Different Types of Antique Prints And Maps And How To Differentiate Them4350123
When we talk about antique prints and maps we are merely talking about historical prints made from books and atlases which have been published over various centuries. These prints are usually made using the ancient printing techniques and coloured utilizing the hand if coloured. They are really treasured and each one appears upon preserving them as they remind us of our history, exactly where we came from, exactly where we are and where we are heading to. We have numerous printing methods where every differs from each other. Individual individuals will have different tastes when it comes to prints, therefore, printing companies came up with distinctive printing techniques. These range from copperplate engravings to woodcuts.
Different Printing Methods
The various printing methods used most times include The Copperplate Engraving Method This is a kind of printing which entails making a print of a design on a hard surface. The process entails first heating a plate with the drawing on it, smearing it with ink and waiting for it to harden. This ink will flow into the finer details, lines and textures of the drawing. The rest of the plate is then cleaned and pressed onto a moistened paper. The ink from the copperplate depressions soak into the paper leaving the press of the drawing. This copperplate engraving technique is tiresome since the engraver needs a lot of strength. It was also very time-consuming and exacting. This method attributes fine lines, soft contrasts and is rich in detail.
Steel Engraving Method
Steel engraving involves the use of a steel base throughout printing rather of a copperplate. This method was used throughout the later centuries in order to print bank notes. The steel block used is smeared with ink, heated and then the impressions are pressed onto paper making a print of the drawing. It replaced the copperplate engraving and proves to be easier, much finer, more detailed and causes much less pressure to create these impressions.
Wood Engraving or Woodcuts
Wood engraving utilizes similar methods as the above techniques, the only difference being that the engraver utilizes a wood block or piece as the base for printing. It produces much thinner lines with dark compositions making the print quite detailed.
