mélynyomó

A mélynyomó, also known as a "deep press" in English, is a type of printing technology. It is characterized by a process where the ink is held in recessed areas on the printing plate. These recessed areas are then filled with ink, and any excess ink is wiped away. The paper or substrate is then pressed against the plate, transferring the ink from the recessed areas onto the surface. This results in a raised, tactile print.

The most common and well-known form of mélynyomó is intaglio printing, which includes techniques like engraving and etching. In engraving, the image is cut directly into a metal plate using a tool. In etching, the plate is coated with a protective layer, and the design is scratched through this layer. The plate is then immersed in an acid bath, which eats away at the exposed metal, creating the recessed areas. Gravure printing, often used for high-volume printing like magazines and packaging, is another example of mélynyomó.

The key advantage of mélynyomó is its ability to produce very fine detail and smooth tonal gradations, often resulting in high-quality images. The ink layer can also be thicker than in other printing methods, contributing to the raised texture and rich appearance of the printed image. Historically, mélynyomó was extensively used for producing banknotes, stamps, and fine art prints due to its security features and aesthetic qualities. Today, while digital printing has become more prevalent, mélynyomó remains important for specific applications requiring its unique characteristics.