A technical dictionary of printmaking, André Béguin.
Back to Main Page of the "Printmaking dictionary"
Compression Engraving
This technique was used in the 19th century to do intagho work using punches on soft metal such as pewter. It was used above all to engrave plates to print music. The various punches (as required by the different notes) being hammered into the plate one by one. A variant of this system was to use red hot punches to engrave on wood blocks . Compression engraving which leaves an intagho impression on the plate, must not be confused with the punch and hammer (gravure au maillet) engraving technique which results in little holes dotting the plate. The latter technique uses a short and sharp punch* (the opus mallei of the Middle Ages) to produce dotted* work. [dotted manner, engraver's hammer , opus, punch, punch engraving].
Back to Main Page of the "Printmaking dictionary"