intaglio

/ɪnˈtæljoʊ/

Other forms: intaglios; intagli

Intaglio is a kind of printmaking in which a carved design is coated with ink and wiped with a cloth; the resulting print comes from ink in the carved grooves.

In intaglio, the shape that ends up printed on paper, cloth, or some other surface is carved out of a metal plate. The plate is either engraved by hand or burned with acid, using a technique called "etching." You can also use the word intaglio to describe a type of sculpture or jewelry making in which designs are etched or engraved. In Italian, intaglio means "engraved work," from intagliare, "to cut in."

Definitions of intaglio

1. noun

   a printing process that uses an etched or engraved plate; the plate is smeared with ink and wiped clean, then the ink left in the recesses makes the print
   synonyms: gravure, intaglio printing

   types:

   photogravure

   printing from an intaglio plate prepared by photographic methods

   rotogravure

   printing by transferring an image from a photogravure plate to a cylinder in a rotary press

   type of:

   printing, printing process

   reproduction by applying ink to paper as for publication
2. noun

   glyptic art consisting of a sunken or depressed engraving or carving on a stone or gem (as opposed to cameo)
   synonyms: diaglyph

   type of:

   glyptic art, glyptography

   carvings or engravings (especially on precious stones)