In this process, the design is etched or engraved into a metal plate or cylinder. Heavy pressure forces stiff ink into the recessed lines, and a doctor blade or wiping system cleans the non-image surface. When paper is pressed against the plate, it draws the ink out of the grooves, leaving a slightly raised, tactile image characteristic of fine stationery and currency printing.
You can feel the raised lettering on the wedding invitation because it was printed using a traditional intaglio process.
Do not mix it up with
- Letterpress: Letterpress prints from raised surfaces, whereas intaglio prints from sunken grooves.
Related terms
Gravure
An intaglio printing process that transfers ink from microscopic cells engraved into a rotating cylinder.
Doctor blade
A thin strip of metal or plastic that scrapes excess ink from the surface of a printing cylinder.
Reverse intaglio
A printing or engraving technique where a design is carved into the back of a transparent material.