criblé

printmaking

Also known as: dotted manner, dotted print, manière criblée

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June 17, 2026

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The term "criblé" refers to a printmaking technique, specifically a type of dotted print. It is characterized by a background pattern of small round holes or dots, creating a fine, lacelike design against a dark background.123

Historically, criblé was a technique used by goldsmiths long before engraving for printing on paper became common. It involved dotting a metal plate with various tools, such as a hand punch, hammer, or a serrated matting punch. Criblé plates were relief printed, similar to woodcuts. The term "criblé" itself comes from the French word for sieve, reflecting the dotted appearance of the print.23

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printmaking
Dotted print (criblé)
A traditional technique of the goldsmith long before engraving for printing purposes was developed, criblé was also used to make the earliest metal prints on paper. Criblé was a method of dotting the plate with a hand punch; with punch and hammer; with a…
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A traditional technique of the goldsmith long before engraving for printing purposes was developed, criblé was also used to make the earliest metal prints on paper. Criblé was a method of dotting the plate with a hand punch; with punch and hammer; with a…
Read More

metal cut
…technique called dotted manner, or manière criblée, from its characteristic use of dots to form the design. Perhaps the most original use of the metal cut was that of the English poet and artist William Blake (1757–1827).
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…technique called dotted manner, or manière criblée, from its characteristic use of dots to form the design. Perhaps the most original use of the metal cut was that of the English poet and artist William Blake (1757–1827).
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printmaking
Germany
The first metal prints (criblé, or dotted, print) were made in the second half of the 15th century. The design was created by tiny dots punched into the metal and intermingled with short cuts. Surface printed, the whites are the positive part of the design, which is dominated by…
Read More
The first metal prints (criblé, or dotted, print) were made in the second half of the 15th century. The design was created by tiny dots punched into the metal and intermingled with short cuts. Surface printed, the whites are the positive part of the design, which is dominated by…
Read More