Intaglio Printmaking

An intaglio print is one where the image is printed from a recessed design incised or etched into the surface of a plate. In this type of print the ink lies below the surface of the plate and is transferred to the paper under pressure using an intaglio press.
This is a heavy press with a flat, metal bed suspended between two rollers; blankets are used soften and spread the pressure and to help push the dampened paper in to the deeper areas of the upturned plate. Examples of intaglio printmaking are etching, mezzotint, aquatint, engraving, dry point and collagraph.