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Introduction to Printmaking

Intaglio Printing

Intaglio Printing

Intaglio printing is a printmaking technique where an image is incised onto a surface, known as the plate, which is then inked and wiped. The ink is left in the incisions, and the plate is then placed onto paper and run through a press to transfer the image. There are several types of intaglio printing, including engraving, etching, and aquatint.

Engraving

Engraving involves using a sharp tool, known as a burin, to incise lines into the plate. The lines are then filled with ink, and the plate is wiped to remove excess ink. When the plate is run through a press, the ink is transferred from the incised lines onto the paper, creating the printed image.

Etching

Etching involves covering the plate with an acid-resistant material, known as a ground, and then drawing into the ground with a sharp tool, exposing the plate. The plate is then placed in an acid bath, which bites into the exposed areas, creating incised lines. The plate is then inked and wiped like in engraving, and the ink is transferred onto paper.

Aquatint

Aquatint involves sprinkling a fine layer of resin onto the plate, which is then heated to create a pattern of tiny dots. The plate is then immersed in an acid bath, which bites into the areas around the dots, creating a textured image. The plate is then inked and wiped, and the ink is transferred onto paper.

Intaglio printing allows for fine details and a wider range of tonal values than relief printing techniques, such as woodcut or linocut. It is also possible to create multiple prints from a single plate, making it a popular technique for producing editions of prints.

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