photolithography
(ˌfəʊtəʊlɪˈθɒgrəfɪ)
[f. photo- 2 + lithography.]
The art or process of producing, by photography, designs upon lithographic stone (or a similar substance), from which prints may be taken as in ordinary lithography; esp. a planographic printing process using plates prepared from photographic negatives, usually printed by offset methods.
| 1856 W. A. Miller Elem. Chem. II. Index, Photolithography. 1858 Proc. Amer. Phil. Soc. VI. 328 Specimens of photo-lithography executed by Mr. Rehn of Philadelphia. 1875 tr. Vogel's Chem. Light xv. 251 Photography..entered into competition with lithography. It was Poitevin who allied the two by inventing photo-lithography. 1929 Times 29 Oct. (Printing Suppl.) p. xii/7 The process of photo-lithography through the growing importance of the offset process directed fresh attention to the subject [of composing textual matter without the use of type]. 1948 Science News VII. 100 Photographic prints on metal are the basis of another major industry—photo-lithography—and here again war-time researches have made possible considerable simplifications in the working procedures. 1966 Listener 22 Sept. 422/3 The two [books]..have now reappeared, beautifully reproduced by modern photo-lithography. 1972 Guardian 25 Nov. 14/3 Photo⁓lithography is ousting other methods [of making prints] in the commercial market. |