Preparative chromatography is the best generic method today for the purification of small drugs and valuable chemical components at <10-kg level. Recent progress in computer technology and the development of new nonchiral/chiral stationary phases, as well as numerous improvements in reliability and economic performance, have considerably increased the interest in modeling in academic and industrial communities. This chapter serves as an introduction to modeling of preparative liquid chromatography where the aim is to improve process purification of valuable chemical components, such as drugs and chiral components. We go through the most important column and adsorption models and methods for determination of the essential thermodynamic adsorption data for both column characterization and process improvement. We also cover important operational modes, such as separation in gradient mode and cases where additives are present, and operational conditions sometimes neglected in the modeling process, such as the impact of injection profiles.