A print is a two-dimensional art form created by an impression made by a method involving a transfer from one surface to another.
All type of prints come in multiples (except monotypes) to form an edition. Since the late 19th century, artists tend to identify each print with a number and signature. It is common practice for the maker to produce a limited edition of the image, which means there is a fixed quantity. The tools used to create the print are often destroyed once the edition has been completed.
The earliest example of a printmaking technique is ‘Woodcut’, which is a type of relief print developed in the Far East. Relief prints are made up of recessed areas, so that the raised parts remaining can be inked and used to create an impression. This type of print is created using wood, linocut and metal cut.
Nowadays, along with relief prints a range of techniques are used to create different type of prints.
The below techniques include the intaglio technique where areas in the plate are incised or chemically etched to hold the ink.
Engraving: A hardened steel tool called a burin is used to cut lines into the surface of a metal plate. The appearance of the incisions depends on the angle and pressure applied when using the burin. When the ink is applied over the metal plate it is retained in the incisions and the paper picks it up in the press to create the impression.
Etching: Like engraving, the indentations hold the ink, but these are created in a different manner. Lines are cut onto a waxy surface which covers the metal plate. The plate is placed in an acid bath, which ‘bites’ into the metal left exposed and thus traces are formed. The plate is then ready for ink to be applied and follows the subsequent steps in engraving.
Mezzotint: This type of print is a form of engraving where the whole plate of metal is roughened and then scraped and polished to different degrees, so that the ink also holds in varies quantities. With this type of print a good range of tone is achieved.
Aquatint: This intaglio method is similar to etching as acid is used to make marks in the plate. However, a powdered resin is applied in parts making them acid resistant. Removing a protective coat leaves textured areas and a number of acid baths are made until the darkest tones are reached.
Drypoint: This print-type is a variant of engraving which employs the intaglio method. However, with drypoint a sharp metal point is used which creates ridges (known as “burr”) in the lines made. This technique allows for the ink to leave a soft, sometimes blurry line.
Other print techniques include:
Lithography: This type of print is based on the chemical repulsion of oil and water. Grease-based utensils are used to draw an image on limestone, aluminium or onto a zinc plate. The plate is washed with a solution that creates water-receptive, non-printing areas and grease-reception areas that draws in the ink. The paper when pressed against the other surface can capture fine graduations in shading as well as very small detail.
Screenprint: This is a very popular print type as the finest detail can be captured as well as bold colour. To create the screen a stencil of an image is either attached to or created on a piece of fabric which is stretched over a frame. The screen is placed on top of paper, glass or any other suitable surface and then ink or paint is forced through the fabric onto the surface with a rubber blade. Colours and other images can be added using separate screens to build up a complete image onto the surface. Modern technology means that the finest detail can also be transposed by using screens that capture an artist’s image through UV sensitive emulsions and transparent films.
Monotype: Unlike all other print types monotypes tend to be one-off prints which are created by drawing or painting onto a smooth plate and then transferring the image onto paper.
Monoprint: This type of print is created by using a plate which has permanent lines or textures which can be reused.
Aside from the prints created as part of an edition, it is normal for artists to have a copy of the print as an Artists Proof (AP). If the AP is inscribed with a message or dedicated by the artist, they can be very collectable and as such more expensive than a print from the edition.
It is worth highlighting that each print is defined as an impression and an original since it is not a copy or a reproduction of another work of art. Digitally produced prints, in the form of giclee prints, where the technique has been used in order to conceive and create an image can be classed as an original. However, where the technology is used to make copies of reproductions of images from a different medium (i.e. a painting) this does not constitute an original print.
Looking for galleries who stock this artform?
Why not explore our member galleries
Cider Press Gallery, Cider Press Centre, Shinner's Bridge, Dartington, Devon, TQ9 6TQ
The Brighton Box Gallery Ltd, 21 Dukes Lane, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1BG
Oxmarket Contemporary, St Andrew's Court, Off East Street, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1YH
Project Art Works, 3 Arch, Braybrooke Terrace, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 1TD
The Royal Cambrian Academy of Art, Crown Lane, Conwy, CONWY, LL32 8AN
The Art Shop & Chapel, No 8 Cross Street, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 5EH
Plas Glyn y Weddw Gallery, Llanbedrog, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 7TT
Canfas Gallery, Grosvenor Hill, Grovesnor Hill, Cardigan, Ceredigion, SA43 1HY
Oriel Glasfryn Gallery, South Street, Caerwys, Mold, Caerwys, Flintshire, CH7 5AF
Shetland Museum & Archives, Hays Dock, Lerwick, Shetland, ZE1 0WP
Chalkpit Farm, Adisham Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 5EU
Summerhouse Gallery Ltd, Market Place, Marazion, Cornwall, TR17 0AR
National Trust, Cotehele House, Cotehele, Saltash, Cornwall, PL12 6TA
Milton Art Gallery, Milton of Crathes, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, AB31 5QH
Liberation Art Gallery, 38 Meeting House Lane, Brighton, East Sussex, BN11HB
The Rutland Gallery, 27 High Street East, Uppingham, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 9PY
Southwark Park Galleries, 1 Park Approach, Southwark Park, London, London, SE16 2UA
Danby Lodge National Park Centre, Lodge Lane, Danby, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 2NB
Laura I.Gallery, Icehouse Court, Abbey Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 7BT
Railway Cottage, Behind Bass Warehouse, Off Castle Street, Manchester, M3 4LZ
Unit 3C, Mardleybury Farm, Mardleybury Road, Datchworth, Hertfordshire, SG36SG
Tamarisk Gallery, The Parade, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, TR21 0LP
Art of Protest Gallery, 11 Walmgate, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 9TX
Woolwich Works, No 1 Street, Royal Arsenal Riverside, Woolwich, London, SE18 6HD
Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF4 4LG
The Ropewalk, Maltkiln Road, Barton upon Humber, North Lincolnshire, DN18 5LT
24 Church Street, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 3EG
St Anne's Court, 59 North Street, BT1 1NB, Belfast, Antrim, BT1 1NB
The Paragon Gallery, 4 Rotunda Terrace, Montpellier Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1SW
Hang-Up Pictures Ltd, 10D Branch Place, Regents Canal, Hoxton, London, N1 5PH
Outside In, PO Box 810,, Chichester,, PO19 9WF, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 9WF
83-85 Town Street, Sandsgate Building, Farsley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS28 5UJ
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 75 Belford Road, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL
45 Eldon Garden Shopping Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 7RA
Royal West of England Academy, Queens Road, Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1PX
Edinburgh Printmakers, Castle Mills, 1 Dundee Street, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH3 9FP
30 Gray Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, Broughty Ferry Dundee, Angus, DD5 2BJ
Art Forms
Why not see what other great art forms there are for you to discover?