An intaglio plate is one whose image is embedded into the surface of the printing plate. Traditionally this would have been achieved using hand engraving tools or acid etching. At Factum Arte's recently formed Intaglio Print Studio, we have been working with several artists with diverse requirements to create plates that may be hand drawn, photographically transferred and recreated as a depth map from 3D scans.

These images have been digitally routed deep into the metal providing a plate which creates, when passed through the etching press, a powerful blind embossed image upon the paper. There is the capacity for the plate to be inked in the intaglio, or to be surface rolled, or for both of those methods to be employed simultaneously. This enriches the surface of the image on the paper. By mixing CNC milled plates with traditional etching processes and multiple plate printing it is possible to push artisanal printing to new heights.