Etchings and graphics

Etching (Latin radere: "to scrape, scratch") is the name given to a technique of intaglio printing in which deeper areas of a polished metal plate are first produced by means of a hardened steel or etching needle. The resulting depressions are first scratched or scribed into the printing plate laterally reversed. After printing, the image will appear right side up again.

Afterwards, printing ink is applied to the recessed lines. To absorb the ink, ink is rubbed into the resulting depressions and the surface is then polished with a cloth, leaving the ink only in the depressions that have been made. The inked plate is covered with a dampened paper and pulled through a printing press, whereby the paper absorbs the ink from the depressions and a side-inverted impression is produced. This process can be repeated to a limited extent.

A basic distinction is made between drypoint and etching. In order to obtain a softer print image, the indentations can be created in the plate by means of an acid etching technique or etching process. For this purpose, the drawing is scratched into a previously applied cover or varnish layer. In a subsequent acid treatment (plate etching), only the areas where the cover layer has been damaged are attacked. The line structure of an etching appears softer and more picturesque.

As early as the 16th century, renowned artists used this technique and produced remarkable etchings.