What is Intaglio Printing?

Printmaking is a diverse art form that involves creating artworks by transferring images from one surface to another. There are various types of printmaking, and intaglio printing is one of them. 

Many artists, like Albrecht Durer, William Blake, Francisco Goya, Rembrandt Van Rijn, and M. C. Escher, were drawn to intaglio for its expressive potential and the tactile nature of the process. It allows them to explore detail and depth in their prints with a different aesthetic. 

In this article, we are going to discuss intaglio printing in detail, including its types and process! Continue reading!

What is Intaglio Printing?

The word intaglio is taken from the Italian word intagliare, which means “to carve” or “to incise.” This name is given because intaglio printing refers to a printmaking technique where an image or design is engraved or incised on a surface. 

Read More about : What Is Lenticular Printing?

The incised lines or newly created designs are inked properly, and the excess ink is removed from the printing plate to give it a neat look. Typically, intaglio printing was invented in Germany by the 1430s, and today, this technique is widely used in banknotes and passports. 

What is the Intaglio Printing Process?

To help you understand it better, we have discussed the step-by-step process of creating an intaglio print. Let’s discuss it:

• Firstly, the artist scratches or cuts a design onto a printing plate, which is typically made of copper, but other materials like zinc, plastic, or aluminum can also be used for a printing plate. 
• Next, the artist pours ink over the entire surface of the finished plate, making sure the ink properly gets into the incised or recessed areas. 
• They then remove ink from the design plate, ensuring that the ink is only present on the design and is all set to be printed. 
• The plate is then placed on a printing press, and a dampened paper of any type, like a vellum paper, is spread over it. 
• It’s the passed-through steel rollers that force the paper into contact with the recessed area of the plate to transfer ink from the printing plate to the paper. 
• Once the plate has been run through the press or steel rollers under immense pressure, the paper is carefully removed from the plate to unveil the design or printed image. 
• The artist puts aside the paper for drying, and once it has dried, the print may be further processed or finished. 

What are the Three Main Types of Intaglio Printing?

The three primary types of intaglio printing you must know are:

1. Etching

Etching is a type of intaglio printing in which the artist makes use of acid to watch design onto a metal plate. The process for this is simple – the artist first takes a plate that’s coated with an acid-resistant ground wax and uses an etching needle to make the desired design and expose the metal.

Then, they submerge the plate into the acid, where it attacks the exposed metal, creating grooves. Once the design becomes clear, the plate is removed, inked, and cleaned properly. 

2. Drypoint

In drypoint, the artist uses a sharp, pointy tool to carve the design into a copper plate. The metal isn’t completely displaced; instead, it leaves edges or ridges along the incised lines. These edges also hold the ink, giving a soft and velvety texture to the printed image. 

3. Engraving

Engraving typically involves an artist using sharp tools to cut lines to draw the design directly onto the metal plate. The recessed area is then inked to get the print on paper or any other surface. 

Conclusion

Intaglio printing is an incredible way to get detailed and expressive prints. There are various types of intaglio printing, ranging from etching to engraving and drypoint. Many people ask what is the difference between intaglio and etching. The answer lies in the method of cutting or incising metal plates. Etching involves the usage of acid, while other intaglio techniques rely on direct cutting. 

Want to get some high-quality papers for your printing needs? Paper Papers has you covered! We have an extensive range of durable papers that can easily handle the stress of intaglio printing without any damage. 

Contact us at Paper Papers today to make your printing projects an ultimate success!