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A Brief Glossary of Printmaking Techniques.

Chromolithography -- See lithography below.  In chromolithography an image is printed from several stones in sequence, each one adding a new color, shading or hue to the image. 

Engraving -- The design to be printed is cut into the surface of a copper or steel plate, usually in a pattern of small dots and lines. The plate is then inked and wiped leaving the ink remaining in the incised areas, which then allows the design to transfer to paper in the printing process.

Etching -- As with engraving the printing surface is a copper or steel plate; the design is scratched into a coating on the plate and the plate then treated with acid.  The acid works on the portion of the plate where the coating, or “resist,” has been scratched away, biting into it the original design. The plate is then inked and wiped leaving the ink remaining in the incised areas, which then allows the design to transfer to paper in the printing process.

Letterpress -- Text printed from moveable type.  This is often combined with a woodcut, or wood-engraved image.

Lithography -- The design to be printed is drawn with a crayon, pen, or brush on the polished surface of a flat stone, usually limestone.  The design is then hardened chemically, moistened, and inked.  The ink adheres to the portion of the surface area which has been drawn on, so that the design transfers to the paper in the printing process.

Woodcut -- The design to be printed is carved in relief on the surface of a block of hard wood. When the block is inked the ink adheres to the raised lines on the block’s surface.  The block can then be printed in the same press as letterpress type. 


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