Identification of prints
Berlin, 6.-7. October 2025
Content
The artistic and industrial printing techniques undergo a constant development. Modern technology allows a great variety of relief, intaglio, lithography, screen and digital print. Therefore, the artistic prints can no longer be limited only to the classical techniques. Artists are using the new technical possibilities with interest. Therefore, in the identification of the artistic works we are also confronted with mechanical, mostly photomechanical techniques.
This two-day course focuses on manual artistic printing techniques. The individual printing techniques and their numerous sub-groups will be presented in detail with illustrated lectures.
As an extension, those photomechanical reproduction processes will also be included, with which confusion can occur.
In the practical part the two days offer the opportunity to look at a great number and variety of original prints under magnification. There are several stereo microscopes available. During these exercises the special characteristics of each technique will be worked out.
The course provides an opportunity to look at a great number and variety of original prints under magnification and to exercise the identification of their techniques.
Lecturer: Hildegard Homburger
Language: English — Number of participants: 8
Registration: h.homburger@t-online.de
Fee: 390 euros (350 euros for IADA members)
Identification of photomechanical prints
Berlin, 9.-10. October 2025
Content
Within the total number of photomechanical prints, artistic works represent only a small part.
With the introduction of photography in the 19th century, printers no longer had to transfer the image manually onto the printing surface, but were offered the possibility to transfer the image by sensitizing the printing surface and exposing it to light, through a negative or positive depending on the printing technique.
With computer technology, negative or positive film is often no longer necessary. The image is transformed into dots by the computer and the image is transferred to the printing surface by light exposure in the machine.
Since their invention photomechanical printing techniques have continued to develop further. There are many similar variations of the same technique, each named differently by its inventor. This can be very confusing in the process of identification. In this seminar the most important photomechanical techniques of relief, intaglio, planographic, screen and digital prints will be presented.
The different techniques (artistic and reproduction) will be examined by studying original prints under magnification. Two participants will share a stereomicroscope. The distinctive characteristics of each technique will be worked out through close looking at the original prints, as exercises in identification.
The two-days course provides an opportunity to look at a great number and variety of original prints under magnification and to develop skills in the identification of their techniques. There will also be the opportunity to compare photomechanical with manual prints.
Lecturer: Hildegard Homburger
Language: English — Number of participants: 8
Registration: h.homburger@t-online.de
Fee: 390 euros (350 euros for IADA-members)
Courses organised in cooperation with IADA (International Association of Book and Paper Conservators)