Woodblock printing was the first major printing technique, originating in China before 220 AD. It involved carving characters or images in relief on wooden blocks to create prints. Movable type was later invented in China around 1040 AD, allowing for quicker page setting than woodblock printing. The printing press was invented around 1440 and was a major breakthrough, allowing for widespread printing of texts. Various intaglio printmaking techniques like etching, mezzotint and aquatint were developed, using acid or tools to cut into metal plates to create detailed prints. Lithography, invented in 1796, was based on the repulsion of oil and water and allowed for printing from stone or metal plates. Chromolithography,
2. Woodblock printing
• The first ever printing technique for print text was mostly used in East Asia and originating
in China. The earliest surviving examples from China date to before 220 AD. East Asian
method of printing books and other texts, as well as images, until the 19th century. To
make woodblock printing you have to carefully prepared as a relief pattern, which means
the areas to show 'white' are cut away with a knife, chisel, or sandpaper leaving the
characters or image to show in 'black' at the original surface level. The block was cut along
the grain of the wood. It is necessary only to ink the block and bring it into firm and even
contact with the paper or cloth to achieve an acceptable print.
3. Movable type
• After woodblock printing technique, the movable type, system and technology of printing
and typography was invented. The world's first movable type printing press technology for
printing paper books was made of ceramic porcelain china materials and invented in
ancient China around AD 1040. For alphabetic scripts, movable-type page setting was
quicker than woodblock printing. The metal type pieces were more durable and the
lettering was more uniform, leading to typography and fonts.
4. Printing press
• After movable type, the printing press was invented. A printing press
is a device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a
print medium, thereby transferring the ink. The printing press was
invented around 1440. Typically used for texts, the invention and
spread of the printing press was one of the most influential events.
5. Etching
• Etching is traditionally the process of using strong acid or mordant to cut into the
unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in intaglio in the metal.
As a method of printmaking, it is the most important technique for old master
prints. In traditional pure etching, a metal plate is covered with a waxy ground
which is resistant to acid. The artist then scratches off the ground with a pointed
etching needle where he or she wants a line to appear in the finished piece, so
exposing the bare metal.
6. Mezzotint
• Mezzotint is a printmaking process. it was the first tonal method to
be used. Mezzotint achieves tonality by roughening the plate with
thousands of little dots made by a metal tool with small teeth. In
printing, the tiny pits in the plate hold the ink when the face of the
plate is wiped clean. A high level of quality in the print can be
achieved. The mezzotint printmaking method was invented in 1609–
c 1680.
7. Aquatint
• Aquatint is an intaglio printmaking technique, a variant of etching. In intaglio printmaking,
the artist makes marks on the plate that are capable of holding ink. The inked plate is
passed through a printing press together with a sheet of paper, resulting in a transfer of
the ink to the paper. This can be repeated a number of times, depending on the particular
technique. Like etching, aquatint uses the application of a mordant to etch into the metal
plate. The painter and printmaker invented, around 1650.
8. Lithography
• Lithography is a method of printing originally based on the
immiscibility of oil and water. The printing is from a stone or a metal
plate with a smooth surface. It was invented in 1796. Lithography
can be used to print text or artwork onto paper or other suitable
material.
9. Chromolithography
• Chromolithography is a method for making multi-colour prints. This
type of colour printing stemmed from the process of lithography, and
it includes all types of lithography that are printed in colour. When
chromolithography is used to reproduce photographs.
Chromolithography developed by the 19th century
10. Chromolithography
• Chromolithography is a method for making multi-colour prints. This
type of colour printing stemmed from the process of lithography, and
it includes all types of lithography that are printed in colour. When
chromolithography is used to reproduce photographs.
Chromolithography developed by the 19th century