Demonstrating the process of printing of Couple I, Mahlangu says: "Each plate is created engrave in what’s known as dry-needle technique. By printing each of the plates in its intended colour – in this case red, yellow and blue – on the same sheet of paper, a colour image emerges. To make sure that each colour is positioned in its exact location, the artists traces the image of the first plate and rubs this onto the next colour plate, before engraving this.

 

"For each print, the paper and plates must be positioned in exactly the same place. A number of test prints, where some are lighter or darker, establishes the right amount of inking. In ‘Couple I’ the green tints are combining image of the yellow and blue plates. The final result is recorded, and a further number of prints are produced, each then signed and numbered by the artist. In ‘Couple I’, the artist added aquatinting, a process of adding watercolour inks to the final print."

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