Reverse intaglio involves cutting or impressing a design into the reverse side of a clear substrate, such as glass or acrylic, rather than the front surface. When viewed from the smooth front, the recessed image appears three-dimensional and is protected from wear. The recessed areas are often filled with ink or paint to make the design stand out.
Heard on the job
We're using reverse intaglio on the acrylic awards so the text doesn't scratch off during handling.
Do not mix it up with
- Intaglio: Intaglio cuts into the front surface to hold ink for transfer, while reverse intaglio cuts into the back of a clear material to be viewed through the front.
Related terms
Intaglio
A printing method where the image is incised into a surface and holds the ink below the plate level.
Engraving
An intaglio printing process where an image is incised into a metal plate.
Reverse out
To print the background with ink while leaving the text or design as the unprinted color of the paper.