Printing Processes

Relief Printing

Relief printing is the ability to print using raised images to transfer ink onto paper. To print, artists tone the block using a wash of jet black film ink. Then they used iron oxide or carbon transfer paper to transfer the image. Using cutting tools such as wood, linoleum or metal, cut the image. Then, carefully apply and spread the ink onto the image. Lastly, use a brayer to apply pressure, then remove the print.

Intaglio

Intaglio is a process of an image being carved under a flat surface. In order to do Intalgio, your plate must be clean and polished. Then smoke the plate so that it is jet black. After, stratch the ground of the plate to reveal metal, which the etching later rids of. Then apply ink to the plate. Lastly, set a damp piece of paper on the plate and run it through the press.

Lithography

Lithography uses ink, water, and grease to print an image. First you use a greasy tool like oil or fat to draw your image on the stone. Chemicals are then applied to define which areas are for no image, which sets up etching. The etched material is replaced by gum arabic. A cloth is used to add this to the stone. The drawn image will be washed out with lithonine and asphaltum restores it. The stone is wetted then a wet and dry towels are used on it. Then press the paper on to the stone for the image. 

Out of all of the printing processes, the one that I would most like to try is Lithography. I found how it worked very interesting how the oil and water repelling can lead to art. The other kinds seemed cool to try out also, but Lithography stuck out the most to me.