Art teacher

Rocio Toral
International Art
Printmaking Project Studio

Vocabulary:
matrix:
A matrix is an object upon which a design has been formed and which is then used to
make an impression on a piece of paper, thus creating a print. A {wood} block, {metal}
plate, or {lithographic} stone can be used as a matrix.

Linoleum Lithographic
Wood stones
Cardboard
Copper

brayer: a hand roller used for applying ink to a surface. Often made of leather, synthetic
or rubber the roller surface is made in a variety of hardnesses for ease in applying the ink.

burin: (graver) engraving tool used on metal or wood with a hardened steel shaft with a
cutting end in the shape of a square or lozenge. Handle on the shaft is usually made of
wood and fits into the palm of the hand.

gouge: a cutting tool in relief printmaking used to remove non-image areas. Gouges can
be C, U, or V shaped.
edition: a set of prints with similar or identical qualities that have been made from the
same plate(s), on the same paper with the same ink. The prints in an edition are approved
by the artist, printer or owner of the plate(s). There can be more than one edition of an
image.

etching press: an intaglio printing press comprised of a flat moving bed covered with
multiple layers of felt that passes through two cylinders, one which can be raised and
lowered to increased or decrease the pressure.

four plate process: (process printing) color print method that utilizes four different
plates, each with a different color. These plates are the key or black plate, the yellow
plate, the red (magenta) plate and the blue (cyan)plate. The combination of the different
colored inks allows for the full range of colors in the final print.
impression: (print) the image created when a plate or stone (intaglio, relief, lithography)
is inked and pressure is applied (often with a printing press) to transfer the image to a
piece of paper or other substance. An impression may also be created by forcing ink
through a stencil or stencils onto a piece of paper or other substance in serigraphy.
monoprint: a unique print pulled from a plate that already has an image incised into it, in
contrast to a monotype where the surface is unworked.
monotype: a unique print pulled from an unworked glass or metal plate that has been
painted upon using inks and solvents. This method was a favorite of Edgar Degas.
proof: a print that shows the progress an artist is making in the development of the final
image.
reduction block print: relief color technique in which one block is used for all colors.
The lightest color is printed first and the print area to remain that color is physically
removed from the block. Subsequent colors from lightest to darkest are printed and the
relevant areas removed after each color.
register marks: the marks that are placed on paper, press bed and even the print plate to
aid in lining up the paper in the printing process.

Blue tape
marks