What type of printmaking is characterized by carving images into a surface where ink is held in the carved lines?

The correct response is relief printing, which is characterized by the process of carving images into a surface, such as wood or linoleum. In this method, the areas that are cut away do not hold ink, while the raised surfaces do. When ink is rolled onto the surface, it only adheres to the raised sections, allowing for the print to be made. This technique is one of the oldest forms of printmaking and can produce bold and graphic images.

Looking at the other options, intaglio involves engraving or etching designs into a plate, where the ink is held in the grooves created by the carving. This is fundamentally different from relief printing, as it relies on the recessed lines to hold the ink rather than the raised surfaces.

Screen printing employs a mesh screen to transfer ink onto a substrate, typically fabric or paper, using a stencil to block out areas where ink is not desired. This method does not involve carving or creating incised lines.

Lithography, a planographic printing process, relies on the principle that oil and water repel each other. Images are drawn onto a flat stone or metal plate, and then processed to create a printing surface based on chemical reactions; it also does not involve carving into the plate surface.

Understanding