What is the main principle behind the lithograph printing process?

The main principle behind the lithograph printing process is that it utilizes a flat surface where ink adheres only to specific image areas, while the non-image areas repel the ink. This method relies on the immiscibility of oil and water; the artist draws an image with a greasy medium on a limestone or metal plate. When the plate is treated with a chemical solution, the drawn areas remain ink-receptive, allowing ink to stick to them during the printing process, while the wet areas (non-image areas) remain clean and do not pick up the ink. This foundational concept of differentiating between ink-receptive and non-ink-receptive areas is what makes lithography unique, allowing for detailed and high-quality prints. All other options describe processes that do not accurately represent the lithograph technique, focusing either on incorrect materials or methods not pertinent to the lithographic printing process.