Intaglio etching is a printing process in which the image is physically or chemically etched into a metal plate. Any ink that sits within an incised line or mark will be printed.

The diverse variety of intaglio techniques which makes it the most versatile process of printmaking. Just like an artist's pencil, brush, etc. the etching process actively mediates between the artist and the image.

Although it can be roughly said, for example, that the 'spit bite' technique is analogous to water colour painting, printmaking processes do not imitate other media but are unique in their own right. The etching process is an active contributor in image creation and can turn in accidental marks and unexpected results.

Lithography is a traditional printmaking making process that harnesses the repellency of water towards oily/waxy or hydrophobic substances. This printmaking technique is the closest to painting and drawing because the artist draws directly on to a lithographic stone or metal plate. This is done with a fat or oil-based medium (eg. wax crayon) creating a water repellent positive image.

When the stone or plate is prepared for printing the drawn surfaces will accept oil based inks. These same inks will not adhere to any areas untouched by the artist since these surfaces accept water and are, therefore, hydrophilic.

Lithography is the perhaps the most complex printmaking technique because it relies primarily on chemistry rather than physical processes.

Of all printmaking techniques, screen printing is the most straightfoward, especially if an artist wants to work at a relatively large size, or with multiple colours.

In this technique ink is squeegeed on to paper through a mesh screen which has been stretched tight over a frame. Ink will not pass through the areas of screen that are sealed with emulsion. In a multi-colour print each colour is applied by an individual screen (e.g. a five colour screen print is produced from five screens).

In principle, relief printing works in direct opposition to intaglio etching. The artist removes the negative areas of the image on a block or plate. To create a mark, ink is applied to the remaining raised surface (the positive image) and then printed on to paper.

Woodblock printing was the earliest printmaking process but relief printing encompasses a range of other processes. Methods such as monotype, lino cut and the collagraph method hold to the same principle of creating a positive relief image.