Art 117 Printmaking Vocab

Edition

a number of prints pulled from the same matrix, not counting test prints or artist's proofs

Matrix

the object or material used to hold ink and create a print. A common example is a screen or an etching plate

Squeegee

Rubber or plastic blade used to force ink through the mesh of a screen in screen printing

Intaglio

Method of printing in which ink is forced into incised lines or recessions on a plate, the surface is wiped clean, dampened paper placed on top, and paper and plate run through an etching press to transfer the ink to the paper. Encompasses etching, engraving, aquatint, collagraph, and other techniques

Plate

Matrix that holds the inked design in a variety of printmaking techniques. Usually in intaglio

Brayer

Small hand roller used to spread a film of ink over plates and blocks

Press Bed

Steel or composite slab that carries the inked etching or collagraph plate between the etching press rollers

Artist's Proof

Prints pulled outside of the regular edition. Marked as A/P

Tarlaton

Sheer cotton fabric in plain weave; used as a wiping cloth for etchings and collagraphs.

Relief

Printmaking method in which the inked surface of the block prints and areas or lines that are gouged out do not print. Examples include woodcut, linocut, relief etching, and relief collagraph. Ink is rolled onto the block using a brayer or roller

Stencil

a thin piece of material with cut out shapes through which ink passes to form an image on the surface below. Screen printing is based on this technique

Press

Used to print intaglio and relief prints. Top roller creates pressure and the bed rides on the bottom roller

Press Blankets

Pusher (medium thickness) goes on the top, Cushion (thickest) goes in the middle, Sizing Catcher (thinnest) goes on the bottom

Roller

Similar to brayer but is larger and has handles on both ends. Used to lay down ink on a matrix.

Gouging Tool

this is used to carve an image into a relief block.

Substrate

The material used to print the matrix upon. The most common examples are paper and fabric

Screen

a rectangular aluminum frame with a mesh fabric stretched across it

Ink Spatula

this is used to transfer ink or other fluid materials

Scoop Coater

this is used to coat the screen with screen filler or photo emulsion

Drawing Fluid

A sugar-based liquid used to paint or "draw" an image onto a screen. The areapainted with drawing fluid will print and is called the image area.

Screen Filler

A clay-based liquid used to block or "fill" the mesh fabric of the screen. The area coated with screen filler will not print and is called non-image area.

Transparency

A thin clear plastic film that can be drawn or printed upon with opaque ink or paint. The clear areas of the film allow light to pass through exposing the light sensitive emulsion on the screen. This creates the non-images areas. The opaque areas of the film protect the emulsion from exposure and remain soft and will wash out after exposure. This creates the image area

Photo Emulsion

A light sensitive liquid applied to a screen with a scoop coater and is used to create a stencil from a transparency