Intagliotekniikka

Intagliotekniikka, often translated as intaglio printing, is a group of printing techniques where the image is created by incising a design into a surface. The incised areas hold the ink, which is then transferred to paper or other material. This is the opposite of relief printing, where the ink is applied to the raised surface.

Common intaglio techniques include engraving, etching, drypoint, and aquatint. In engraving, a design is cut directly into a metal plate, typically copper or zinc, using a sharp tool called a burin. Etching involves using acid to dissolve parts of a metal plate that have been protected by a resist. Drypoint is similar to engraving but involves scratching the design into the plate with a sharp needle, creating a characteristic soft, fuzzy line. Aquatint is a tonal technique that uses powdered rosin applied to the plate and then heated, creating an even printing surface that can hold ink in a granular way.

After the design is incised or etched into the plate, the surface is inked. The ink is then wiped from the surface, leaving it only in the recessed lines and areas. Dampened paper is then pressed onto the plate under high pressure, forcing the paper into the grooves and picking up the ink. This results in prints with a characteristic raised ink line, which can often be felt by touch. Intaglio printing is known for its ability to produce fine detail and subtle tonal variations.