
1. intaglio printing - a printing process that uses an etched or engraved plate; the plate is smeared with ink and wiped clean, then the ink left in the recesses makes the print gravure
Rotogravure
Rotogravure is a type of intaglio printing process, which involves engraving the image onto an image carrier. In gravure printing, the image is engraved onto a cylinder because, like offset printing and flexography, it uses a rotary printing press. Once a staple of newspaper photo features, the rotograv…
Full Answer
What does intaglio mean in art?
Intaglio (/ ɪnˈtælioʊ / in-TAL-ee-oh; Italian: [inˈtaʎʎo]) is the family of printing and printmaking techniques in which the image is incised into a surface and the incised line or sunken area holds the ink. It is the direct opposite of a relief print where the parts of the matrix that make the image stand above the main surface.
What are the different types of intaglio printing techniques?
Among intaglio techniques are engraving, etching, drypoint, aquatint, and mezzotint ( qq.v. ). Intaglio printing is the opposite of relief printing, in that the printing is done from ink that is below the surface of the plate.
What are the uses of intaglio plate?
Current use. Intaglio plate used in printmaking. At one time intaglio printing was used for all mass-printed materials including banknotes, stock certificates, newspapers, books, maps and magazines, fabrics, wallpapers and sheet music.
What is the difference between relief printing and intaglio?
Intaglio printing is the opposite of relief printing, in that the printing is done from ink that is below the surface of... Virtually all intaglio plates are printed by similar means, using a roller press. This is essentially composed of two bearing rollers with a movable flatbed sandwiched horizontally between them.

What does intaglio mean in printing?
Intaglio describes any printmaking technique in which the image is produced by incising into the printing plate – the incised line or area holds the ink and creates the image.
What does an intaglio process mean exactly?
In an intaglio process, the ink is retained in the incised lines. A cloth ball, cardboard tab, or equivalent material is used to gently spread ink across the whole face of the plate; the same material is used to remove most of the excess ink from the surface.
What is intaglio printing technique?
Intaglio printing is the opposite of relief printing, in that the printing is done from ink that is below the surface of the plate. The design is cut, scratched, or etched into the printing surface or plate, which can be copper, zinc, aluminum, magnesium, plastics, or even coated paper.
What is an example of intaglio printing?
Examples of intaglio printing are etching, drypoint, engraving, photogravure, heliogravure, aquatint, and mezzotint.
What are the 3 main types of intaglio printing?
The three main types of Intaglio printing are etching, engraving, and drypoint. Explain the difference between engraving and etching. Engraving is a process of incising an image onto a hard surface such as wood, stone, or a copper plate.
What is the difference between intaglio and relief printing?
Relief prints are of the raised surface design on the block, the rest of the surface is cut away, only the raised portion is inked. Water-based inks are used. Intaglio prints are a result of ink being retained by the gouges that are below the surface of the plate retaining the ink and transferring the ink to the paper.
What tools are used for intaglio?
Etching and Intaglio ToolsEtching Needles and Drypoints.Roulettes.Mezzotint Rockers.Scrapers & Burnishers.Engraving tools.Other Tools.
How do I print intaglio without pressing?
Use an etching needle to scratch into the plate. Any other tool sharp enough to score a mark without cutting the cardboard will do the trick – try a nail. These scratched lines will hold ink and print as a positive mark.
How do you make intaglio ink?
Step 1: Mix 1 tsp alcohol and 1 tsp. water (1:1). Step 2: Mix pigment with gin/water mixture in a small container to make creamy ink consistency. Step 3: Scoop ink onto palette.
What are the advantages of intaglio printing?
But intaglio printing has some important advantages. For one thing, the plates have an incredibly long life; many millions of impressions can be made before the image quality degrades. For another, intaglio printing can achieve remarkably fine levels of detail.
Who invented intaglio printing?
In the middle ages, goldsmiths engraved metalworks to decorate armor, musical instruments and religious objects. When artist Martin Schongauer exploited copper engraving in the 1430s, a new form of printmaking resulted using the intaglio techniques.
How do I print intaglio at home?
6:358:15Pressless Intaglio Printmaking part 1 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe tar gel on put your plate down and then set your paper on the top before you start painting theMoreThe tar gel on put your plate down and then set your paper on the top before you start painting the other plate. And I'm pressing a little bit with my hand.
What is intaglio quizlet?
What is intaglio? A printmaking technique where the image is incised into the surface.
Which are intaglio printing processes quizlet?
Name 3 types of Intaglio printing processes. Engraving, Etching, Aquatint, and Dry point.
How are intaglios made?
Historically, intaglios were carved from hard stones for use as wax seals. Prominent individuals in the Roman Empire had their own unique intaglios, carved in amethyst, agate, garnet, jasper and cornelian, which served to identify and authenticate the letters they sent.
What is intaglio in printing?
The term intaglio is also used to describe printmaking processes in which the design is cut, scratched, or etched into a printmaking surface of copper, zinc, or aluminum; ink is then rubbed into the incisions or grooves, the surface wiped clean, and the paper is embossed into the incised lines with pressure from a roller press.
Why is the intaglio gray?
— David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 May 2021 The intaglio is now gray in color due to damage caused by an unknown fire.
Intaglio printing
Intaglio printing is one of the oldest printmaking techniques and is similar to many printing methods in which the plate area is carved, and the lines that are the outcome plate carving are probably printed. Intaglio printing is the opposite printing-making technique for relief printing.
How is intaglio printing done?
The procedure of intaglio printing is quite simple; it starts with the cutting of lines on the metallic plate. For this step, there are two methods, and one is that you can utilize cutting tools named a burin or you can use the method of using corrosive actions of acid.
Intaglio printing is an expensive printing technique
It is not wrong to say that intaglio printing is way more expensive than offset printing, as the intaglio presses are ten times costly than the offset presses and when it comes off the special intaglio plates, they are a hundred times more expensive than a normal printing press plate.
Why is intaglio printing used?
Let’s put the light on the fact that intaglio printing is advantageous as well. Even if the plates are expensive, we cannot ignore their lifetime. These plates could be used for a relatively incredibly long life than the other plates. The plates are capable of improvising the design before the quality of the design degrades.
What is intaglio printing?
Intaglio printing is the opposite of relief printing, in that the printing is done from ink that is below the surface of... Virtually all intaglio plates are printed by similar means, using a roller press. This is essentially composed of two bearing rollers with a movable flatbed sandwiched horizontally between them.
How to make intaglio prints?
In the method known as à la poupée (French: “with the doll”), a doll-shaped bundle of fabric is used to apply different colours to different areas of a single plate, which is then printed in the usual way.
How are intaglio plates printed?
Virtually all intaglio plates are printed by similar means, using a roller press. This is essentially composed of two bearing rollers with a movable flatbed sandwiched horizontally between them. A viscous ink is forced into the incisions of the intaglio plate with a roller, and the excess ink is wiped away. The inked plate is laid face up on the bed, a sheet of wet printing paper is laid over it, and a blanket (to ensure even pressure) is draped over them both. Then the upper roller of the press is turned and the bed is drawn through; a pressure of several tons transmitted through the blanket presses the wet paper into the ink-filled crevices of the plate, thus producing the printed image.
Where did the word "intaglio" come from?
Originating in Italy, the word “intaglio,” with a silent “g,” refers to prints made from plates in which the areas that carry the ink are recessed below the surface of the plate. The plates are most often made of copper, but zinc, brass and other materials are also used.
How many processes are used in intaglio?
There are five traditional intaglio processes: engraving, etching, drypoint, aquatint and mezzotint. Each produces prints with a distinct look and feel, and many prints are created through a combination of two or more of these processes.
What is the ink on a print called?
The contours of the plate leave an embossment on the paper called the platemark, and the residual ink on the surface is called plate tone.
What are the four types of printmaking?
For starters, there are four traditional printmaking categories: relief (which includes such processes as woodcut and linocut), planography (lithography), serigraphy (silkscreen) and, finally, intaglio. Below, artist Richard Pantell walks us through the last of these categories, intaglio, and its five principle processes.
What is the oldest process of printing?
Engraving. Engraving was developed in the Middle Ages, making it one of the oldest printmaking processes. The artist creates lines by cutting into the copper plate using a tool called a burin. It requires patience, strength and practice.
How are prints made?
Prints are usually worked through an evolution called states, with the artist printing a sample impression, then working the plate further until it is completed, when the final proof is taken. At that point the plate is ready for editioning — the creation of multiple impressions, which the artist signs and numbers.

Intaglio Printing
How Is Intaglio Printing done?
- The procedure of intaglio printingis quite simple; it starts with the cutting of lines on the metallic plate. For this step, there are two methods, and one is that you can utilize cutting tools named a burin or you can use the method of using corrosive actions of acid. If you use the first method of using cutting tools, then that method will be called engraving, but if you’ll go with the acid one, it …
Intaglio Printing Is An Expensive Printing Technique
- It is not wrong to say that intaglio printingis way more expensive than offset printing, as the intaglio presses are ten times costly than the offset presses and when it comes off the special intaglio plates, they are a hundred times more expensive than a normal printing press plate. No doubt this printing method is costly, but you can get your desired prints and best results with thi…
Why Is Intaglio Printing used?
- Let’s put the light on the fact that intaglio printing is advantageous as well. Even if the plates are expensive, we cannot ignore their lifetime. These plates could be used for a relatively incredibly long life than the other plates. The plates are capable of improvising the design before the quality of the design degrades. Other than that, with intaglio printing, you can get really fine details for y…