Intaglio Printmaking

1. Intaglio Printmaking Jessica Stefani CMU EDU 290

2. What is Intaglio? A printmaking technique where a plate is incised so the ink lies below the plate’s surface. Image is transferred under pressure. Most common techniques: Engraving and Etching

3. The Six Basic Steps to Intaglio. Design Preparation Plate work Inking Printing or pulling editions Presentation

4. Create Your Design! Step one: Design Intaglio can support detailed designs. Think about texture, contrast, and depth. Designs can be graphic or more three dimensional. Picture by Jessica Stefani

5. Step Two: Preparing the Plate and Paper. Cut your copper plate to desired dimensions with a plate shear set at a 90° angle. Bevel the edges of the plate to a 45° angle. Degrease the plate using vinegar and salt. Rinse and let air dry. Top Bottom 45 °

6. Paper Preparation Tear the Printing Paper (do not cut) and let soak in water before printing. Always dab away access water from the surface of the paper before lying it on the plate. Have at least a two inch boarder around the top and sides of the plate. Have at least a three inch boarder on the bottom. Plate 4” 2”

7. Step Three: Basic Plate Work Depending on the design, there are several ways to imbue the plate with your image. Engraving and Etching are two basic techniques to create a design on your plate. Be aware, the image will print reverse to what the plate shows!!

8. Etching

9. What you need: Chemical resistant gloves and goggles Ferric Chloride Solution (type of acid) Scribe tool Ground Contact paper Copper Plate Foam Brush Alcohol and degreasing agents http://www.artmaterials.com.au/images/scribe999.jpg http://cdn.dickblick.com/items/469/00/46900-1004-2ww-m.jpg

10. Process Cover the back of plate with contact paper. Completely cover face of plate with liquid ground. Let dry Using the scribe tool draw the desired image on the plate. (do not need a lot of pressure) Place image in Acid Let sit till desired depth is reached.

11. Engraving

12. What you Need Engraving tools: Burnisher Burin Triangular scraper Scribe tool Etching ink Copper plate Degreasing cleaner http://www.utrechtart.com/images/products/brandpages/Etching-Plates_lg.jpg

13. Process Lightly sketch design on plate with the scribe tool Use other tools to deepen lines, add texture, and remove burs by applying pressure and the tool to the plate. Make sure burs are removed before printing. Use etching ink on the surface to check progress.

14. Etched Plate with Dry point Detail Design and plate work by Jessica Stefani

15. Inking Degrease plate with vinegar and salt. Work etching ink on a Plexiglas surface till smooth Use a Dabber to apply ink in an even coat over the surface of the plate. NO plate should be showing! Wiping Rag wipe using a tarlatan Hand wipe using hand or tarlatan with less pressure Paper wipe using very light circular motions.

16. Printing or Pulling Editions When the plate is wiped you are ready to print! Set a piece of newsprint marked with squares for the plate and paper ( a register) on the printing press . Set the plate and paper on top of the newsprint and cover with a second piece of newsprint. Lower the printing felts and run plate through the press. Lift felts and remove your print! Fun Fact: The process to printing multiple prints is called Pulling editions.

17. There are several ways to mark your finished print, all include:  Title  Edition Number  Artist’s signature Untitled 3/15 Jessie Stefani Finishing Touches

18. Visual Aid For a visual aid, click on the link to see the intaglio process broadcast from the Minneapolis Institute of art. YouTube - Printmaking Processes: Intaglio http://www.artsconnected.org/media/e1/55/5e3a3e1d2be597bd2b31f2fdee5e/145/120/26568.jpg