Gravure printing is a printing process. This technique is mainly used in the artistic field, in the field of art graphics. Gravure printing, like other printing processes, has the principle of transferring an image from one medium to another. This carrier or matrix can be engraved in various ways.
DIRECT ENGRAVING
We speak of direct engraving when you intervene by drawing directly on the metal plate. Among the techniques of direct engraving there are:
Dry point: Engraving the plate with a metal point
The graver: Engraving a plate with a point that begins to scratch deep down
Black method: It is a very special technique which is reversed. With a crescent shaped instrument you fill the entire plate with characters, then you work with a teaspoon shaped instrument by applying different pressure to restore the shiny parts.
INDIRECT ENGRAVING
In indirect techniques, instead of being engraved directly, the sheet is processed using acids that work on the surface of the matrix and create different layers of corrosion, so that you can obtain results very similar to painting. This includes:
coloured water
thick water
soft colour
All these techniques, whether direct or indirect, concern only the preparation of the matrix, after which it is necessary to move on to printing.
The matrix must first be dyed with a specific colour, then the excess colour is removed with a gauze. After cleaning, the die is placed on the press holder and covered with a sheet of damp etching paper. Now you can continue printing.
Gravure printing is not widely used for large-scale sales, but it is a niche product mainly used by graphic artists. For commercial purposes it can be used for exclusive gifts for customers in limited editions.