Intaglio

An etched /
engraved block
being inked,
wiped, printed &
the print being
removed.

 

An Intaglio Print is made by cutting into a flat surface by hand as in ‘engraving’ or by using acid to burn into a metal plate as in ‘etching’. Ink is rubbed into the hollows and the surface wiped clean of excess ink. Dampened paper is then placed over the inked plate and is passed through a rotary press, forcing the paper into the inky hollows, leaving the paper embossed by the plate.

The depth and density of the pits and hollows controls the tone of the finished print.