Printmaking Techniques

Types of engraving technique

Wood Engraving

Engraving with very fine tools on the end-grain of a hardwood, such as box or pear, to leave the image in relief- the block is then rolled up with ink over the surface and printed by hand burnishing on the back of the paper, or putting it through a press.

Woodcut

This is a similar relief printing process,(the method of printing used for the earliest books, from the 15^th century) which uses the long grain of woods such as cherry, cutting into the wood with small wood carving tools, such as gouges.

Copper Engraving

Engraving with a fine tool called a burin on copper (or other metal such as zinc) to leave the image on the plate to be filled with ink and printed under heavy pressure on a roller press.

Etching

A development of the process of engraving, lines are created by drawing on a metal plate through a wax ground, then immersion of the plate in acid so the lines are etched out. Great variation can be achieved by different etching techniques, such as Aquatint.