Chine collé

Chine Collé allows the artist to add colour to their prints without the need of another block. The image is transferred onto a finer, more delicate surface such as Japanese paper or tissue paper, which is then bonded onto a heavier support during the printing process. The benefit of being able to print of a more delicate surface is the abilty to pull finer details off the plate, as well as being able to add background colour to the work. The word chine in French is China, and in this context relates to the thin papers traditionally used in this process imported from eastern and central Asia; and collé meaning glued.