Factfiles Printing Techniques

Etching		An etching is a print taken from a sheet of metal, usually copper, zinc or steel, into which the image has been bitten with acid. The metal plate is initially covered with a "ground". The artist then draws the image through this ground, thus exposing the metal surface. The print is then immersed into an acid bath. The acid etches away the unprotected metal, creating grooves, which can hold ink. An etching is an intaglio print, from the Latin work meaning to carve or incise. The plate when ready is placed on a press, under tremendous pressure forcing the ink contained in the grooves on to the paper.
Screenprint		Screenprints, also known as serigraphs or silkscreen prints, are printed using a screen made from fine fabric, generally silk, stretched over a frame. The non-printing areas are blocked off with a filler or stencil using a hand-painted or photographic image. The open areas of the mesh will print the image. The paper is placed beneath the screen and the ink is pulled across the screen using a rubber blade. The ink, passing through the mesh of the screen is deposited on the paper below.
Collagraph		A collagraph, which is derived from the French word "coller" meaning "to stick", is the printed result of a variety of materials glued together on a base made usually of metal or card. This is then inked up and printed.
Lithograph		A lithograph image is created with a waxy utensil on a zinc plate or on limestone. The surface is wetted and rolled up with ink. The ink adheres to the waxed surface but not the dampened areas surrounding it. As the image lies on the surface and not in grooves, little pressure is needed during printing. Lithographs consequently do not normally have platemarks.
Drypoint		The image is scratched on the plate surface with a sharp needle. Depending on the force and angle used, fine, sharp pieces of metal are thrown up on either side of the line. This "burr" holds ink, as does the furrow created by the needle. The result is a warm, almost blurred line. Because burr wears quickly its presence can indicate an early impression.
Mezzotint		A plate is roughened with a fine toothed tool, known as a mezzotint rocker. When inked, this surface prints a rich, velvety black. The image is created by smoothing or "Burnishing" areas to produce lighter tones. The process is unusual therefore in creating a white image from a black background.

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