A print is an original graphic work that is created by carving or drawing an image onto a solid surface, called a matrix, that is intended to stand alone as a work of art. There are four main types of printmaking: relief, intaglio, planographic, and stencil. Learn about each one and which one you prefer. Listed below are the differences between these types of art.
Relief, intaglio, planographic and stencil printmaking
Printmaking methods are divided into four basic categories: relief, intaglio, planographic, and stencil. The latter two are often combined. Relief prints, for example, are created by removing material from the image area surrounding the print. Relief prints may be woodcuts, linocuts, or metal cuts. Students create their prints using these methods and then apply the ink to the raised areas and press them onto the paper.
Relief printmaking is the simplest form of printing. Intaglio prints are created by carving into the surface of the plate. Intaglio printing, on the other hand, depresses or carves areas below the image. Prints made this way are often highly detailed, such as in the case of engravings. Planographic printmaking involves printing an image onto a flat surface.
Printmaking in this style utilizes the surface of a printing block to create a design. If the printmaking process is perfect, the lines and surfaces of the design will be equally dark. To make a relief print, the design should be raised to a quarter-inch or less. Otherwise, it can tear the paper. Relief prints are the oldest type of printmaking, dating back to the Renaissance.
The process of intaglio printing involves a number of different techniques. The basic method is dry point, in which the artist uses a sharp needle to carve the image. The ink is then wiped away from the metal plate, leaving soft lines. Generally, these printmaking techniques are not limited to landscapes or portraits, but can be used for abstract works.
The most common technique in relief printing involves the use of a metal plate. It involves incising channels into the surface of the plate, covering it with ink, and pressing a dampened piece of paper into the grooves. Intaglio prints produce images that are raised from the uninked paper underneath. This process is very effective, as the finished image is able to reflect the surface of the paper.
Etching is another form of intaglio printmaking. Intaglio prints use an acid-resistant ground. The image is scratched through the hard ground with a sharp needle and immersed in an acid bath. The length of time the plate is etched affects the mark. Etching is one of the most versatile intaglio techniques, but it is often used in conjunction with engraving.
Etching
One of the main forms of printmaking is etching. This process begins with the creation of a protective wax-based coating on the metal plate. An artist then scratches the image into the metal using a burin, which exposes the underlying metal underneath. The plate is then dipped in acid, causing the exposed metal to be dissolved. The exposed metal is then imprinted with ink, which slides into the etched channels. The type of tones produced by the etching process depends on how long the plate is submerged in acid.
Some of the most famous artists to work with etchings include Rembrandt and Parmigianino, both of whom were masters of the craft. Likewise, artists like John Piper and Pablo Picasso have also worked with this medium. However, many people do not know that this method is not the same as etching. The process can be revived by using spray paint. Besides etchings, a print is created by creating a plate in different layers.
A variety of materials and techniques are used in etching, including silver, copper, and gold. Copper and zinc are both popular materials for etching. The technique was first used by Daniel Hopfer to decorate armor. Later, he applied it to printmaking and made etching the most popular method of printmaking. Unlike woodcuts, etchings require little or no metalworking knowledge and can be done by anyone who has good drawing skills.
Other methods of etching include aquatint, a process that uses powdered resin to stop acid from eating away at the surface. The result is a tonal effect, as shown in picture 1 below. The two main types of printmaking are lithography and etching. And it is interesting to note that lithography was one of the first planographic methods. So, which method is better?
Intaglio printing involves putting lines on the surface of a metal plate. These lines are then inked. The plate is then wiped clean. The next step in the process involves placing a soft piece of damp paper over the plate. The paper is then pressed through an etching press, forcing it into the etched areas. Afterwards, the paper is left with the plate mark.
Lithography
There are two primary types of lithography. A high-volume lithograph uses a specialized printing process to produce large-format prints, such as maps and posters. A low-volume lithograph, on the other hand, is used for smaller-format prints, such as postcards or small-size artwork. It is also used for high-volume text, such as newspapers and books.
The process of lithography dates back to the 18th century, when a German playwright named Alois Senefelder (1771-1834) accidentally discovered it. He discovered the technique while painting on limestone slabs with crayons and printing with rolled-on ink. Alois Senefelder, a printer and artist, further improved the process, and the first collection of lithographs was published in London in 1803. It was then followed by the development of offset printing and a number of other forms of printmaking.
Lithography is one of the most commonly used methods of printmaking. Originally, lithographs were made with a flat, smooth surface of limestone and involved a long, intensive process of developing the image. To create a lithograph, a chemical solution is applied to the surface of the stone, which becomes sensitized to ink. The water attracts the ink, which bonds with the drawing and transfers to paper, creating a print.
Although lithography is a form of printmaking, it can be difficult to determine the exact date when a work of art was produced. Its popularity has increased steadily since the mid-18th century. Early examples of lithographs include the Spanish painter Goya, the French expressionists Gericault and Delacroix, and an American printmaker James Mcneill Whistler.
Offset lithography is most often associated with posters. The iconic example of this technique is the two-toned posters of the 1960s. The lithographic plates are used in a large printing press, where pigment is transferred onto a rubber blanket before printing. A Fine Arts Museum video of lithography printing illustrates this process. Ultimately, lithographic prints have consistent, high-quality images, but are not considered to be original artwork.
Screen printing
The process of screen printing is an example of two overlapping screens. The first is covered with a stencil, while the second is a sheet of paper placed beneath the screen. The ink is forced through the areas of the screen that are not blocked by the stencil, creating an impression that follows the direction of the matrix. Screen printing can produce various printed surfaces, depending on the technique used and the desired end result. To achieve different colors, the printmaker must use different stencils. There are many precautions to make sure that the ink is registered properly.
Screen printing began in the 1930s, when federal art project artists experimented with the process. Their experiments inspired the creation of the National Serigraphic Society, which distinguishes between fine art and commercial screen printing. During the 1960s, screen printing became popular among POP artists. The basic process of screen printing involves forcing ink through a stencil onto paper. The ink must be mixed by the artist to ensure the desired value and hue. The screen is made to accommodate up to 40 colors, depending on the artist’s preference.
The first syllable of screen printing comes from the Latin word serigraph, which means “made from silk.” The process of screen printing is also known as serigraphy. A stencil is adhered to a fine mesh of silk or other fabric, and the ink is forced through the openings. Modern silkscreen printing uses polyester and other synthetic fibers. The process is used for all sorts of products from fabrics to electrical components.
This method is the most common of the four different printmaking methods. The main difference between screen printing and the other three types of printmaking is the printing method. In screen printing, ink is placed on the substrate using a stencil or mesh. The ink is forced through the screen through a capillary action. The printmaker then uses a squeegee to push the screen away from the substrate.