Engraving, Wiping and Printing

Dry-point.

The artist uses a metal tool called a needle with a diamond or hard steel point. As the needle cuts into the plate, it throws up a soft ridge of metal called a burr. Depending on the angle, the artist can create a burr on one or both sides of the incision. The burr, rather than the incision, holds the ink and thus forms the lines of the image. Dry-point plates are printed in the same way as other engraved plates. Dry-point lines are softer than those in burin engravings. Dry point is often combined with etching and engraving to obtain special effects.

Printing the engraving also requires considerable skill because the artist wants to produce pictures that are as identical as possible. Each picture pulled (printed) from a single plate is called an impression. To pull an impression, the artist needs ink, paper, and a press. First the engraved plate is warmed over an appliance called a hot plate. The heated metal holds the thick printing ink more firmly than cold metal could. A piece of cardboard or a small roller is then used by the artist to put a layer of ink on the engraved surface. The artist rubs and pushes the ink across the plate, forcing ink into the incisions.

After the incisions have been filled with ink, the plate is wiped several times with a pad of stiff fabric. The artist wipes in a circular motion, varying the pressure to distribute the ink evenly over the entire plate. Additional wiping eliminates all except a thin film of ink from the plate's surface. The plate is usually wiped a final time with the hand to create highlights and delicate tonal effects. The plate is then ready for the press.

Artists usually print engravings on handmade paper because of its superior quality. They soak or sponge the paper with water so it becomes more pliable and receives the ink better. They then adjust the press to obtain the desired pressure from the metal roller. They place the plate on the press and put the dampened paper on the inked plate. Next, they cover the paper with two or more felt blankets and run the plate through the press. The pressure of the roller causes the ink to transfer onto the paper, creating an impression or print.

After the plate has passed through the press, the artist removes the blankets and carefully lifts the paper so that it does not tear. The freshly pulled impression is placed between white blotters to dry. The artist puts flat boards on the blotters to make sure that the paper lies flat and does not wrinkle. Inking and printing are repeated for each impression. After pulling the impressions, the artist removes all ink from the plate with turpentine and carefully wraps and stores the plate.