What is a Print

An Artist’s original print is one where the artist his/herself, or a printer under their supervision, produces each individual print. Engraving, etching, mezzotint, drypoint, linocut, woodcut, lithography are some of the myriad techniques available to an artist printmaker.

Depending on the method used a print run or edition could be up to perhaps 200. This is in contrast to a reprographic print where an artist’s original work is copied and reproduced mechanically with so-called limited editions of 500 or more. The surface of these prints is uniformly smooth and the only original part is the artist’s signature. Due to the time required and the relatively small size of the editions possible an artist’s print will be more expensive than a reprographic print.

Intaglio Printing

Involves the cutting of a metal plate (copper, zinc, steel), Ink is rubbed into the cuts and a heavy roller press is used to force the paper into the grooves so that the ink is picked up.

Etching cuts the metal plate by using acids and drypoint cuts by scratching with a needle. The former removes the metal and gives a clear long-lasting line for large editions, the latter pushes the metal out as a burr making a softer and less persistent line for smaller print runs.

Equipment for intaglio Printing

We have a Rochat etching press suitable for up to A1 paper size and two small mobile etching presses. There is a good selection of etching inks. We use ferric chloride and Edinburgh Etch. Other equipment includes a hot plate, metal cutter, mount cutter, A0 light box, print racks, computer and scanner.

Copper and zinc are available for purchase and we also stock a range of papers at reasonable prices.

Relief Print

There are two main methods of relief printing.

- Woodcut is where the areas of a picture not to be printed are cut out from a wood block leaving a raised area. This is then rolled with ink and transferred (printed) to paper by hand or by using a book press.

- Linocut is where a piece of linoleum is used instead of a block of wood. Each colour has to be printed separately and successively.

 

Equipment for Relief Printing

This photograph shows the Workshop's Imperial Press which is used for woodcuts and linocuts. The maximum size print is 50cms x 40cms. Larger images can be printed on the Book Press which you can see at the bottom right. It can print up to 46cm x 60cms. FDPW has a wide range of rollers.

There is linoleum and Japanese wood available for sale and we have a good selection of oil-based inks. We also stock a range of papers at reasonable prices.

Screenprinting

involves the use of a stencil on a framed mesh screen. The stencil can be made using paper, a liquid filler or photographic emulsion. Where the mesh is not covered ink can be squeezed through using a squeegee onto paper. Numerous stencils can be used successively on one print and edition runs can be quite large. "Screenprints have a characteristic flat surface finish".

Equipment for Screenprinting

The Workshop has two large (66" x 44") screen beds and, as you can see from the photograph, a good range of squeegees. Other equipment includes A0 lightbox, print racks, computer and scanner. A large selection of Lascaux water based inks is supplied. We also stock a range of papers at reasonable prices.

 

Lithography

Lithography means "stone drawing" and was invented in Germany in the late 18th century.

The process is based on the fact that grease and water repel each other. The drawing is made on the stone using a greasy medium and the stone is then "etched" and kept damp. Special greasy ink is rolled over the stone and adheres to the drawing which is printed using a "scraper" printing press.

Lithographs can have many different appearances and are sometimes mistaken for original drawings.

Equipment for Lithography

The Workshop has facilities for stone lithography. There is a selection of variable sized stones for hire, we also stock a range of papers at reasonable prices.