Artistic lithography for commercial use in Malaga

Abstract

First lithographic printing presses in Malaga appeared around 1825. Although at the beginning the means used for publications were rather rudimentary, as images became more important, they were perfected and modernised. From 1880 onwards, the use of rotary presses began to become generalised, and many workshops saw the need to catch up in order to satisfy a public that demanded an ever-increasing quantity of printed advertising material to publicise their products.

In Malaga there was an interesting lithographic production from the 1830s, centred on wallpaper, reproductions of religious and commemorative prints, playing cards and fan decorations. The city exported large quantities of all these products. But it was the growing need for printed paper for companies (advertising posters, labels, office paper, etc.) that really determined the extraordinary development of lithographic and printing activity in our city.