The 3 main printing techniques for classic stamps

For classic French stamps, those issued between 1849 and 1876, two printing techniques were used: surface-printed and lithography.

These simplified diagrams below present a summary of these printing techniques. Line-engraved was also added because it was being used, around the same time, to print the first British stamps.

Printing techniques for stamps. Source: Faux et truqués, JF Brun, 1980.

All classic French stamps, from Yvert & Tellier #1 (Scott #1) to Y&T #60 (Sc. #58) were printed by the surface-printed (typography) technique except those called "Bordeaux issues" (Y&T #39, Sc. #38 to Y&T #49, Sc. #48), printed in lithography.

Y&T#1,Sc.#1, Ceres 10 centimes, bister on yellowish, surface-printed.

Y&T#49,Sc.#48, Ceres 80 centimes, rose on pinkish, lithography.

 

Y&T#53,Sc.#53, Ceres 5 centimes, green on pale blue, surface-printed.