Printmaking is a creative method primarily based on the idea of shifting of pics onto every other surface, in most cases paper and fabric. Let’s have a look at some of the types of printmaking.
Relief Printmaking
In relief printmaking, the images are printed from the designs carved on the surface of the block. The block consists of designs created by cutting undesired areas, and the inks are rolled on its surface. The blocks are pressed with light pressure on the surface to transfer the design.
The woodcut and linocut are the best examples of relief printmaking.
Screen Printing
In the Screen printing method, screen/films are used to transfer the designs or patterns on to the fabric. This method is very popular in the textile industry. A stencil and a nylon mesh are used in screen printing to transfer the design. The material is used to block the space of your fabric on which the design is to be printed. Then this blocked area is swamped with the ink. However, the wooden squeegee is used to work the color through the screen to the fabric.
Lithography
Lithography is a planographic printmaking process, which allows the artist to draw or paint directly on the surface of the stone. The greasy material and water-based material is used on the grease-sensitive-surface to create the image. Lithography is an “off-set” printing process and requires a long bed on which paper and plate are positioned side by side.
Intaglio Printmaking
In the intaglio printmaking process, the image is etched on to the surface of the plate. In this process, the ink is located below the surface of the plate and is transferred to the paper under pressure by an intaglio press.
This is a heavy press in which a thin metal bed is hung between the two rollers; blankets are used to soften and spread the pressure and to help push the dampered paper into the deeper areas of the unturned plates. Some examples of intaglio printmaking are etching, mezzotint, aquatint, engraving, and collagraph.
