Printmaking History, Processes, and Artists

Some forms of printmaking have been used for hundreds of years to replicate designs and copy images. For example, etching has been used in europe since the 1300's. From the 1800-1900's printmaking was mostly used for advertisements, books, and for newspapers. Printmaking has also been used for t-shirt designs and other clothing designs.


Wood
Woodblock printing uses positive and negative space to determine what the image is. The wood is usually carved or chiseled. The wood block can then be used to print its image onto other surfaces and materials such as fabric.

Fabric
In fabric printmaking there are many ways to transfer images to the fabric. One way is to use a woodblock as I've already explained. Another way is to take a roller with ink and a positive/negative space image and toll it over the fabric to transfer the image.

Metal
Etching has been used for hundreds of years to make images with metal. It is done by taking the surface of some metal, and putting a strong acid on it which will rot away unprotected parts of the metal leaving an etching when it is finished.

Stone
Lithographing allows an artist who doesn't use chisels or carving tools to make a piece of art on stone that can be transfered over to paper or other surfaces. It is done by painting the stone with an oil based greasy substance to whatever design is desired. Next the artist will wet the stone, in this case where he painted will not soak up the water, then he will add ink and press paper to the stone to copy his painting.