trykketrycka

Trykketrycka is a term used in some Scandinavian contexts to describe the practice of creating prints by transferring ink to a substrate through the application of pressure. The phrase highlights the central role of pressure in the printmaking process, distinguishing it from other methods of image reproduction that rely on different transfer mechanisms.

Historically, printmaking in Europe developed from techniques such as woodcut and metal engraving, with presses and studios evolving over several centuries. In contemporary Scandinavia, the concept of trykketrycka encompasses a range of traditional and modern practices used by artists, publishers, and educational institutions to produce multiple impressions from a single matrix. The term can be applied to both fine art printmaking and the reproduction of images in publishing.

Techniques commonly associated with trykketrycka include relief printing (woodcut, linocut), intaglio (etching, engraving, aquatint), lithography, and screen printing (serigraphy). In practice, practitioners select a matrix or template, apply ink to its surface, place paper or another substrate over it, and apply controlled pressure—using a press or hand tools—to transfer the image. Editions are typically limited, and prints may be signed and numbered by the artist.

Materials and equipment involved range from matrices (wood blocks, metal plates, stone, screens) and printing inks to papers of various weights and textures, as well as presses or pressure devices. The choice of technique affects line quality, tonal range, and texture, influencing the final appearance of the print.

See also: printmaking, relief printing, intaglio, lithography, serigraphy.