Lithography works off the basis that...

Lithography operates on the principle that grease and water do not mix, which is central to the printing process. In lithography, a flat stone or metal plate is treated to make certain areas receptive to ink (grease) while other areas are treated to repel it with water. The artist draws an image using a greasy medium on the surface of the stone or plate, and when the plate is moistened with water, the areas not covered by the greasy drawing will attract the water, thus preventing ink from adhering to those regions. As a result, when the plate is inked, the ink sticks only to the greasy areas, allowing for a clear impression to be printed on paper.

Understanding this principle is key to successful lithographic printing, as it directly influences how the image is developed on the printing plate and ultimately transferred onto the printing medium. The other options do not accurately represent the foundational aspects of lithographic printing, thus making them less relevant to defining how lithography functions.