Glossary of terms for Intaglio Printmaking

Edition - The body of identical prints made from one design.

Embossing - A printmaking or stamping method in which a design is impressed into paper without the use of ink.

Engraving - An intaglio process in which a burin is pushed across a metal plate, forcing the metal up into delicate tendrils in front of the V-shaped channel cut into the surface of the plate.

Etching - An intaglio process whereby the surface of a metal plate is partially eaten away or bitten by an acid in order to create a design. Etching is a chemical process in which the plate is coated with an acid resistant ground or solution. A design is drawn into the ground exposing the metal below. An acid bath etches the design into the plate that is then inked and printed.

Ground - An acid resistant substance often including, asphaltum, beeswax, and resin, used to protect non-image areas of the plate from the action of the acid.

Impression - Any impression taken from a metal plate, stone slab, or wood block.

Inking - The ink is pressed into the lines on a plate with a pad called a dabber. Any left on the surface is removed by wiping muslin (tarlatan) across the plate, and the process is usually completed with the palm of the hand.

Intaglio - A printing process by which the design is etched, scratched or engraved onto the plate, which is then covered with ink. The surface is wiped clean, leaving ink only in the incised lines. The inked plate is covered by a sheet of dampened paper and run through a press so that the paper is forced into the incised markings, thus picking up the ink.

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