A technical dictionary of printmaking, André Béguin.
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intaglio engraving
Reproductive processes are described and categorized in terms of where the ink is laid on the printing element. Intaglio engraving is one of the four basic types of print reproduction, the other three being relief work (woodcuts, linocuts, typography, block printing, halftones), planographic work (lithography, offset, phototype), and stencil (stencils, serigraphy).
Intaglio engraving, which began in the 15th century, incorporates all of the "taille-douce" processes such as artistic line engraving, industrial engraving, etching, the various manners (mezzotint, crayon, etc.) aquatint, photogravure (both grain and screen processes), and woodcut [line engraving]
Intaglio engraving is, without a doubt, the most subtle reproductive technique used in printmaking because the inked surfaces can be infinetly small and much more precise than in other reproductive techniques.
The intaglio areas can be made using a cutting tool or by chemical means using a mordant. Both techniques generally use metal plates. A characteristic of intaglio plate printing is that the inking phase must be followed up by a wiping.
[engraving, printing, taille-douce]
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