What Is Chine Collé?
Chine collé is a printmaking technique in which a thin sheet of delicate paper is bonded to a heavier backing sheet during the printing process. The technique is often used in conjunction with etching, aquatint, lithography, or other intaglio methods. Artists choose chine collé to introduce subtle color, texture, or translucency while preserving extremely fine printed detail.
Traditionally, lightweight Asian or European papers are cut slightly larger than the printed image and adhered during the passage through the printing press. Because the thin paper receives ink differently than a heavier support sheet, chine collé can create unusually rich line quality and delicate tonal transitions.
Collectors often notice chine collé through the visible edge of the thinner paper embedded within the larger sheet. The process can add a tactile and visual complexity that distinguishes the print from standard edition work. In contemporary printmaking, artists may use chine collé to create atmospheric backgrounds, enhance tonal variation, or integrate multiple paper surfaces into a single composition.