Viscosity (printmaking)

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Viscosity is a planographic printmaking technique. The process is based upon the property that water will not mix with oil; it extends this practice by creating tacky vs. oily ink surfaces. A tacky ink surface is rolled on a flat monotyping surface, it is then drawn into or wiped away. A second layer of oilier ink is then rolled on top of the first layer, it will transfer only into the wiped away areas. This technique of alternating tackier and oiler ink layers may be repeated. A damp piece of paper is placed on top, and the plate and paper are run through a printing press that, through pressure, transfers the ink from the plate to the paper.