. Chemical Processing
The stone is treated with a solution (often gum arabic and acid) to fix the image and create hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) areas.
4. Dampening
The stone is kept moist during printing so that non-image areas repel ink.
5. Inking
Oil-based ink is rolled onto the surface, adhering only to the greasy image.
6. Printing
Paper is placed on the stone and run through a press, transferring the image.
This process can be repeated to produce an edition of prints.
Printing Styles and Techniques Using Litho Stones
Litho stones support a wide range of artistic styles and techniques:
Crayon Drawing
Produces textured, grainy lines similar to traditional drawing.
Tusche Wash
A liquid medium that creates painterly washes and tonal effects.
Pen and Ink
Allows for fine, detailed line work.
Multi-Color Lithography
Multiple stones or plates are used to build up layers of color.
These techniques make lithography one of the most versatile printmaking methods.
Differences in Litho Stone Color Variations
The different litho stone colors—light yellow, yellow, grey, and blue-grey—primarily indicate differences in the stone’s composition, density, and grain structure, which all affect how the stone performs in lithography.
Light Yellow Litho Stones
Light yellow stones are typically softer and more porous, making them easier to grain and draw on. They are great for subtle tonal work and crayon textures, but they can wear down faster with repeated printing.
Yellow Litho Stones
Yellow stones are considered a balanced, general-purpose option. They offer a mix of durability and responsiveness, making them suitable for most lithographic techniques, including line work and tonal drawing.
Grey Litho Stones
Grey stones are denser and harder, providing a smoother surface. They are ideal for fine detail, sharp lines, and consistent editions, as they resist wear better than softer stones.
Blue-Grey Litho Stones
Blue-grey stones are the hardest and most durable, with an extremely fine grain. They are preferred for high-detail work and long print runs, but they can be harder to grain and draw on.
Lithographic Stone Color Guide
- Lighter stones = softer, easier to work, less durable
- Darker stones = harder, more durable, better for detail
Light Yellow / Yellow → Softer, easier to work
Grey / Blue-Grey → Harder, more precise and durable
These color differences reflect the stone’s density and grain, which directly impact how it performs in lithography.
The “best” stone depends on your style—soft stones for expressive drawing, hard stones for precision and longevity.
Advantages of Using Litho Stones
Litho stones offer several unique benefits in the printmaking process:
- Exceptional Detail: Captures fine lines and subtle textures
- Wide Tonal Range: Allows smooth transitions between light and dark
- Durability: Can be reused and reworked
- Natural Drawing Surface: Feels similar to drawing on paper
These qualities make litho stones highly valued by artists.
Limitations and Challenges
Despite their advantages, litho stones have some drawbacks as compared with other printing surfaces:
- Weight: Stones can be extremely heavy and difficult to handle
- Fragility: Can crack or chip if mishandled
- Storage Needs: Require significant space
- Complex Process: Lithography involves multiple chemical steps
Because of these challenges, some artists use metal plates as an alternative, though stones are still preferred for traditional work.
Care and Maintenance of Litho Stones
Proper care is essential to maintain your litho stones. Here are some helpful tips to make sure your litho stone keep printing detailed images for years to come.
- Grain After Use: Remove old images and prepare for new work
- Store Safely: Keep stones flat and supported
- Handle Carefully: Avoid dropping or striking edges
- Keep Clean: Prevent contamination that could affect printing
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a litho stone used for?
A lithographic stone is used as the printing surface in lithography, holding the image and enabling ink transfer.
Why is limestone used for lithography?
Limestone’s fine grain and porosity make it ideal for the chemical processes involved.
Can litho stones be reused?
Yes, litho stones can be grained and reused multiple times for years.
Are litho stones still used today?
Yes, many artists and printmakers continue to use litho stones for traditional lithography.
How heavy is a litho stone?
Litho stones can be very heavy, often weighing dozens or even hundreds of pounds depending on size.
