What is Printmaking?

 

Printmaking is a traditional process of creating art by transferring an image onto paper or fabric, using a variety of methods and has been with us for hundreds of years.

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Printmaking creates single or multiple prints from matrix’s, normally called plates. It differs from printing in that it does not seek to create exact duplicates or copies. Images are created with special printmaking inks, rather than paints.

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Plates are worked on by the artist using a variety of techniques and tools, to create an image. They can be made of wood, lino, perspex, metal or card, and images are carved into them by the artist. With some processes acids are used to bite into the plate and create special effects as well. Other techniques use wax or sugar solutions to create effects.

 

When the plate is inked up, paper is placed over it and, using downward pressure, the image is transferred from plate to paper. As the process is repeated, variations will appear which ensure each print is unique, meaning that each print is not a copy but an original.

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With the exception of artists proofs, (marked A/P), which allow the artist to further manipulate the plate after printing to achieve the required effect, the number of copies should be individually numbered to enable potential purchasers to know how many were created. For example, 2/25 will inform the viewer that what they are looking at is the second print from a run, or edition, of 25. The printmaker must only use this plate again if it is clearly indicated that it is a ‘second edition’ print.

 

Many artists use printmaking as part of their arts practice as it is an extremely versatile, responsive and expressive artform which requires them to adapt and learn new ways of expressing themselves visually. Picasso was a prolific printmaker and continued to make prints in the last years of his life.