It is a means or tool for placing ink on paper. Most printing is done with a plate. The four main types of printing methods are relief, where words or images are raised above the surface of the plate; intaglio, where they are etched through the surface; planography, on the same plane as the surface; and stencil, or screen printing, cut below the plate surface.
Words and images may also be “printed” electronically, using photocopiers and inkjet printers. See also electronic printing, intaglio, letterpress, lithography, offset, planography, plate, relief, screen printing, stencil, waterless printing, and web press.