Description
Design and produce original fine-art prints by preparing plates, blocks, stones, or screens and printing limited editions with traditional and digital techniques.
- • Use materials such as linoleum, wood, copper, aluminum, stone, photopolymer plates, screens, archival papers, and inks to create prints.
- • Develop visual elements—line, color, space, mass, and perspective—to achieve desired artistic effects.
- • Consult with clients, galleries, or art directors to define concepts, formats, editions, timelines, and budgets.
- • Create sketches, color separations, and mockups for review; incorporate feedback and revisions.
- • Transfer images to blocks, plates, stones, or screens via drawing, carving, engraving, photoemulsion, or digital output.
- • Carve, engrave, or etch matrices using hand tools and safe, controlled chemical processes.
- • Grain and prepare litho stones; degrease and coat screens; expose and develop emulsions as needed.
- • Mix and modify inks; test color, opacity, and viscosity for consistent results.
- • Register multiple colors and layers accurately for proofs and final editions.
- • Operate relief, intaglio, lithography, and screen-printing presses or hand tools to print editions.
- • Pull artist proofs and state proofs; refine plates or screens before final printing.
- • Number, title, date, and sign prints; document edition sizes, states, and techniques.
- • Prepare papers by cutting, conditioning, or dampening to printing specifications.
- • Apply chine-collé, embossing, stencils, or hand-coloring to enhance prints.
- • Use digital software for design, separations, and output; produce archival pigment prints when appropriate.
- • Maintain and clean presses, rollers, brayers, screens, and tools; ensure studio safety and ventilation.
- • Manage inventory of papers, inks, solvents, plates, blocks, and shop supplies.
- • Photograph or scan artwork and editions for documentation, certificates, and promotion.
- • Estimate material costs and labor; develop project budgets and schedules for approval.
- • Maintain portfolios of prints, proofs, and process documentation to showcase style and skills.
- • Mat, hinge, and frame prints using archival methods for display or sale.
- • Plan, install, and pack exhibitions; coordinate shipping and handling of editions.
- • Market work through websites, social media, galleries, and print fairs; manage online sales.
- • Teach or demonstrate printmaking techniques in workshops or classes.
- • Research techniques, materials, and trends; attend exhibitions and read industry publications to stay current.
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
