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Glite Dictionary
intaglio printing

intaglio printing

8.5
A printing method where an image is cut into a metal plate and the cuts hold ink to make prints
  • noun
  • /ɪnˈtæɡlioʊ ˈprɪntɪŋ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : impresión en intaglio
  • A U.S. treasury intaglio printing press.

Examples

  • In the intaglio printing process, ink is applied to a plate so that it remains only in the engraved areas.

  • Intaglio printing or gravure.

    Academic text (2001)

  • Intaglio printing can achieve effects ranging from crisp, clear lines to large areas of deep, velvety blacks.

  • Congress standardized U.S. bills in 1863, incorporating deterrents such as the seal of the Treasury Department and fine-line intaglio printing.

Synonyms

intaglio
vsintaglio printing
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A way of making prints where carved lines hold the ink

is the phrase that names this printing technique rather than the single-word form
gravure
vsintaglio printing
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A printing method using a metal plate cut to make rich, detailed pictures

focuses on the general technique of cutting images so incised areas hold ink

Surface Forms

intaglio printing singular
intaglio printings plural

Morphology

intaglio + printing

The phrase names a type of printing built directly from its parts: 'intaglio' (the specific technique involving incised, ink-holding plates) + 'printing' (the process of transferring ink to paper). A learner who knows both constituent meanings can readily infer that 'intaglio printing' refers to printing done by the intaglio method, so the compound is compositional and transparent.

Etymology

The term intaglio printing comes from the Italian word intaglio, which means 'to cut into'. In this method an artist cuts lines into a metal plate and those cuts hold the ink to make the print, so the name describes how the image is made.