gravuredruk

Gravuredruk, also known as gravure printing or intaglio printing, is a method of producing images by engraving or etching a metal surface so that recessed areas hold ink. The plate or cylinder is inked, and the surface is wiped clean so only the ink in the recessed cells remains. When paper is pressed against the surface with high pressure, the ink is transferred from the cells to the paper, creating fine lines, tonal gradations, and continuous tones.

The technique encompasses several processes. Engraving uses sharp tools to cut lines directly into the metal. Etching employs acid to bite lines into a prepared plate. Aquatint and mezzotint create tonal areas by layering or roughening the plate. Photogravure or photoengraving transfers a photographic image onto a plate using light-sensitive materials. In rotogravure, a cylinder is engraved with a pattern of tiny cells of varying depth to hold ink, enabling high-volume, high-speed printing with excellent tonal range.

Typical steps in gravuredruk include image preparation, preparing and engraving the plate or cylinder, inking and wiping the surface, and transferring the ink to paper under substantial pressure. For rotogravure, long rolls of paper (webs) move through a press, allowing continuous production, which is why gravure is widely used in magazines, catalogs, packaging, and wallpaper.

Materials commonly used are copper or zinc plates for flat printing and steel cylinders for rotogravure, with oil-based inks and specialized presses. The method is valued for high image fidelity, tonal richness, and repeatable color quality, especially in high-volume applications, though it requires specialized equipment and expertise.