"What is an Original Print?" >>

Etching

A simple line etching is made by covering a metal plate
with an acid-resistant layer or 'ground'. The artist then
draws by scratching through the resist with a simple
needle-point. The point exposes the metal beneath
and the lines can now be 'bitten' into the metal plate
by immersing it in a tray of acid. After cleaning off the
'ground', the plate is ready for printing. A soft ink is
spread over the surface of the plate and then wiped
so that the ink remains only in the incised lines. With
the bare metal polished clean the inked-up plate is
printed onto dampened paper under high pressure
exerted by a rolling press.