Giclée printing: Giclée printing is a high-quality digital printing method, often used for fine art reproduction, that utilizes specialized inkjet printers to spray pigment-based inks onto paper or canvas. Giclée is a French term meaning “to spray”, referring to how an inkjet printer works and how giclee prints are usually produced. These large format inkjet printers use small spraying devices that can both match colour and apply ink precisely, giving artists a high-quality print of their original art. With proper care, giclée prints can last for many years, sometimes even a century or more, without significant fading or deterioration.
Another type of giclée printing is embellished giclée printing and is a fine art created using the giclée printing method, but with additional hand-applied artistic elements, such as paint, ink, or texture, to enhance its appearance and make it unique.
Silkscreen printing: Also known as screen printing or serigraphy, is a printing technique that uses a mesh screen to transfer ink onto a substrate, creating a stencil-based design. A stencil is created on a mesh screen, and ink is pushed through the open areas of the stencil onto the desired material, such as fabric, paper, or other surfaces.
The screen is typically made of a fine mesh (originally silk, hence the name, but now often synthetic materials like polyester) stretched tightly over a frame. A stencil is created on the screen, blocking certain areas where ink should not pass through. This stencil can be created using various methods, including masking tape, vinyl, or light-sensitive emulsions. Ink is applied to the screen, and a squeegee is used to push the ink through the open areas of the stencil onto the material beneath.
For designs with multiple colours, a separate screen is needed for each colour, and the process is repeated for each layer. Silkscreen printing is valued for its versatility and ability to produce vibrant, durable prints on a variety of materials.
Lithography: Lithography is a planographic printmaking process in which a design is drawn onto a flat stone (or prepared metal plate, usually zinc or aluminium) and affixed by means of a chemical reaction. It involves drawing or applying a greasy substance onto a flat surface (traditionally a stone, but also metal plates), then treating the surface to repel ink in non-image areas. When ink is applied, it adheres only to the greasy areas, and the image is transferred to paper through pressure.
The surface is traditionally a flat stone (limestone) that was used, but modern lithography also utilizes metal plates (zinc or aluminium). An image is created on the surface using a greasy material like a crayon or ink. The surface is then treated with a chemical solution (like gum arabic and a mild acid). This solution fixes the greasy image and makes the blank areas of the surface receptive to water and repellent to ink. The surface is dampened with water. The water is repelled by the greasy image but adheres to the blank areas. Ink is then applied, which sticks only to the greasy image areas. Printing: paper is placed on the inked surface and pressed against it, transferring the image.
;
Engraving and etching: These are both methods of creating designs or images on a hard surface, but they differ in their techniques. Engraving is a physical process where a tool is used to cut or carve into the material. Etching, on the other hand, is a chemical process where acid or another corrosive substance is used to eat away at the material. In essence, engraving is carving, while etching is “burning” with chemicals.
Engraving involves using a sharp, hand-held tool (like a burin) or a machine to cut directly into the surface. This creates lines and designs by removing material and is suitable for various materials like metal, wood, glass, and plastic. It produces a durable and often deep impression.
Etching involves applying an acid-resistant coating (resist) to the material and then exposing areas to be etched by removing the resist. The exposed areas are then corroded by acid, creating the design. This is often used on metal, especially for printmaking and creating detailed images and can produce fine lines and tonal variations.
Woodcut printing: A woodcut print is a relief printmaking technique where an image is carved into the surface of a wooden block, leaving the design’s lines raised. Ink is applied to these raised areas, and then transferred to paper by pressing the block against it, creating the print. Areas that are cut away do not receive ink and remain blank on the printed image. Woodcuts are known for their distinct grain patterns, which can be incorporated into the artwork, and for their strong, bold lines.
An artist carves away the non-printing parts of the design using tools like gouges and knives, leaving the desired image raised. Ink is then applied to the raised surface of the block, usually with a roller. Paper is placed on top of the inked block and pressure is applied, either by hand or through a press, to transfer the ink to the paper. Materials like softwoods like pear, cherry, or maple are commonly used for woodcut blocks, as they are easier to carve.