What is Intaglio Printing?
Intaglio printing is a type of printmaking that uses a metal plate with the design etched into it. The plate is then inked and pressed onto paper, which transfers the design to the stamp. This method is often used for stamps with complex designs or fine details.
The intaglio printing process begins with the creation of a master plate. This plate is typically made of copper or steel, and the design is etched into the plate using a variety of tools, such as burins and needles. Once the master plate is created, it can be used to create multiple stamps.
How is Intaglio Printing Used in Postage Stamps?
To print a stamp, the master plate is first inked. The ink is then transferred to a sheet of paper, which is pressed onto the plate. The pressure of the press forces the ink into the etched areas of the plate, creating the image on the stamp.
Intaglio printing is a relatively slow and expensive process, but it produces high-quality stamps with a great deal of detail. This makes it ideal for stamps with complex designs, such as portraits or landscapes. Intaglio printing is also often used for stamps with security features, such as watermarks and microprinting.
Pros of using intaglio printing for postage stamps:
- High-quality images with fine details
- Durable stamps that are resistant to wear and tear
- Secure stamps that are difficult to counterfeit
Cons of using intaglio printing for postage stamps:
- Slow and expensive process
- Requires skilled craftsmen to create the master plates
- Not suitable for large-scale production
Overall, intaglio printing is a versatile and high-quality printing process that is well-suited for the manufacture of postage stamps. It is often used for stamps with complex designs or security features, and it produces stamps that are durable and difficult to counterfeit.
Postage Stamps Printed using Intaglio:
The Queen Victoria stamps, which were issued in the United Kingdom from 1840 to 1867, were also printed using intaglio.
The American Flag stamps, which were issued in the United States in 1938, were printed using intaglio.
If you are interested in learning more about intaglio printing, there are a number of resources available online and in libraries. You can also visit a stamp museum to see examples of intaglio-printed stamps.
A great place to find stamps is the Philatelic collections in the British Library.
Guides on Stamp Collecting
For more guides on stamp collecting, check out some of our other pages.
- How to Remove Stamps from Envelopes
- Stamp Perforation and Gauges
- How to Identify a Stamp
- How to Value a Stamp Collection
- What is Offset Printing
33 year old casual stamp collector from the UK!
