A lithograph is a limited edition print created by a process based on the premise that oil and water do not mix. An artist draws an image backwards onto treated aluminum, stone, paper, or mylar plate using a grease pencil or paint. After a thin film of water is sponged over the plate, all areas of the plate become wet, except those areas marked with paint. When the plate is inked, the wet surfaces repel the ink while the painted parts attract the ink. The paper passes through the press, comes into contact with the plate and the image is transferred to the paper.