Printmaking: Introduction
Printmaking is the process of creating multiple original images (prints) from one original surface, by hand, usually on paper.
Unlike painting, where the artist paint directly onto the surface,
the artist printmaker transfers the image from the original source (plate) using different printmaking
techniques, onto another surface, either by hand or by using a printmaking press.
In printmaking, the original plate (also called matrix) is normally made of wood, metal or linoleum
and various printmaking techniques such as etching, lithography, or woodcut can be used to transfer the image onto the paper or chosen print surface.
Depending on the techniques used, the prints can be produces from either one,
or many plates printed on top of each other, each representing a separate colour or design.
Each of the prints are considered an original piece of art and each print is signed, titled and numbered by the artist.
These identically prints are part of an edition and is different from any mechanically produced prints and posters
(where the original artwork is photographed and then reproduced).
Prints are often classified according to the type of surface used to create them and can be divided into four categories:
Relief, Intaglio, Stencil, and Planographic.
Click here for more information about the different printmaking categories.
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