Graphic art

In this printing technique all the recessed portions of a plate are printed. A special etching needle is used to make a drawing in a thin coat of an etching ground, which is applied on a copper or zinc plate. The whole plate is then immersed in a mordant bath, for which nitric acid is used mostly. The acid bites out the etched lines. The longer the plate remains in the bath, the deeper the acid will bite out the drawing and the darker the lines will be when printed. The etching ground protects the unetched part of the plate.
Once the etching ground is removed, the plate is inked with a dabber. The surplus ink is then wiped off with the palm of the hand and subsequently the plate is covered with a damp paper and run through the etching press. Protected by a felt cloth the whole package passes through the press. Due to the great pressure the ink is pressed out of the etched lines and these become visible on the paper -in reverse. For a color print this process is repeated (several times). It is also possible to apply colors locally on the original plate.

In the drypoint etching technique the artist makes a drawing straight on the surface of the zinc or copper plate. This technique is more difficult, for it is impossible to make corrections and the result is usually less refined than with an etching.

Relief printing
Planographic printing
Intaglio printing
Stenciling
Mixed media