VINTAGE AMERICAN BANK NOTE Co. ENGRAVING INTAGLIO: ARMS OF MASSACHUSETTS

58mm H

51mm W

Intaglio (pronounced in-TAL-yo) is a family of printmaking techniques in which the image is incised into a surface, known as the matrix or plate. Normally, coppeer or zinc plates are used as a surface, and the incisions are created by etching, engraving, drypoint, aquatint or mezzotint. Collograpah may also be printed as intaglio plates. To print an intaglio plate, ink is applied to the surface and then rubbed with tarlatan cloth to remove most of the excess. The final smooth wipe is often done with paper or cloth, leaving ink only in the incisions. A damp piece of paper is placed on top and the plate and paper are run through a printing press that, through pressure, transfers the ink from the recesses of the plate to the paper. Intaglio engraving is largely used for currency, banknotes, passports and occasionally for high-value postage stamps.

People have used intaglio printing techniques for hundreds of years; some early examples of intaglio printing include playing cards made in Germany in the 1430s using drypoint. Several types of intaglio printing include etching, drypoint, engraving, aquatint and mezzotint.