lithographer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Not exactly. While all lithographers are a type of printer, the term 'printer' is broader. A lithographer specifically uses the lithographic process, which is a planographic (flat-surface) method, as opposed to relief (like letterpress) or intaglio (like etching) printing.

As a fine art and specialty craft, yes, it is practised by artists and in niche fine-press studios. Large-scale commercial lithography (offset lithography) is automated and the operators are often called 'press operators' or 'offset technicians' rather than 'lithographers'.

Traditionally, the key skill was the ability to draw or transfer an image in reverse onto a perfectly smooth stone or metal plate using greasy materials, and then chemically treat the plate to fix the image for printing under pressure.

An etcher uses an intaglio process, scratching an image into a metal plate which holds ink in the grooves. A lithographer uses a planographic process, drawing on a flat surface where the image and non-image areas are separated by chemical affinity, not physical depth.

A person whose job is to produce prints or illustrations using the lithographic printing process, which involves drawing or writing on a flat surface (typically stone or metal) and then printing from it.

Lithographer is usually formal, technical in register.

Lithographer: in British English it is pronounced /lɪˈθɒɡ.rə.fər/, and in American English it is pronounced /lɪˈθɑː.ɡrə.fɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.