Definition

1. Noun:
   • A printing process: A method of printing that uses photography to create an image on a metal cylinder (plate) for use on a rotary press. The image is transferred from this photogravure plate to the paper.
   • Printed material: The text and pictures, often in a newspaper supplement or magazine section, that are produced using the rotogravure printing process.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Printing Process):

  • The high-quality color images in the magazine were produced using rotogravure.
  • Rotogravure is often used for long print runs of catalogs and packaging.

• Noun (Printed Material):

  • He collected the Sunday rotogravure to look at the photographs.
  • The advertisement appeared in a glossy rotogravure section.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Context: In publishing and printing industries, "rotogravure" specifically denotes the combination of photogravure (an intaglio process where the image is etched into the plate) with a rotary web press for high-speed, high-volume printing.
  • The company invested in a new rotogravure press for its packaging division.

Variants and Related Words

• Photogravure (n): A similar intaglio printing process from an etched copper plate, often used for fine art prints. Rotogravure is a rotary, industrial adaptation of this process.
• Gravure (n): A common shortened form of "rotogravure," especially in commercial printing contexts (e.g., gravure printing, gravure cylinder).

Synonyms

• Gravure printing: The general term for intaglio printing processes, including rotogravure.
• Intaglio printing: The broader category of printing where the image area is recessed below the surface of the plate.

Related Phrases

• Rotogravure press: The specific type of rotary printing press used in this process.
  • The newspaper installed a new rotogravure press for its weekend edition.

Noun

1. using photography to produce a plate for printing
2. printed material (text and pictures) produced by an intaglio printing process in a rotary press
3. printing by transferring an image from a photogravure plate to a cylinder in a rotary press