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The Printmaking Bible: The Complete Guide to Materials and Techniques
Perennially popular, printmaking is enjoying a contemporary resurgencebut no comprehensive up-to-date manual on the subject exists. At over 400 pages and packed with 1,000 full-color photos and illustrations, The Printmaking Bible is the definitive resource to the ins-and-outs of every variety of serious printmaking technique practiced today.In-depth instructions are accompanied by profiles that show how working artists create their prints. Historical information, troubleshooting tips, and an extensive resource section provide more invaluable tools. Perfect for students, artists, print aficionados, and collectors, this is truly the ultimate volume for anyone involved in this creative and influential art form.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 16, 2013
I had a tough time selecting my rating for this book. On the one hand, my librarian mind sees that it is an excellently designed and organized reference book. It provides a great overview of most printmaking techniques, a bit of background about the history of each, and occasional profiles of contemporary artists using them. It includes clear and useful step by step instructions with equally clear photographs. There is a great list of resources such as workshops and suppliers at the end and best of all, a thorough index (librarian pet peeve: why make a large, comprehensive book and then have no index to make it useful??).
From my perspective as an artist, though, this book left me disappointed. It could more accurately be entitled "The TOXIC Printmaking Bible". Though I admire the authors' dedication to traditional techniques, I think it would be nice if they would have even mentioned that less toxic, less expensive techniques have been developed to serve as an alternate to certain techniques. Novice readers who finish this book would be left totally unaware of safer advancements in the field. There are so many opportunities to use tools and materials that are cheaper and more accessible than the ones mentioned in this book. If you have access to a fully equipped print studio, then great, but many people do not. I understand that there is value to preserving traditional techniques, but I don't think it's the best way to make printmaking accessible to the uninitiated. An interesting and visually delightful read, but far from a "complete guide to materials and techniques".
From my perspective as an artist, though, this book left me disappointed. It could more accurately be entitled "The TOXIC Printmaking Bible". Though I admire the authors' dedication to traditional techniques, I think it would be nice if they would have even mentioned that less toxic, less expensive techniques have been developed to serve as an alternate to certain techniques. Novice readers who finish this book would be left totally unaware of safer advancements in the field. There are so many opportunities to use tools and materials that are cheaper and more accessible than the ones mentioned in this book. If you have access to a fully equipped print studio, then great, but many people do not. I understand that there is value to preserving traditional techniques, but I don't think it's the best way to make printmaking accessible to the uninitiated. An interesting and visually delightful read, but far from a "complete guide to materials and techniques".
March 24, 2009
Not only does this book describe tons of different printmaking processes with easy to follow color pictures and written instructions, but it also includes many examples of prints from contemporary printmakers along with short artist's statements from each. I like it a lot better as a reference than The Complete Printmaker.
December 10, 2010
A really great book shows us how everything is great and worth to die for
April 26, 2026
The Intaglio Bible with afterthoughts.
This printmaking guide and reference book has a lot of great information and also includes many gorgeous images of creaitve prints from different artisfs. Throughout are interviews with printmakers about their practice and inspirations. It is especially thorough if you're interested in intaglio printmaking.
My main complaint is that the book is very heavily imbalanced in favour of intaglio methods, taking up nearly 200 of the 400 pages in the book. Relief printing also gets a fair section, while lithography, monotypes, screenprinting and digital feel like an afterthought.
Some methods I would have liked additional attention given to:
- Polyester Lithography (a guide would have been helpful).
- Pochoir/Stencil (not necessarily screenprinted).
Cyanotypes could also be mentioned.
- Gel Plate Monotyping, which has become very popular.
- Risography with connection to independent publishing arts.
- Xerox art/scanography.
This printmaking guide and reference book has a lot of great information and also includes many gorgeous images of creaitve prints from different artisfs. Throughout are interviews with printmakers about their practice and inspirations. It is especially thorough if you're interested in intaglio printmaking.
My main complaint is that the book is very heavily imbalanced in favour of intaglio methods, taking up nearly 200 of the 400 pages in the book. Relief printing also gets a fair section, while lithography, monotypes, screenprinting and digital feel like an afterthought.
Some methods I would have liked additional attention given to:
- Polyester Lithography (a guide would have been helpful).
- Pochoir/Stencil (not necessarily screenprinted).
Cyanotypes could also be mentioned.
- Gel Plate Monotyping, which has become very popular.
- Risography with connection to independent publishing arts.
- Xerox art/scanography.
October 20, 2025
Eternally obsessed with the medium that found me. Pretty good for being so exhaustive, but a lot of room was taken up by artist spotlights that were formatted oddly & didn’t give much cohesive information.
Loved having every step of every instruction below a photo! Loved seeing all the variety! Need to find a way to do an etching fr
Loved having every step of every instruction below a photo! Loved seeing all the variety! Need to find a way to do an etching fr
August 8, 2025
Packed with great info and inspiration.
March 11, 2014
It was a great introduction book for me. I skimmed through it and has many print methods, but my goal was to learn the methods of screen printing, and it really opened my eyes to the many ways this art could be done and the equipment needed to get started. it is by no means the end all and be all of printing instructions but none of these books really are, are they. it got me through the technical bits and pieces and now I can start to to really experiment without the stress of taking stabs in the dark and wondering what went wrong.
Great book for beginners but if you are experience you may also pick up some little tips along the way also.
Great book for beginners but if you are experience you may also pick up some little tips along the way also.
December 31, 2019
One of the few, easy-to-find printmaking books out there that discusses contemporary materials. Many books available at art stores about printmaking (particularly those that talk about etching) discuss chemicals and supplies that were easily available fifty years ago (usually when the books were first written) but are not today. This book has been an invaluable reference and guide. The examples of artwork throughout are also excellent.
December 10, 2010
Excellent resource for printmaking, complete with images of each process as well as completed examples.
March 28, 2012
this is a great refernce book. I havent read every page, but ive read a lot of it. you can pick it up and go by chapters. lots of great ideas and beautiful prints.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews