Intaglio printing is a family of printing and printmaking techniques in which the image is incised into a surface, and the incised line or sunken area holds the ink). It is the opposite of relief printing, where the parts of the matrix that make the image are raised above the surface. The following are the key features of intaglio printing:

• Matrix and Impression: To make a print, an artist creates a design on a flat surface called a matrix. This matrix, which can be a copperplate, stone, or woodblock, is then inked and printed, transferring the design in mirror image onto a sheet of paper. The printed sheet is called an impression. A single matrix can be printed repeatedly to generate multiple impressions.

• Engraving: In engraving, the lines to be printed are cut into a metal plate, such as copper, using a cutting tool called a burin. The artist creates lines by cutting into the copper plate using a tool called a burin.

• Etching: In etching, the plate is pre-covered in a thin, acid-resistant resin or wax ground. The artist then draws the design onto the ground with a needle, exposing the metal underneath. The plate is then immersed in an acid bath, which eats away at the exposed metal, creating grooves that will hold the ink).

• Drypoint: This technique entails cutting a wooden block, leaving a design in relief by gouging away the surrounding areas. Ink is applied only to the raised areas, and the block is then pressed onto paper to create the print.

• Aquatint: Aquatint is a variation of etching that creates areas of tone rather than lines. The plate is covered with a fine layer of resin powder, which is then heated to create a pattern of tiny dots. The plate is then etched, creating areas of tone that will hold the ink).

Intaglio printing is used for creating banknotes, passports, and some postage stamps, among other things). It is a versatile method of printmaking that can produce a wide range of effects.