What is the primary characteristic of the Intaglio Process?

The primary characteristic of the Intaglio Process is that the image is incised into the surface. This means that designs or images are carved or etched into a plate, typically made of metal. During the printing process, ink fills these incised areas, while the surface of the plate remains relatively free of ink. This method allows for a high level of detail and subtlety in the final print, as the incised lines can hold a significant amount of ink, creating rich and textured images.

In contrast, the other options describe different printing techniques. The first option refers to a method where ink is simply spread across a smooth surface, which does not involve incisions. The second option describes relief printing, where the image is raised above the background surface, allowing the raised areas to be inked and printed. The last option pertains to stencil printing, where ink is forced through a design cut into a material to create an image. Each of these processes differs significantly from the Intaglio method in both execution and results.