Which materials can be used as plates for intaglio printing?

In intaglio printing, the design is created by ink held within recessed areas of a plate. A variety of materials can be used as plates for this process, depending on the desired technique and the durability required for printing.

Common materials used for intaglio plates include:

• Metals: Copper is widely considered the best all-around metal for intaglio because of its consistent structure, which is neither too soft nor too hard. Other metals frequently used include zinc, aluminum, and magnesium. Historically, soft iron and steel were also utilized.12
• Other Materials: Beyond metals, artists may use plastics or even coated paper as printing surfaces.23
• Composite Plates: In some methods, such as the metal graphic technique, plates may be constructed as a montage by soldering metal shapes onto a base plate, sometimes incorporating wood or plastics.4

When selecting a material, printmakers must consider the specific requirements of their chosen process. For example, while copper is excellent for drypoint, its burrs are fragile; therefore, artists often use electrolytic means to face the copper with steel to harden the surface for longer print runs. Conversely, zinc and aluminum cannot be steel-faced.5