Glossary
Printmaking and its processes have a range of particular technical terms, sometimes in complex combinations. In order to help you easily understand the vocabulary of printmaking and the interactions between the different techniques, Galerie Arenthon offers this glossary of the main notions related to printmaking.
Event
One of the prints made by the artist at the end of the engraving process.
Artist's proof
Unnumbered prints for the artist himself.
Test test
First print made to get an idea of the final print.
All work that results from an etching process.
Engraving
Artistic method of cutting a surface to make a printing support.
Interpretive lithography
Lithography of a work with the artist's permission.
Offset lithography
Industrial lithographic printing technique.
Biting
Acid in which the plate is immersed to be hollowed out by means of a chemical reaction.
Matrix
Plate that serves as a support for the artist's drawing.
Numbering
Number of the event in relation to the total number of events in the form XX / XX.
Plate
Material which serves as an engraving support. The plate can be made of zinc, wood, copper...
Press
Apparatus for printing the pattern of the inked plate on paper
Lithographic stone
Limestone on which the pattern is drawn in a lithograph.
On Rives, on Arches, etc.
Refers to the type of paper on which the print is printed.
Intaglio
Intaglio etching process in which the ink is deposited in the grooves previously dug in the plate.
Savings size
Bump etching method in which ink is deposited on the surface of the plate
Direct size
Engraving technique where the plate is incised by the engraver's hand, using a tool such as a chisel.
Indirect size
Engraving technique in which the plate is incised by the action of an acid, the mordant, in which it has been bathed.
Print run
Close to the term proof, refers to the result of an engraving print.