PRINTMAKING
Printmaking is the process of
creating duplicates of an image.
The process involves creating a
plate on which the image is drawn,
carved, etched, built, or painted.
The image is then transferred by
inking the plate and pressing on to
another surface.
HISTORY OF PRINTMAKING
 Originally NOT an art form- just form of communication
 Prehistoric Era - Engravings found on stones, bones and cave walls.
 2nd century AD- Chinese produced rubbings, as far back as the 2nd
century AD.
 Mid-late 8th century - Japanese made first authenticated prints,
wood-block rubbings of Buddhist charms
 Early 15th century - First woodcuts printed on paper (German
playing cards). First royal seals and stamps appeared in England
for Henry VI.
 Mid 15th century - Metal engravings introduced and became more
refined.
 Dürer- major influence on printmaking, famous for wood engravings
and etching in Renaissance Europe.
 Mid 1600’s – early 1700’s - Master woodcutter, Katsushika Hokusai,
produced 35,000 drawings and prints
PRINTMAKING METHODS
Relief printing
Intaglio printing
Planographic
Stencil
MORE ABOUT
PRINTMAKING
http://www.eyeconart.net/history/printmaki
ng.htm
RELIEF PRINTING
Relief printing is where a plate
has multiple levels and the areas
gouged or carved out remain
uninked. Examples are: woodcut,
linoleum block.
EXAMPLE OF RELIEF WOODCUT
PRINT (The Wave by Hokusai)
Another woodcut relief print
Chuck Close – Thumbprint Portrait
Linoleum block relief print
by Elizabeth Catlett
LINOLEUM BLOCK RELIEF PRINT
by M.C. Escher
INTAGLIO PRINTING
Intaglio printing is where a plate has
multiple levels and the areas gouged or
carved out receive the ink and transfer it.
(Opposite of relief printing). Examples are
etchings, engravings, and block prints that
are inked properly and run through a
press.
INTAGLIO PRINT EXAMPLE
BY Albrect Durer St. Jerome
PLANOGRAPHIC PRINTING
Process of printing where a
detailed drawing may be
completed on limestone. The
process involves wax repelling
ink. Prints what is on the surface
of the plate. Lithography is an
example.
LITHOGRAPHY PRINT EXAMPLE
by M.C. Escher
LITHOGRAPHY PRINT EXAMPLE by
Wayne Thiebaud
STENCIL PRINTING
A method of printing where open areas of
a stencil or screen are printed. An
example is silk screen printing. A separate
screen is prepared for the printing of each
color in a design. T-shirt designs are a
common example of silk screen prints.
Example of Silk Screen Print
 http://webexhibits.org/colorart/marilyns.html
STENCIL PRINT EXAMPLE
Adinkra
-Symbols for proverbs, sayings, attitudes, religious beliefs and
social thoughts of some West African Societies.
-Originated in 17th century in West Africa among Ashanti and
Gyaman people of Ghana
-War in 1818 between Kofi Adinkra and the Ashanti King because
King Adinkra made a replica of the very symbolic and sacred
Golden Stool, which enraged Nana Osei Bonsu-Panyin.
-War led to beheading of King Adinkra.
-Decorated fabric that Adinkra wore in the last battle was taken by
the Ashanti as a trophy.
Adinkra (cont.)
 Symbols on the fabric took the name of the beheaded King Adinkra.
 Clothes adorned with Adinkra symbols were only worn by royalty
and spiritual leaders during sacred ceremonies and rituals.
 Root meaning of the term Adinkra is “farewell”
 Symbols worn on the mourner's clothing usually expressed qualities
attributed to the deceased.
 Printing adinkra motifs is presently among the highest valued handprinting and hand-embroidered works on cloth.
 Adinkra symbols have grown worldwide, inspiring works of art in
Jewelry, sculpture, interior decoration and design (including
company logos).
Relief print – Adinkra cloth