Chalcography

After making the matrix, the artist must transfer the drawing made on paper.
This completes the making of the work, display and check of the image.
Printing is a very delicate operation and must be carried out by the engraver in collaboration with an expert printer.

Being hollow engraving, the ink is evenly spread on the matrix in order to penetrate into the marks (if necessary, a hot plate can be used to facilitate penetration) with a small pad. Once the ink has been applied to all its parts, all ink in excess must be removed using a spatula and then it must be spread better using a tarlatan cloth; clean it with the palm of your hand, previously covered with calcium carbonate powder, and clean the edges with magnesium.

The plate is ready for printing. It is laid upon the plate with the engraved and inked surface facing upwards. A previously dampened sheet of paper is then placed on top of it.
A particular type of paper is used for engraving: it has very little glue and no wood fibre (very similar to blotting paper). Felt is placed further on top to reduce the pressure and collect the water in excess from the paper. Everything is then passed under the cylinders of the specially built press. The ink deposited in the marks made on the plate by the artist will be transferred on the paper pressed on the matrix by the cylinder press.
The artist verifies whether the result is up to his/her expectations and expresses a go-ahead for printing as a reference of all the ordered copies. Once printed, the paper is dried under thick and possibly previously heated natural cardboard.
This printing procedure is repeated for every sheet of paper.