Intaglio Photogravure

Photogravure is an exquisite intaglio printmaking technique of the highest quality. We've recently re-invented this 570 year old process to incorporate new advances in technology. We are pleased to announce this service to the art world.

With the Photogravure process, thickened oil-based pigment ink is hand rubbed into, and then transferred from, recessed indentations in the surface of a printing plate to dampened paper with an etching press. From the 1980s, Cone Editions Press exclusively used copper plates to make photogravure prints. In the late 2010s, Cone Editions Press developed a direct-to-plate technique for producing steel-backed photopolymer photogravure plates. Not only is the fidelity higher than can be achieved with traditional copper methods, the costs are significantly less, and the time required to produce a photogravure plate just a fraction. Best of all, the unique Cone Editions method produces a photogravure print that matches a calibrated display making it perfect for digital photography or scans made from negatives and transparencies.

A high resolution positive image is printed directly onto a UV sensitive Green Mountain photopolymer plate using a modified EPSON printer with four gradated shades of UV absorbing inks formulated by Cone Editions Press. The printing of these inks is controlled by a software system also invented at Cone Editions Press. This proprietary technique results in the highest fidelity photogravure available.

The direct to plate printed positive is exposed to a very high amount of UV irradiance for a very short amount of time. The UV system is also developed at Cone Editions Press. The absence of film, glass or the need for vacuum results in the smallest possible grains size. The majority of these are microscopic in size, in varying dimensions, and in pseudo-random positioning to assimilate the finest possible aquatint. After UV exposure the unhardened portions of the plate are washed out with plain water. After processing the plate is further hardened to withstand dozens if not hundreds of impressions should the client wish.

The fidelity of a Cone Editions Press can rival platinum printing. The process being calibrated to a display easily allows a photographer or artist to work remotely and have their expectations met. Working directly with the printmakers at Cone Editions Press results in a fluid process in which an hour from computer display to the printing press is all that is necessary to begin printmaking. 

The process is perfect for monochromatic photography as well as multiple color abstraction or four color process printing or whatever an artist can imagine.

Customers who come to Cone Editions to work in photogravure pay special rates by the day or week, and will notice that it takes only a scant hour from computer display to the plate being ready for proofing on the press. For our online customers we charge separately for making a gravure plate, for a proofing session, and for printing the gravures in an edition. We can also offer binding if you are interested in special portfolios or projects. You can check out one of our basic bindings here: https://youtu.be/N_eubAkjvs4

We can also make our unique photogravure plates for you to print on your own etching press.