Printmaking is an artistic process that involves transferring an original image from a matrix onto another surface like paper. There are three main stages: creating the printing plate or matrix, applying ink to the matrix, and transferring the image. The main printing techniques are relief printing where the matrix is carved and the raised areas hold ink, intaglio where the image is incised into a metal plate and paper is pressed into the lines, lithography which uses a greasy drawing on a flat stone, and serigraphy or silkscreen printing where stencils create the design.

1. PRINTMAKING
DIFFERENT ARTS & FORMS

2. PRINTMAKING
•Printmaking is the process of making artworks
by printing, normally on paper. Printmaking
normally covers only the process of creating prints
that have an element of originality, rather than
just being a photographic reproduction of a
painting. Except in the case of monotyping, the
process is capable of producing multiples of the
same piece, which is called a print. Good example
is the practice of printing press.

3. PRINTMAKING
•It is the process that involves the repeated
transferring of an original image from a
matrix (printing plate) onto another usually
paper. The process of printmaking involves
three stages: (1) creating the matrix or the
printing plate; (2) applying ink to the matrix;
and (3) transferring the image onto the
surface.

4. PRINTING TECHNIQUES
(1) RELIEF PRINTING – The wood block or
matrix is carved using knives or gouges. The
areas that are to be printed are then left raised.
Ink is applied to this raised surfaces and the
matrix is pressed to the surface (paper) to
transfer the image.

5. PRINTING TECHNIQUES
RELIEF PRINTING

6. PRINTING TECHNIQUES
(2) INTAGLIO – These are created using metal
plate which the image is incised into a surface,
the incised areas holds the ink. Paper is laid on
top of the plate and both are passed through a
printing press forcing the paper into the
incised lines to get the ink. This process is the
opposite of relief printing.

7. PRINTING TECHNIQUES
INTAGLIO

8. PRINTING TECHNIQUES
(3) LITHOGRAPHY – This is also known as “planographic”
printing. It involves drawing the image on flat stone
(limestone) or metal plate with a using a greasy substance so
that the ink will stick to the support. This is based on the
principle that “oil and water do not mix.”
After the matrix is complete, used nitric acid as a fixative
to preserve the design, then dampened the matrix using
water. A roller with oily ink is used to which sticks to the crayon
marks and repels the water. When the matrix is pressed to the
paper, then the image is revealed.

9. PRINTING TECHNIQUES
LITHOGRAPHY

10. PRINTING TECHNIQUES
(4) Serigraphy – This is also known as “silkscreen”
printing. Stencils are used to create the design or
the image. The screen is a piece of silk, nylon
or fine metal mesh that is stretched on a frame. The
images are produced using paints or inks and
squeegee (rubber-bladed tool).

11. PRINTING TECHNIQUES
SERIGRAPHY