Aquatint: an intaglio process in which a resin powder or granules are applied to a heated plate to produce a tone or texture.

Artist's Proof: a small number of prints set aside from an edition by the artist usually marked as "A/P" and sometimes numbered. Artist's Proofs are normally limited to no more than 5% of the edition size.

Bleed: a print in which the image extends all the way to one or more edges of the paper on which it is printed. A full bleed print would extend to all four edges.

Cancellation Proof: a print pulled by the artist after the plate from which the edition has been printed has been defaced to ensure that no additional prints can be made.

Chine Colle': a technique in which a thin sheet of paper has been permanently adhered to the surface of the print while it is passed through the press.

Collograph: print made from a printing matrix made up of varying layers of cardboard, paper and/or other flat materials.

Drypoint: an intaglio technique in which a sharp needle is used to scratch the surface of the plate which leaves a burr that produces a softer line than either an engraving or intaglio print.

Edition: a set of identical prints , usually numbered and signed, pulled by the artist or under his/her supervision.

Embossment: an intaglio process in which the image is physically raised to produce a 3-dimensional effect. When accomplished without using ink it is called a blind embossment.

Engraving: an intaglio technique in which the metal plate is cut directly with a sharp engraving tool.

Etching: an intaglio technique in which the entire plate is covered with asphaltum or other acid resistant material and the image is scratched into the surface to reveal the metal underneath. The plate is then immersed in acid which "eats" the line into the plate for printing.

Impression Number: the number which identifies the order in which prints have been pulled for an edition. In an edition of 25 the first three prints would be numbered 1/25, 2/25, 3/25 etc.

Intaglio: printing process in which the ink is picked up from incised lines in the plate.

Linoleum Print: also referred to as a linocut, linoleum prints are a type of relief print produced by cutting lines or removing areas from a sheet of heavy linoleum, frequently glued to a rigid backing.'

Lithography: printing process in which the image is applied to the surface of a stone or metal plate through the use of greasy materials such as litho crayon or tuche. The surface is treated chemically to accept the printing ink while the non printing areas are kept wet to repel the ink.

Mezzotint: an intaglio process in which a metal plate is roughened with a roulette or rocker to produce a rich, dense black printing surface. The plate is worked from dark tones to light by burnishing areas of the plate to produce a variety of tones.

Monotype: Technically, an edition of only one print. Also referred to as a unique variant or a monoprint.

Offset Printing: The most common type of commercial printing, it involves the transfer of an inked image to an intermediary surface such as a rubber roller on a press. Full color printing used in producing many reproductions of work in other media use four separate rollers, one for each color: red, yellow, blue and black.

Photogravure: an intaglio process in which the image is transferred to the printing plate using a photographic process.

Planography: any process, such as lithography, which prints from a flat surface.

Printers Proofs: prints outside of the edition usually presented by the artist to a master printer or collaborator in printing the edition.

Proof: a single trial print pulled by the artist to check the progress of the image and how it is printing.

Reduction Block Print: a type of relief print made by alternately cutting and printing the same block working from lighter colors to darker colors.

Relief: a technique in which the image is printed from a raised surface, such as a woodcut, produced by cutting away areas which are not to print.

Serigraphy: also known as screenprinting, the process involves using a squeegee to force ink through a stretched fabric screen onto the surface of the paper. Areas which are not to print must be blocked out.

Woodcut: a relief process in which the image is cut into the flat surface of a block of wood, usually pine although other materials such as plywood can be used. Areas not to be printed are removed and the wood is carved with the grain. Printing is from the remaining raised surfaces.

Wood Engraving: similar to a woodcut but the wood block is carved on the butt end of the wood for additional strength. Although more difficult to carve, using the butt end allows for finer lines and more detail than can be accomplished with a woodcut.