Printmaker

A Printmaker is an artist who specializes in creating artworks by printing images, patterns, or text onto paper, fabric, or other materials using various techniques. Printmaking allows for the production of multiple originals—known as prints—each considered a legitimate work of art. Printmakers work with both traditional and modern techniques, such as etching, engraving, linocut, woodcut, screen printing, lithography, and digital printing. They often combine technical skill with creative expression to produce artworks that range from bold graphic designs to finely detailed imagery.

Printmakers typically perform the following duties:

• Design and prepare images for print using drawing, carving, etching, or digital tools.
• Select the appropriate printmaking technique based on the desired artistic effect, such as relief, intaglio, planographic, or stencil methods.
• Prepare printing surfaces (plates, blocks, or screens) by carving, engraving, or applying photo-emulsion processes.
• Operate printing presses or hand-print individual works, ensuring alignment and ink consistency.
• Experiment with inks, paper types, layering, and textures to create varied visual effects.
• Produce limited editions or series, often numbering and signing each print to maintain authenticity.
• Maintain and clean tools, presses, and studio space to ensure safe and effective work conditions.
• Collaborate with galleries, curators, or publishers to exhibit and sell work.
• Teach or conduct workshops to share printmaking techniques with students or fellow artists.
• Archive and document print editions, noting techniques, editions, and materials used.

The following job titles also refer to printmaker:

designer printmaker
illustrator and printmaker
artist printmaker
silk screen printer
relief printer
printmaking artist
printmaking etcher
lithographer
screen printer
illustrator & printmaker

Printmakers typically work in print studios or shared workshop spaces equipped with specialized equipment like etching presses, silk screens, and carving tools. The work involves careful manual labor and attention to detail, often in messy or ink-heavy environments. Depending on the medium, the process may involve exposure to solvents, acids, or sharp tools, requiring strict adherence to safety protocols. While schedules are generally flexible, deadlines for exhibitions, commissions, or collaborations may require long or irregular hours.

Many Printmakers hold a degree in fine arts with a concentration in printmaking, although formal education is not mandatory for success. Training in art techniques, design principles, and specific printmaking methods is essential and can be gained through academic programs, apprenticeships, or self-directed learning. Experience with both traditional and digital tools is increasingly valuable. A strong portfolio demonstrating technical skill, originality, and a clear artistic voice is key for securing exhibitions, commissions, and teaching opportunities. Printmakers must also stay current with innovations in materials, techniques, and conservation practices.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Printmaker is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to printmaker.

ceramicist
drawing artist
artistic painter
street artist
jewellery designer

These skills are necessary for the role of printmaker.

• Position engraving equipment: Position and clamp workpieces, plates, or rollers in holding fixtures.
• Engrave patterns: Engrave and print designs and patterns onto a variety of surfaces.
• Ensure accurate engravings: Closely observe the actions of the mechanical cutting tools, resulting in a flawless engraving process.
• Select engraving templates: Select, prepare and install engraving templates; operate cutting tools and routers.
• Transfer designs on workpiece: Operate stylus and cutting tools, duplicate design or letters on a workpiece.
• Maintain engraving equipment: Regular maintenance of cutting wheels and other mechanic engraving tools.
• Sketch designs on workpieces: Sketch or scribe layouts and designs on workpieces, plates, dies or rollers. Use compasses, scribers, gravers, pencils, etc.
• Scale etchings: Operate reduction scales and set pantograph controls.
• Operate engraving equipment: Operate mechanical engraving tools and machines, set controls of cutting tools. Make adjustments if necessary.
• Prepare etching chemicals: Prepare etching chemicals according to formulas, mixing solutions of specified concentration.
• Adjust properties of cut: Adjust cut sizes and depths of cutting tools. Adjust heights of worktables and machine-arms.
• Handle etching chemicals: Brush or smear acid over mechanic engraving tools, in order to improve the visibility of the inscriptions.
• Sterilise workpieces: Remove dirt from workpieces or specialised machines.
• Transpose designs to engravings: Examine diagrams, sketches, blueprints and samples, and calculate how they are to be engraved onto work pieces.
• Prepare workpieces for etching: Prepare mechanical tools and work pieces for etching by polishing their surface and bevelling the work piece to remove sharp edges. Polishing is done using different sandpapers and sand films which are applied and vary from rough to very fine ones.
• Prepare workpieces for engraving: Prepare mechanical tools and workpieces for engraving by polishing their surface and bevelling the workpiece to remove sharp edges. Polishing is done using different sandpapers and sand films which are applied from rougher ones to very fine ones.
• Clean engraved areas: Polish and clean engraved etching areas.
• Verify engraving accuracy: Examine design results to verify engraving accuracy, rework engraving where needed.
• Inspect etched work: Inspect finished etchings in detail, using microscopes and magnifying lenses.
• Fill etchings: Fill etchings with opaque paste to improve readability.
• Determine quality of engraving: Quality control of engravings and etchings; check for cuts, burns, rough spots and irregular or incomplete engraving.
• Compute engraving dimensions: Measure and compute dimensions of lettering, designs and patterns to be engraved.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of printmaker. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Assess conservation needs: Assess and list the needs for conservation/restoration, in relation to current use and planned future use.
• Collaborate with a technical staff in artistic productions: Coordinate the artistic activities with others who are specialised in the technical side of the project. Inform the technical staff of the plans and methods suggested and obtain feedback on feasibility, cost, procedures and other relevant information. Be able to understand the vocabulary and practises concerning technical issues.

2651 – Visual artists

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References

1. Printmaker – ESCO
2. Featured image: By Science History Institute, CC BY-SA 3.0