Noun. 1. intaglio-a printing process that uses an etched or engraved plate; the plate is smeared with ink and wiped clean, then the ink left in the recesses makes the print. gravure, intaglio printing.printing process, printing-reproduction by applying ink to paper as for publication.oun. 1. intaglio-a printing process that uses an etched or engraved plate; the plate is smeared with ink and wiped clean, then the ink left in the recesses makes the print. gravure, intaglio printing.