Wet and dry printing

Wet and dry printing refers to two methods of preparing paper for engraved printing.

Wet printing means the paper is thoroughly soaked before printing. The (wove) paper then stretches slightly in one direction. When the paper dries, it shrinks slightly and the printed images also shrink slightly.

In dry printing, the paper is printed as is, not wetted. Therefore there is no shrinkage.

Measurement of often tiny differences reveals the two printing methods which are considered collectible. Examples include the United States special habdling stamps of 1925-29 and Iran's 1911-13 Shah Ahmed issue. 



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