Printmaking: Etching

Etching is a print process where a design is scratched into the surface of a metal plate which is then inked up and printed in a press.

Before this is done you de-grease the metal using detol and chalk, making sure to rinse this off and dry it after. The metal is placed on a hot place to heat the metal and then coated with a type of wax called ground. You can then scratch in your image [in reverse] using an etching needle/scriber. For mine, I did a zombie Barbie as it was relevant to the ideas I was having for our current uni project [which I will post about in the future]. When you're finished you put your plate in an acid bath for about 10 minutes.

After this then wash the plate in water. Whilst you're doing this you could soak the paper you wish to print on in water too since it needs to be damp to absorb the ink, so make sure you use a paper with a decent gsm! Ink up the plate using oil based ink and cut card, making sure to press the ink into the groves that you scratched in, then use scrim and tissue paper to remove excess ink.

The type of press used is a roller press. Take your soaked paper out the water and squeeze out the excess by using a rolling pin over the paper in between several other layers of paper. Then place your plate face up on a sheet of tissue paper on the press, then your prepared paper, another sheet of tissue paper and finally etching press blankets. Turn the wheel or handle to operate the press and then your print is done! Leave it to dry and repeat as many times as you like! Here are some photos of the prints I made during our induction session: