Quite obviously finely etched plates will not require the same kind of paper as a deeply cut engraving. In selecting a paper to print on, the printer must choose in function of the relief he will need as determined by the plate to be used. The paper surface must be soft to the touch but it must not be finished nor, above all, must it be coated. a fairly low density in comparison to its mass). It must take well to being compressed and have an homogenousness and a fairly strong body ( i. This paper must therefore be very elastic. The paper used for printing engravings must always have specific characteristics, above all, because it is compressed by the press and will only print correctly if the paper penetrates the lines of the plate. These two categories of paper must also be analysed in terms of their receptiveness to printing and, finally, in function of their quality since very often prints require paper that will enrich their appearance.ДЎ. The second type of paper, which is used in planographic work, serves the purposes of lithography, serigraphy, offset and, to a certain extent, woodcut. T aille-douce paper must be used when damp and must bear up under the dampening and soaking procedures. In fact, all of the papers which are used for embossing or goffering belong to this category. This paper will bear the 'plate mark' and will be pressed into the intaglio lines of the plate. Generally speaking one can make a distinction between paper that will allow, when printed, for a relief, due to the plate used in printing ( intaglio plates) and the paper that is used for printing planographic work. Papers for different printmaking techniques.

What is intaglio printing