Before starting the printing, the lithographer should prepare a paper pack. This is the collection of papers to be used for bringing up the image, proofing, editioning, and interleafing. The outer dimensions of the editioning paper determines the size of the proofiing and interleafing papers. All of which should be the same size.

• Editioning Paper - The actual fine art prints are printed on the editioning paper. This paper should be archival, as well as appropriate for lithographic printing. There a numerous different papers to be chosen from. The artist should select the paper that best meets aesthetic and physical interests. Factors to be considered should include color, weight, and surface.
  • Common choices are Arches Cover (white or buff) and Rives BFK (white, buff, grey, and tan) but there are many others from which to choose
  • Number: Edition size plus desired number to cover for rejects.
• Rough Proofing Paper - The recommended approach to bringing up an image is to start with minimal inking and to gradually increase the amount of ink until a fully inked impression is acquired. As a result, the first several impressions will be under-inked. Rough proofing paper is used here until the image begins to approach the desired impression.
  • The common choice is smooth newsprint.
  • Number: 10 sheets
• Final Proofing Paper - When the image is brought up with increasing amounts of ink applied, it eventually reaches the point to be editioned. When the image begins to approach its optimum ink level, printing should be switched to a final proofing paper. This paper should be similar in weight, color, and surface to the editioning paper.
  • Final proofing can be done on economy grade printing papers. Many lithographers choose to use extra sheets of the paper to be used for editioning.
  • Number: 3 - 5 sheets
• Interleafing Paper - Interleafing sheets between impressions when stacked prevent the ink from transferring onto each other.
  • Smooth newsprint is used as interleafing at the time of printing.
  • Number: 1 + (Edition size / 2 ) This allows for back to back, interleaf, back to back, interleaf, back to back, interleaf....
• Enclosure Paper - At about 2.5 times as wide as the papers in the package, the enclosure paper is wrapped around the pack to provide a protective enclosure.
  • Brown craft or white butcher paper work well for enclosure paper.