What is Print Making?

Printmaking is a process that typically allows artists to make multiple original works of art. In most cases, the artist creates an image on a matrix made out of metal, stone, wood, or other materials. The matrix is then inked, and the inky image is transferred to a piece of paper, often with a press, to create an original print.

Intaglio Printing

When making an intaglio (pronounced een/TAHL/yoh) print, the artist creates an image by using a variety of tools and/or acid to carve depressions in a metal plate (typically zinc, copper or brass). The artist inks the incised lines and recessed textures of the plate, and wipes the raised surfaces clean. S/he then places a dampened piece of paper on top of the plate and runs it through an etching press, which uses extreme pressure to force the paper into the inked crevices. The dampness of the paper also helps soak up the ink. Intaglio printing can achieve effects ranging from crisp, clear lines to large areas of deep, velvety blacks.
Engraving, drypoint, aquatint, and etching are the four primary intaglio techniques.

Engraving

This process is characterized by sharp, crisp lines that are created when the artist uses a steel tool, called a burin, to carve into a copper or brass plate. The deeper the cut, the thicker the line. Tonal areas are created by engraving cross-hatched or parallel lines. The image that results is clear and precise.

Drypoint

In this process, the artist scratches a drawing onto a metal plate with a sharp needle. Metal burrs that result from the scratching trap and hold the ink after the plate is wiped clean. This creates a soft, heavy line that is unique to this type of intaglio.

Aquatint

In this process the artist first dusts the metal plate with varying densities of an acid-resistant powder called rosin that adheres to the plate when heated. As the artist places the plate in an acid bath, the acid “bites” around each of the dusted particles – this technique creates various tones from light to dark when the plate is inked and printed.

Etching

In this process, a copper, zinc, or brass plate is covered with an acid-resistant ground made of asphaltum, beeswax, rosin and solvent. After the artist scratches an image into the ground with an etching needle or other sharp object, s/he submerges the plate in an acid bath. The acid “bites” into the areas where the ground has been scratched away creating clearly defined lines. The longer the plate is submerged in the acid, the deeper the lines will become; this results in heavier lines or darker prints. Photographic images can also be transferred and etched into a metal plate.

Collograph

The collograph plate is made up of various objects that are glued onto cardboard and then varnished. The plate is then inked and run through a press like any other intaglio plate.

Mezzotint

This process is known for the rich, velvety blacks that are created when the artist systematically presses a curved, serrated “rocker” back and forth over the surface of a copper plate. The rocking creates thousands of tiny indentations with raised burrs. After the entire surface is roughened, the artist can create highlights by using scrapers or burnishers to smooth out areas of the plate. This produces soft tones in the image ranging from dark gray to white.

Relief Printing

In a relief print, the image is printed from the raised portion of a surface area after the artist carves away areas s/he wants to appear white. It is the oldest form of printmaking, and these prints are often characterized by bold dark and light contrasts.
To make a relief print, the artist uses a sharp tool to gouge out areas from a material such as wood or linoleum. The areas that are removed will appear white in the final print, and the inked raised portions will create the image. The artist uses a roller to apply ink to the raised portions of the surface and places a sheet of paper on top of the inked surface. S/he transfers the image onto the paper by either rubbing the back of the paper (hand-burnishing) or by running the block and paper through a press.
Woodcut, wood engraving, and linocut are the three primary relief techniques.

Woodcut

In this process, the image is carved into wood blocks whose surfaces run parallel to the grain. Because the grain is resistant to cutting, detail is often difficult to achieve. However, with softer woods, the grain pattern itself is often visible and can be incorporated into the composition of the final print.

Wood Engraving

In this process, the grain is not apparent in the print because the image is carved into the end-grain surface of a wood block. This allows for much finer detail than woodcuts can offer.

Linocut

Here, the artist carves into linoleum which is usually backed with wood for reinforcement. Since linoleum does not have a grain, this method can achieve lines that are curvy and moderately detailed.