What is a print?

A print is often confused with a photocopy or reproduction.  A photocopy or reproduction of a work of art is not the original work of art by that artist.   Each print is an original and is printed individually from a plate, stone, screen, block or other matrix created for that purpose.

Among the many methods of printmaking are relief printing and intaglio.

Relief printing includes woodcut, linocut and wood engraving.                                                   Ink is applied to the raised surface of a plate and an impression is taken either by hand or with a printing press.  Areas cut away by the artist or which don’t stand out in relief will print blank on the paper.

Intaglio includes etching, engraving, drypoint and mezzotint.          Lines are incised into a metal plate or some other surface using either a sharp tool or acids. When ink is applied to the surface these lines hold the ink and form the image when the plate is run through a printing press.

The Etching Process

A metal plate, usually copper or zinc is covered with an acid resistant substance called hard ground. The image is drawn into the ground using an etching needle or similar sharp tool, exposing the metal beneath. The plate is then immersed in an acid bath to etch the image into the plate. The longer the plate remains in the acid the darker the line will be.

The plate can now be inked, wiped, placed on the etching press and covered with damp paper. When run through the press the ink which has been rubbed into the etched lines in the plate is transferred onto the paper creating the image.

The artist may continue to develop the image and make successive prints called trial proofs. When the artist is satisfied with the result an edition is printed. An edition consists of a set number of prints decided upon by the artist.

Different techniques can be used to create different tones and effects. These are some that Diana Baldwin uses.

Aquatint is used to create tones. Ground rosin is dusted onto the plate and heated. This creates a matrix of tiny dots which resist the acid and therefore allows the artist to create tones or shades.

Soft ground can be used to create textures. Plant material and other textured items can be pressed into soft ground which allows those patterns to be etched into the plate.

Chine-collé  Japanese tissue or washi, can be used if a very delicate image is to be printed or to create a background. Due to its fine nature it must be glued onto a support of stronger paper with a special Japanese wheat paste. 

Drypoint  An image is drawn directly onto the bare plate using a sharp tool such as an etching needle. When inked and run through the press the burrs which are created when the etching needle is scratched over the plate hold ink and therefore print. This results in a softer line.

Traditional etching materials tend to be toxic. Baldwin uses some of the many non toxic alternatives that are available today.