Abstract:
Johann Gutenberg of Germany first printed a book in 1456, and about a hundred years
later it was introduced in India by the Portuguese. Since these inventions, all the visual
art media is being practiced all over the world today. Among these, Graphic art is one of
the most powerful and universal. With the passage of time, many practical and
theoretical developments took place. As a result, printmaking is now in an uncertain
territory. Under the guidance of Somnath Hore various experiments took place in Late
20th Century. And printmaking as a specialization was introduced for the first time in
India at the graduate level. Early 21st Century witnessed the rise of new media. Early
18th century photographical techniques are reinvented and started in practice by the
printmakers, which did not spell the end for traditional graphic media. So digital
technologies have not replaced other methods but rather extended choice and capacity.
Other issue related to the printing process deals with highly toxic chemicals like Acid
nitric, acid Phosphoric, etc. Complying with Supreme Court's direction of September
2013, a ban on sale of acid has been imposed across the country in wake of rising attacks
on women and by keeping the serious view on environmental issues. All these issues
related to printmaking process need to be analyzed carefully. And this paper is a
moderate attempt in this direction.
