Printing Processes

Relief

Relief printing is using raised surfaces to transfer ink to paper.

1. Cut the drawing into your desired block, common mediums are wood, linoleum, and metal
2. Pour ink and spread it evenly. Then, you lay a damp piece of paper over the print
3. Take a brayer and apply pressure to the paper and remove it

Intaglio

Intaglio uses cutting or engraving to hold the ink.

1. Use a burin to cut into a metal plate
2. Cover the plate with a resin based ground
3. Use an etching needle to reveal the plate underneath
4. Dip the plate into acid
5. Remove the plate from acid
6. Remove the ground
7. Apply a layer of ink to the plate
8. Wipe using newspaper to leave ink only in the ridges
9. Print with damp paper

Lithography

Lithography uses the property of oil repelling water to hold the ink in certain areas.

1. Draw the image with oil, fat, or wax
2. Treat the stone with gum arabic and acid
3. Wet the stone
4. Apply an oil based ink to the surface
5. Apply a sheet of paper to the stone and press

Summary

I would like to try relief printing. It sounds the most interesting to me because I like the black and white properties. I believe the styles of the different printing methods are reflected in modern work because of their recognizable properties.