Intaglio

An image or tonal area is printed from lines or textures scratched or etched into a metal plate. The plate is inked, wiped, and run through a press with moistened paper, which is forced down into the inked recessions, thus transferring a reversed image. Types of intaglio include etching, engraving, drypoint, mezzotint, and aquatint. Traditional etching requires exposure to toxic chemicals and materials. The recent development of non-toxic chemical etchants by Friedhard Kiebeken has greatly increased the safety of intaglio.

Acrylic Soft-Ground Etching

This is a recently developed non-toxic soft-ground method of etching. Relief ink is rolled onto a polished copper plate with a brayer. A sheet of bond paper is laid on the plate and lines drawn on the paper remove the relief ink beneath to expose the metal plate. Textured materials, as lace or netting, can be laid on the plate and covered with a non-stick material, as oiled plastic wrap; the plate is run through the press to lift off ink beneath the materials. The plate is backed with packing tape and immersed in Ferric Chloride or Edinburgh Etch to chemically etch the plate for printing.