A multiple original impression made from a plate, stone, woodblock, or screen by an artist or made under the artist's supervision. Prints are usually made in editions, with each print numbered and signed by the artist.
Edition
In printmaking, the total number of prints made and approved by the artist, usually numbered consecutively. Also, a limited number of multiple originals of a single design in any medium.
Relief Print
A printing technique in which the parts of the printing surface that carry ink are left raised, while the remaining areas (negative spaces) are cut away. Woodcuts and linoleum prints (linocuts) are relief prints.
Registration
In color printmaking or machine printing, the process of aligning the impressions of blocks or plates on the same sheet of paper.
Linoleum Cut/Linocut
A Relief printmaking process in which an artist cuts away negative spaces from a block of linoleum, leaving raised areas to take ink for printing.
Intaglio
Any printmaking technique in which lines and areas to be inked are recessed below the surface of the printing plate. Etching, engraving, drypoints, and aquatint are all intaglio processes.
Engraving
An intaglio printmaking process in which grooves are cut into a metal or wood surface with a sharp cutting tool called a burin or graver.
Burin
A tool used in Engraving
Aquantint
An intaglio printmaking prcoess in which value areas rather than lines are etched on the printing plate. Powdered resin is sprinkled on the plate, which is then immersed in an acid bath. The acid bites around the resin particles, creating a rough surface
Lithography
A planographic printmaking technique based on the antipathy of oil and water. The image is drawn with a grease crayon or painted with tusche on a stone or grained alumium plate. The surface is then chemically treated and dampened so that it will aceept in
Offset Lithography
Lithography printing by indirect image transfer from photomechanical plates. The plates transfers ink to a rubber-covered cylinder, which "offsets" the ink to paper. Also called photo-offset lithography.
Silkscreen/Serigraphy/Screenprinting
A printmaking technique in which stencils are applied to fabric stretched across a frame. Paint or ink is forced with a squeegee through the unblocked portions of the screen onto paper or other surfaces beneath.
Matrix
The blocke of metal, wood, stone, or other material that an artist works to create a print.
Artist's Proof
A trial print, usually made as an artist works on a plate or block to check the progress of a work.
Woodcut/Woodblock
A type of relief print made from a pank of relatively soft wood. The artist carves away the negative spaces, leaving the image in relief to take ink for printing.
Wood Engraving
A method of relief printing in wood. In comparison to woodcut, a wood engraving is made with denser wood, cutting into the end of the grain rather than the side. The density of the wood demands the use of engraving tools, rather than woodcarving tools.
Plate Mark
An impression made on a piece of paper by pressing a printing plate onto it. A plate mark is usually a sign of an original print.
Etching
An intaglio printmaking process in which a metal plate is first coated with acid-resistant wax or varnish, then scratched to expose the metal to the bite of nitric acid where lines are desired.
Burr
The ridge left by scratching a drypoint line in a copper plate. The burr holds the ink for printing.
Drypoint
An intaglio printmaking process in which lines are scratched directly into a metal plate witha steel needle. The scratch raises a ridge that takes the ink. Also, the resulting print.
Tusche
In lithography, a waxy liquid used to draw or paint images on a lithographic stone or plate.
Stencil
A sheet of paper, cardboard, or metal with a design cut out. Painting or stamping over the sheet prints the design on a surface.
Photo Screen
A variation of silkscreen in which the stencil is prepared by transferring a photograph to the stencil.