An Ounce of Prevention goes a long ways... Many problems are caused by cutting corners and not following established procedures. Correcting these types of problems is almost always more time consuming and frustrating than following the established procedures in the first place.

The following are some of the most common problems that frustrate beginning lithograpers:

1. Image too light - The rolled up image is too light overall or too light in some areas.
2. The Dry-roll - While inking the image, non-image areas suddenly take on dark splotches or goes totally black.
3. Filling in During the Initial Roll-up - while rolling up, areas of the image become too dark.
4. Filling in During Editioning - while printing the edition, areas of the image become too dark.
5. Improper Asphaltum Base - Starting with the first roll, the image rolls up too dark - there is little distinction between image and non-image areas.
6. Water Logged Roller - No matter how much ink is applied to the roller, it does not seem to be laying down enough ink onto the image.
7. Scumming - Tiny unwanted ink specks appear in the non-image areas during printing.
8. Dirty Edges - Ink collects on the edges of the stone
9. Grimey Prints - Prints are contaminated by finger prints, smudges in the margins and on their backs.