The reproduction method of Cologne plate, namely Cologne plate printing, also known as glass plate printing, is a kind of lithography process. 1852, British scientist Talbot found that the surface of gelatin film treated with chromate would harden after exposure. From 1867 to 187 1, Albert, a photographer in Munich, Germany, used the glass plate base for practical printing according to this principle, thus inventing Kolo plate printing. Cologne printing has experienced the development process from monochrome production, two-color overprinter, multi-color overprinter to multi-color plate-making overprinter. After continuous improvement, this traditional printing technology is becoming more and more scientific, combined with modern technology and equipment, computer scanning production, electronic color separator automatic color separation. Its reproduction efficiency and quality are greatly improved, and the reproduction cycle is shortened, which satisfies the collection aspirations of the majority of painting and calligraphy lovers and strengthens the circulation of precious painting and calligraphy works.
Manual copying method is characterized by high degree of simulation, but high artistic requirements, which must be copied by professionals with high artistic accomplishment and low efficiency. Woodcut watermark also has the same characteristics, such as complex process and low efficiency, while offset printing and photographic printing are only suitable for copying work with low simulation requirements, which is characterized by high efficiency. Various copying methods of calligraphy and painting have their own advantages and disadvantages. Comparatively speaking, Kolo's copying method is more practical, with high technical simulation. It is suitable for paintings and calligraphy works with changeable strokes and rich ink levels, and its efficiency is much higher than woodcut watermarking and manual copying. At the same time, it is also suitable for printing and copying of various materials.
In recent years, the Kolo version of China's ancient paintings and calligraphy works has been widely used for copying, showing its advantages. For example, the Yuan Dynasty copied the murals of Yongle Palace in Shanxi Province, the China edition of the silk-bound edition of rice paper organized by the Cultural Relics Publishing House, and the collections and paintings of the Forbidden City, Shanghai, Tianjin, Liaoning and other museums mostly adopted this technology.
With the rapid development of science and technology, Kolo printing will continue to improve, and will play a greater role in inheriting and developing China's calligraphy and painting civilization and expanding its circulation.