Printmaking History, Processes, and Artists

Printmaking is a very old art form that has existed for centuries. It was originally used to make important religious prints, before moveable type made it much quicker and easier to create prints. After that printmaking became a regular art from artists used to portray all kinds of subjects. Printmaking was often used to create images and text in newspapers, put graphics on t-shirts and other mass produced design products, posters, and eventually fine arts. Printmaking was used in Europe as early as the 14th century, and became quite popular in Asian cultures as well. There are also many ways of doing printmaking varying in materials techniques.

Four types of printmaking:

1. Linoleum Block Printing or Linotype

Linotype printing is a type of printmaking in which a block of linoleum is cut away from, usually with one or several sharp tools made to dig the linoleum out. First the artist would lightly draw their image onto the block and then cut the negative space out of the block, leaving the actual work raised. The raised area would then be coated in ink with a brayer and pressed onto the surface receiving the print such as paper.

2. Screen Printing or Silk-Screening

Screen printing is a form of printing that uses a mesh stencil to print on fabric. The mesh allows the in to be easily transferred to another surface. This method soaks the stencil in ink and presses it against the fabric surface receiving the print. A form of squeegee would then add pressure to the stencil, forcing the ink to absorb into the fabric.

3. Woodblock

Woodblock printing is most popular in Asian cultures. It is a method of printing that is most commonly used on fabric or to create seals and stamps. This technique is similar to the one used in linoleum block printing in that negative space would be carefully cut out of the woodblock using a chisel tool or sandpaper. This type of carving is what's called a relief. The act of actually creating the print can be done in three ways, by simply pressing the block on the surface, by placing the fabric on the block and rubbing it, or by running it through a printing press. If these prints are done in color each color is on a separate block, though certain areas can be printed over to create more complex color patterns.

4. Etching

Etching is a type of printmaking used with metal. A type of waxy material known as a ground is placed over the surface of the metal for the artist to carve lines and designs out of. The ground is resistant to acid, allowing the areas it covers not to be eaten away by acid. This allows the artist to then dip the piece into acid that eats away the carved areas, forming deep lines in the metal where the artist carved them. The block of metal would then be put through a printing press with paper to print the design.

Katsushika Hokusai

Andy Warhol

Orla Kiely