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A print is in essence a copy of an original piece. Before the ability to produce prints became available, only the wealthy could afford to have images or the original work. For this reason, prints have helped education and literacy substantially grow.

The first prints were made in the 1400s. About the same time that woodcuts were beginning to be used, other artists began engraving metal to make prints. Woodcuts and metal engravings were both carved into blocks of wood.

Woodcutting is the first known method of printmaking. An image is carved into a block of wood for purposes of stamping. The block then gets pressed into the ink and placed on material to be printed. The carved part does not hold ink.

Engraving involves applying a design on to a hard, flat surface, by placing grooves into it. Engraving is also often used for decorating. Engraving is used to provide printing on a plate of copper or other metal and for printing pages on paper.

Historically, engraving was an important way to produce images on paper for use as illustrations in books and magazines or for printmaking by artists. Today, etching and other techniques have practically replaced engraving since engraving is somewhat difficult to learn.

Some noted engravers include William Blake, Stanley William Hayter, Jan Saenredam, and Maerten de Vos.

Etching is the process of making pictures or designs on glass, a metal plate, or similar material, using an acid. Many artists use etching that involves a special needle to scratch through a metal block. Under the glass is a picture made up of fine lines. To distinguish between an etching and an engraving you can look at the etched line which is placed into the plate by acid, causing a straight down through the lines. The line that is produced has a corroded edge, resulting in a V-shaped groove, producing a line that is harder in appearance.

Lithography is a process of making lithographs. Lithography was the first chemical process used for printmaking. Lithographs were traditionally made with chemical washes, oil-based ink, and a press. Lithographs can be printed on any kind of paper or cloth.

The steps to create a lithograph are as follows:

1. An image is drawn on limestone using an oil based crayon or ink.
2. A chemical solution is applied to make the ink stand out. Oil and water do not mix; therefore, the blank areas repel the ink.
3. A turpentine wash and water are applied.
4. Ink is then applied with a roller and paper is placed on top.
5. The limestone is then put through a lithographic press.

Lithographs are recognized fairly easy. The print of a lithograph has a flat surface and looks similar to a pencil or crayon drawing. The crumbled appearance under the glass is one of the main features of lithography.

Lithographs were popular among artists in the 1870s as a way to create limited edition prints of their work and sell them. Some of the artists that used lithographs were Manet, Toulouse-Lautrec, Degas, M.C. Escher, Jasper Johns, and David Hockney.

The process of screenprinting involves first cutting a stencil and placing it on a mesh screen, with the paper that will be used to print on placed underneath. A squeegee tool is used to distribute ink over the image and then the image is transferred onto the paper.

Mezzotint is a method of engraving on copper or steel by scraping away or burnishing a roughened surface. The surface is made rough by using thousands of little dots made with a metal tool that has small teeth. This process produces a high-level quality and richness of the print.

The mezzotint printing method was invented by a German artist named Ludwig von Siegen. Ludwig's earliest print was a portrait of Amelia Elizabeth, Landgravine of Hesse-Kassel, in 1642. Prince Rupert of the Rhine and Sir Peter Lely also used mezzotint.

Aquatint is an intaglio printmaking technique that makes marks on the matrix. The inked plate is passed through a printing press with a sheet of paper, creating a transfer of the ink to the paper. There are some ways that aquatint is similar to etching; they both use acid to make marks onto a metal plate. Etching uses a needle to make the lines that print in black; aquatint uses powered resin.

Aquatint uses a method that applies a ground by liquifying powdered resin or applying the powder to the surface of the plate, or by using liquid acrylic. The next step is heating the plate. The artist then etches an outline of the parts of the drawing that he wants to establish with a line.

Some famous artists that have experimented with aquatint printmaking include Francisco Goya, Los Desastres de la Guerra, and Disparates.

It is not that easy to tell the difference between a mezzotint and aquatint at first. Both have a similar ground appearance and both use a copper plate as the base. Mezzotint prints have the picture scraped on, while Aquatint's picture is etched in. You may have to use a magnifying glass to see these tiny details. The mezzotint surface shows marks of the teeth on the copper plate, while the aquatint has a granulated appearance.

Drypoint prints are ones in which images are cut into a plate with a needle of sharp or diamond point. An artist that is experienced in drawing usually finds it easier to drypoint instead of engrave.

Looking for a rare piece of antique print is part of the fun. Museums, libraries, and galleries often specialize in old prints. Reading reference books about areas or artists that you like is recommended. You could first buy an inexpensive print to start your collection. You will want to examine the feel and the look of an old print. Look for signs of hand printing such as the impression from the printing press, signs of age, and the texture and quality of the paper. If you hold the print up to a bright light, you can look for a watermark in the paper.

The history and art of antique prints are both very fascinating. Printmaking dates back to the 1400s. We would not have the books, education, or art that we enjoy today without antique printmaking.