etching on copper (a simplified description)

On a polished plate,  I applied a protective coating (the ground) through which I drew the image seen here. Only the drawn lines will become etched.

I lower a plate into a bath of ferric chloride, an acid which corrodes the exposed areas of bare copper.

Every etched line is now a groove to hold ink. I roll ink onto the plate, and then wipe the surface clean, while ink remains in the lines.

 I place the inked plate on the press bed face up, then a sheet of fine paper, and then felt blankets. This stack is squeezed under pressure between steel rollers; the ink transfers to the paper. Changes to the image often means repeating the entire process.

Etchings laid to dry on screens. Selected prints will be matted and framed under glass.

The etching – called an original print (because each is inked and printed by hand, unlike a photomechanical reproduction) –  has a distinctive look: a characteristic line quality; ink raised above the paper; embossing by the plate; a lesser or greater plate tone from the film of ink remaining on the copper surface.