Photomechanical Print Processes

Photomechanical Print processes is the mechanical reproduction of an image that is printed in ink. This is often done by a printer's press. though, the prints are not a product of a photographic process and their supports are not light sensitive and light itself plays no direct role in the image production.

William Henry Fox Talbot invented the ‘talbotype’ or ‘callotype’ in 1841. this helped to create the development of photography. Unlike photographic prints, photomechanical prints do not fade.

There are many different processes for photomechanical print, including;

Photogravure:

gelatin is used as a resistant in etching a metal plate where prints are made. After being exposed, the gelatin is pressed into a resin-dusted metal plate. The unexposed gelatin is washed away and the plate is etched. Acid eats away at the metal unprotected by gelatin leaving an etched plate which can be printed from.

Photoengraving:

Photoengraving mostly has the same process as Photogravure, the only difference is that they use different plates. Photogravures are created with intaglio plates. The sections that need to be printed are removed from the plate and the ink to be printed in in the recessed etchings on the plate. Photoengravings use relief plates, which are the opposite, the sections which are not to be printed are removed from the plate and the ink is on the remaining relief sections.