Print making

Intaglio Printing

Intaglio printing is a given name for a family of printmaking techniques in which the image is indented into a surface. The first step towards making an Intaglio print includes applying ink to the surface using a mushroom shape tool. Once applied, excess ink is rubbed off using a cloth, before a smooth finish is given with either a piece of newspaper or yellow pages to leave only the ink incisions. Before running through a printing press, a damp piece of paper is placed over the plate. The press then applies pressure to the plate, and transfers the ink to the paper.

Below is an example of a Intaglio print by an artist named Durer.

The use of repetitive lines and no flat areas of tone or colour in this image is how you can tell that Durer's print of a rhino is Intaglio. The attention to detail and stylised form works well with Intaglio.

Relief Printing
Relief printing is an image created by a printmaking process where the areas of the plate that are to show printed black are on the original surface. Printing is a relatively easy matter, with the inked plate coming into firm contact with the paper. During Relief printing, a printing press isn't needed as the back of the paper can be rubbed or pressed by hand, and tools such as rollers can be used. 

Below is an example of a Relief print by an artist named Katsushika Hoksai. 

The use of block colours are typical for Relief Print's. However, the use of minor detail adds effect to this Print.
 
Planographic Printing
Unlike either Relief or Intaglio Printing, Planographic printing means from a flat surface. Planographic techniques include lithography. The image is applying a greasey substance to a plate or stone.

Below is an example of a Planographic print by an artist named Edvard Munch.

Stencil Printing
Stencil's are used as templates to draw or paint identical images every time it is used. To form a stencil, sections are removed from template material in the form of text or an image. The template can then be used to create impressions of the stenciled image, by applying pigment on the surface of the template and through the removed sections, leaving a reproduction of the stencil on the underlying surface.

Below is an example of a Stencil print by an artist named Andy Warhol.