Flatetrykk

Flatetrykk is a term used to describe printing methods in which the image to be printed is formed on a flat printing surface, rather than on a raised or recessed element. It is most closely associated with planographic processes such as lithography and offset printing. The concept contrasts with relief printing, where the image is raised on the printing surface, and with intaglio, where the image is recessed.

In lithography, a flat plate carries both image and non-image areas. The surface chemistry makes the image areas receptive to ink while the non-image areas repel ink when dampened with water. During printing, ink transfers from the flat plate to a substrate, either directly or via a rubber blanket in offset lithography. Offset printing, widely used in commercial reproduction, relies on a two-step transfer: from plate to blanket, then from blanket to paper, enabling smoother ink transfer and better durability for high-volume runs.

Materials and variations evolve over time. Historic flatetrykk used limestone and metal plates; modern practice often employs aluminum plates and synthetic supports. The term is used primarily in Scandinavian translations and discussions of planographic printing methods, sometimes as a general label for lithography and related technologies.

Applications include fine art prints, posters, magazines, newspapers, and various packaging uses. Advantages of flatetrykk include the ability to render fine detail and broad tonal ranges, stable repeatability, and efficiency in large runs. Limitations involve sensitivity to contamination, the need for chemical processing and dampening systems, and the initial setup cost for plate preparation.