A
Artists Book
With artists books, the book IS the art. An artist may focus on the principles and elements of art through the
conceptual content of a traditionally bound book or primarily address the sculptural form. Though some books
may convey specific information, their visual or tactil aspect are key. top of page
B
C
D
Discharge
Discharge images are created by controlled removal of color from a dyed fabric. This process usually uses a
chemical that bleaches the color when heat is applied. Varing heat application result in varing degrees of
intensity. top of page
Dye
E
Embroidery
Embroidery refers to multiple handmade decorative stitches. They may be stitched on one layer of fabric or
multiple layers. Some embroidery incorporates beads, shells, & mirrors. top of page
Etching
In etching, the design is drawn directly onto a metal plate that has been covered with an acid-resistant coating.
The plate is immersed in an acid bath that creates a depression in the drawing area where the plate was
exposed to the acid. The plate is then wiped clean, inked and wiped again, leaving the depressed lines filled
with ink. The image is transferred to damp paper when under the pressure of a press. The paper absorbs the ink
form the crevices of the plate. top of page
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
Letterpress
Linocut
A relief print method in which a design is carved out of a thin layer of linoleum and mounted on a block of
wood. Ink is applied to the image in relief and printed directly on the paper. top of page
Lithograph
The Lithograph image is drawn on a flat surface, usually limestone or a metal plate. The traditional drawing
media are greasy crayons or lithographic tusche, a greasy substance that comes in liquid or solid sticks. The
stone is then treated with chemicals that set the marked areas into the stone. When the stone is inked, the
marked areas accept the ink and the unmarked areas reject it. A print is made when paper is placed on top
of the stone and pressed. The print is a mirror image of the original image. Color lithography requires a
seperate stone for each color. top of page
M
Mache
Mezzotint
Mezzotints are created by roughing the surface of a copperplate with a grooved blade called a rocker.
Then a burnisher is used to go back and create smooth surfaces in select areas. The plate is then wiped with
ink, only the grooved areas, not the burnished area, will print. Mezzotint is recognized for it's rich, dense areas
of color and soft lines. The concept is similar to eraser drawings. By re-inking and running the plate through an
etching press, multiple prints can be pulled. When the burr of the grooves wear down, the plate must be
reworked with the rocker. top of page
Monoprint
Monoprint designates a unique printing from a plate that has been carved or worked. Eventhough the plate
remains constant, each print can be altered by coloring the paper before or after printing, adding color directly
to the plate, collage, or other methods, resulting in a varied outcome for each print. top of page
Monotype
The image is painted directly onto a smooth, unworked surface containing no scratching or carving. The
medium is applied swiftly to prevent drying. The image is then transferred to paper through a press or hand
rubbing. A montype is a singular image and cannot be replicated. top of page
N
O
Offset Lithography
The offset lithograph is based on the same principles as the lithograph. However, with the offset process, the
inked image is transferred onto a rubber roller. The roller then transfers the image directly onto the paper. The
print is a true image of the original image. The process of offset lithography is used often in mass produciton,
such as posters. top of page
P
Pigment
Puzzle Print
Puzzle Prints are created by cutting multiple shapes out of a block of wood to fit together like a puzzle. When
the individual pieces of the "puzzle" are inked and placed together they create an image that can be printed
on the press. The paper color will show through as lines between the individual pieces resulting in a segmented
image similar to stain glass. top of page
Q
Quilt
Quilting is the act of stitching multiple layers of fabric or paper together for warmth, decoration, or
reinforcement. There are traditionally three layers of a quilt. These layers are comprised of the surface/top layer,
the batting/wadding (this center is unseen in the finished product), and the backing. The terms piecing and
quilting are often confused. Piecing refers to the stitching together of small "pieces" to create a single larger
surface that may then be quilted. top of page
R
Relief Print
The relief print occurs when the raised surface of a carving are inked and transferred to another surface.
Different forms of relief printing include, Linocut, Woodblock, and Rubber Stamp. top of page
Reduction Print
Reduction prints are essentially color relief. They build up color as elements from the pritning matrix are
strategically removed and printed. The new exposed areas from each printing allow for the previous color
to show through. This form of printing is limited to the edition of the original matrix, as the block is destroyed
during the process. top of page
Resist Dye
Resist dying is used to pattern yarn or fabric by protecting selected areas from dye. Patterns can be created
through the application of substances such as wax, paste, & mud; as well as physically manipulating the cloth
with stitches, knots, folds, or wrapped string. Typical processes are ikat, batik, katazome, and shibori.
top of page
S
Serigraph / Silkscreen
The silkscreen print is based on the concept of the stencil. Using silk or another material stretched over a
frame, the image is blocked out using some stenciling material that covers the negative areas and leaves
the areas to be printed exposed. Ink is then applied with a squeegee, a tool that forces the ink through the
exposed fabric onto the paper. Each color requires a seperate screen. top of page
T
U
V
Viscosity Roll
W
Woodcut
The woodcut image is derived from a carved wooden block. The background area, or negative space, is
carved away, leaving the image in relief. The raised surface is inked and transferred to paper by press or
hand rubbing. top of page
X
Xerox Transfer / Paper Lithography
Y
Z
Sources for glossary definitions include:
Successions: Prints by African American Artists from the Jean & Robert Steele Collection, The Art Gallery/University of Maryland, 2002
