Printmaking Terms and Techniques
Monotype – A print pulled in an edition of one from a painted or rolled plate that has no permanent markings on it, usually Plexiglas or metal. Each print is unique and different.
Monoprint – A print pulled from an etching, drypoint or collagraph plate that is inked and printed differently each time. No two prints are the same but there is an image which repeats itself each time.
Intaglio – (pronounced “in-TAHL-ee-oh”) Printing techniques in which paper is pushed into inked depressions in the printmaking plate in order to create the image. The image can be made on the plate with any of the following techniques – etching, drypoint, collagraph, solar plate.
Etching – An Intaglio process in which a metal plate is first covered with an acid-resistant ground, then worked with an etching needle to create an image. The metal exposed by the needle is then “eaten into” by an acid bath. The acid creates depressed lines in the plate that are then inked and printed under heavy pressure.
Drypoint – An Intaglio technique in which a sharp needle scratches the plate, creating a burr that yields a characteristically soft and velvety line in the final print.
Solarplate - A light sensitive polymer plate that when exposed to the sun creates an intaglio plate. The image can be created directly on the plate or on clear films that are then laid over the plate and exposed to the sun. Unlike etching, there are no chemicals involved.
Collagraph – A print made from plate composed of other materials – papers, fabric, gesso – that are glued to a support material such as mat board, masonite or Plexiglas. A collagraph can be inked and printed as an intaglio or relief surface or a combination of both.
Relief – A printmaking technique in which the image is printed from the raised areas of the block. These are usually created by cutting away areas of the block. Wood, linoleum and collagraphs are considered relief prints.
Paper lithograph - An image that is printed from a “Xerox” copy that has been treated with gum arabic and water. As in traditional lithography, the gum arabic repels the ink on the white surfaces and the ink is attracted to the black areas of the image.
Chine collé – A technique for gluing pieces of paper onto a print while you are printing it. Usually thin papers are attached to a heavier printmaking paper with this method.
Carborundum – Silicon Carbide. In grit form, this can be combined with acrylic medium and painted on a surface to create a printmaking surface.
Monotype – A print pulled in an edition of one from a painted or rolled plate that has no permanent markings on it, usually Plexiglas or metal. Each print is unique and different.
Monoprint – A print pulled from an etching, drypoint or collagraph plate that is inked and printed differently each time. No two prints are the same but there is an image which repeats itself each time.
Intaglio – (pronounced “in-TAHL-ee-oh”) Printing techniques in which paper is pushed into inked depressions in the printmaking plate in order to create the image. The image can be made on the plate with any of the following techniques – etching, drypoint, collagraph, solar plate.
Etching – An Intaglio process in which a metal plate is first covered with an acid-resistant ground, then worked with an etching needle to create an image. The metal exposed by the needle is then “eaten into” by an acid bath. The acid creates depressed lines in the plate that are then inked and printed under heavy pressure.
Drypoint – An Intaglio technique in which a sharp needle scratches the plate, creating a burr that yields a characteristically soft and velvety line in the final print.
Solarplate - A light sensitive polymer plate that when exposed to the sun creates an intaglio plate. The image can be created directly on the plate or on clear films that are then laid over the plate and exposed to the sun. Unlike etching, there are no chemicals involved.
Collagraph – A print made from plate composed of other materials – papers, fabric, gesso – that are glued to a support material such as mat board, masonite or Plexiglas. A collagraph can be inked and printed as an intaglio or relief surface or a combination of both.
Relief – A printmaking technique in which the image is printed from the raised areas of the block. These are usually created by cutting away areas of the block. Wood, linoleum and collagraphs are considered relief prints.
Paper lithograph - An image that is printed from a “Xerox” copy that has been treated with gum arabic and water. As in traditional lithography, the gum arabic repels the ink on the white surfaces and the ink is attracted to the black areas of the image.
Chine collé – A technique for gluing pieces of paper onto a print while you are printing it. Usually thin papers are attached to a heavier printmaking paper with this method.
Carborundum – Silicon Carbide. In grit form, this can be combined with acrylic medium and painted on a surface to create a printmaking surface.