| Type | Art form |
| Artists | Albrecht Dürer • Rembrandt van Rijn • Japanese ukiyo-e artists |
| Purpose | Art reproduction • Advertising |
| Used for | Religious texts • Art • Merchants' advertisements |
| Originated | Middle Ages |
| Techniques | Engraving • Etching • Woodcut • Lithography • Serigraphy |
| Initiated by | |
| Place of origin |
Printmaking is a method of creating a series of identical images on varying surfaces by means of incised or molten elements. The process of printmaking has been traced back as far as the Middle Ages, when it emerged as a means of reproducing religious texts and images. Unlike our timeline, in this alternate reality, printmaking did not become a mechanized process but was instead kept as a manual craft. The focus remained primarily on art and images rather than text and literature.
Printmaking began in the Middle Ages as a means of reproducing religious texts and images. The process involved the use of a block of wood or metal that was incised with an image or text and then inked and pressed onto paper or cloth. The earliest known examples of printmaking from this timeline date back to the 12th century, when they were used primarily for religious purposes.
The Catholic Church played a major role in the spread of printmaking in the Middle Ages. The Church needed a way to reproduce religious texts and images, and printmaking provided an efficient means of doing so. As a result, the Church became one of the earliest adopters and patrons of printmaking, using it to produce religious texts and images for distribution throughout the Church's vast network of parishes and monasteries.
As the popularity of printmaking grew, printshops began to emerge throughout Europe. These printshops were often owned and operated by master craftsmen who were skilled in the art of printmaking. In this alternate timeline, printshops did not become mechanized but rather remained manual, craft-based operations. This ensured that the focus on visual art was retained, rather than shifting towards text.
Artistic printmaking was a significant aspect of printmaking in this alternate timeline. The focus was on creating beautiful images rather than reproducing text. The types of prints produced included woodcuts, which used a block of wood as the printing surface; engravings, which used a copper plate to produce the images; and etchings, which used a wax-coated copper plate and acid to create the design.
Printmaking was also adopted by merchants as a means of advertising their goods and services. The use of printmaking for advertising was particularly popular in the cities, where merchants could use prints to promote their businesses and attract new customers.
Printmaking was not only used for religious and commercial purposes but also provided a source of income for artists. Many artists of the time produced prints as a way to make a living. They would often produce prints in small runs and sell them to collectors or patrons. This helped to support many artists and allowed them to continue producing their work.
In this alternate timeline, printmaking has remained a manual craft rather than becoming mechanized, with a focus on visual art rather than text. It remains a significant aspect of the arts, used by the Catholic Church, merchants, and artists alike. This has led to a flourishing culture of printmaking that remains vibrant and diverse.
