Printing enthusiasts and artists still use intaglio printing, despite being difficult and laborious, because it offers unique quality that most other types of printing can’t match.
If I go deeper, then here’s why I think that intaglio printing is still popular.
Unmatched Detail and Precision
Most modern printing methods cannot replicate the incredible fine lines and intricate textures because of engraving and etching, which are critical processes for intaglio printing. The level of control over depth, shading, and line variation is unique and is probably unmatched by any other printing methods.
That’s why it’s still used in printing where precision is of utmost importance. No wonder currency, passports, and high-security documents in the government and military use intaglio printing.
The microscopic detail and tactile surface of intaglio prints make them extremely difficult to forge.
Top Notch Tactile Printing Quality
The ink in the intaglio printing sits below the surface of the metal plate, giving it a tactile quality that is eye catching and pretty. The pressure from the press creates a raised embossed effect. It gives the printing a textual richness that you can feel on your fingertips.
Collectors and artists love this tactile sensation. It makes each piece feel handcrafted and authentic.
Unshakeable Durability
Intaglio prints can last of centuries without fading if they’re made from quality materials. Many museum quality prints and from the 16th and 17th century still look fantastic today because they are made from this process.
Purists Love It
Many artists and printing purists love this type of printing. Why?
Because the manual nature of the process, which includes engraving, inking, wiping, and pressing, requires a deep understanding of the craft. Artists can add their personality in the final output and hence, each printing can be unique.
Difficult to Mass Produce
In a time where digital images are everywhere, there’s a growing appreciation for slow, hands-on processes. Intaglio represents a return to craftsmanship and authenticity, which is appealing in art markets and among collectors.
Intaglio printing survives not despite its difficulty, but because of what that difficulty creates: timeless beauty, technical mastery, and emotional depth. The process is a gatekeeper; it demands precision, patience, and devotion.
In a world of shortcuts and instant prints, intaglio stands as proof that mastery still matters.
You can’t fake an intaglio print. The plate tells the truth. Every line is earned.