How to Make a Lithograph From a Photo

Lithograph images mimic the basic representation of their subject while leaving out many of the finer details. Usually lithographs are high contrast, two-tone images, although sometimes one or two more complementing colors are integrated into the image. Andy Warhol famously used repeating lithographic images in his art, and you can make an approximation of a similar lithograph using your home computer.

Open your photo editing software. Load your image into the software; usually this involves selecting the "File" tab in the upper left corner and then choosing "Open."

Find the "Litho" setting under the "Effects" tab or similar tab, depending on your software; if your software doesn't have a "Litho" setting, change your photo to black and white, then play with the contrast or saturation levels until you achieve a highly contrasted, mostly black and white image.

Save the new image. Load the colored paper into your printer.

Right-click on the image file, and select "Print" from the drop-down menu. Click "Next" until you get to the "Printing Options" page, and type 4 into the box asking how many pages to print.

Click "Next" to get to the "Layout Selection" page, then select the "3.5 x 5 in. Prints" option and enter "4" into the box asking how many times to use each picture. Click "Next" to complete the process.

Wait for ink to dry for at least 20 minutes.

Arrange colored papers together in a checkerboard pattern on a large, flat work surface, upside-down and overlapping each other by about 1/4 inch.

Tape papers together across the edges on the back and turn over. Frame your repeating lithograph artwork as you wish.