Visual Arts Brampton
Intaglio

Part of The Printmaking Process

A special section, in partnership with the Art Gallery of Peel, part of Brampton's Peel Heritage Complex.

The term intaglio comes from the Italian word itagliare, which means to engrave, carve or cut. This encompasses several printmaking methods such as aquatint, drypoint, mezzotint, embossing, etching and engraving, all of which involve the incision of designs into plates.

The general premise is to work from a plate of copper, zinc, or cardboard, creating incised lines that can be printed. Once the plate is worked in the desired method, a layer of ink is applied to the plate. The lines and crevices will hold the ink and the surface of the plate is then wiped clean. Additional colours may be rolled on the surface before printing.

Dampened paper is then placed over the inked plate and both are run through the etching press. The pressure must be enough for the paper to be pushed into the lines to pick up the ink. The paper is carefully lifted from the plate and the impression left on the paper is the original print.