Masks are recommended
When creating a lithograph, the image is broken down into individual colors each of which is then applied to the paper separately. The process used to apply the layers of color differs greatly from a serigraph. The artist begins by using a greasy crayon or pen to draw his design directly on a stone, aluminum or zinc plate. The stone is then moistened with water, rolled with ink and pressed onto the paper. When the ink is rolled onto the stone it only sticks to the areas where the greasy design was drawn. The ink is then transferred onto paper when it is pressed against the plate. Each color in a lithograph is applied using a separate plate.