Etching Intro Slides Visual Arts | Grade 12
Deep Grooves
Introduction to Intaglio & Plate Preparation
Lesson 01
Tactile Investigation
"Close your eyes. Run your fingertips across the surface. What tells your brain where the ink will hide?"
The Contrast
• Relief: Ink sits on the mountain peaks.
• Intaglio: Ink sits in the valley floors.
Compare the Blocks
Process Differentiation
Relief
• Surface: Wood, Linoleum
• Action: Cutting away non-image
• Inking: Roller over the top
• Examples: Woodcut, Stamp
Intaglio
• Surface: Copper, Zinc, Plastic
• Action: Incising the image into
• Inking: Pushed into grooves
• Examples: Etching, Drypoint
Plate Preparation
CROSS SECTION: THE BEVEL
Why Bevel?
The etching press applies massive pressure. Sharp 90° edges act like a knife, slicing through dampened paper. A 45° bevel allows the roller to climb onto the plate smoothly.
Step 01
The File
Use a metal file at a 45-degree angle around all 4 sides.
Step 02
The Burnish
Smooth the filed edge with steel wool or a scraper.
Step 03
The Corners
Round the sharp points slightly. Safety first!
Unit Inquiry
"How does the physical resistance of a material influence the expressive quality of a line?"
Plate Prep Teacher Guide Plate Prep Guide
Teacher Resource | Intaglio Lesson 01
Unit
Deep Grooves
Instructional Purpose
This lesson transitions students from the relatively "fast" removal of relief to the "slow" precision of intaglio. The physical preparation of the plate—specifically the beveling—is the first hurdle. It teaches respect for the material and the machinery. A poorly beveled plate is the #1 cause of torn press blankets and ruined paper.
Key Misconception
Students often think the bevel is purely aesthetic. Emphasize that it is a mechanical necessity . Without a 45° slope, the etching press roller (carrying tons of pressure) hits a "wall" at the plate edge, causing a shock that can damage the press and shred the paper.
Required Materials
Plexiglass or Copper plates
Flat metal files (medium cut)
Fine steel wool (#0000)
Metal scrapers/burnishers
Permanent markers (fine point)
Facilitation Steps
1
The "Feel" Demo
Pass around a raw plate and a professionally beveled plate. Ask students to run their thumb over the edge (carefully!). The beveled plate should feel "soft" or "ramped," while the raw plate feels sharp.
2
The 45° Angle Mastery
Demonstrate the file stroke: Long, single-direction strokes (pushing away from the body) at a consistent 45° angle. Warn against "sawing" back and forth, which creates jagged burrs.
3
The Light Test
Hold the plate up to the light. A successful bevel creates a consistent, shimmering silver line around the perimeter. If the line disappears or varies in width, the angle is inconsistent.
Discussion Prompts
"Why might we choose plastic/plexiglass over copper for our first experiment?"
Target Answer: Cost, transparency (can trace designs), and softer material for easier incising during the learning phase.
"What happens to the ink if we leave the edges sharp and rough?"
Target Answer: Ink will catch in the rough scratches of the edge, creating a messy black frame around the image instead of a clean plate mark.
Beveling Basics Worksheet Plate Prep & Design
Name:
Date:
Lesson 01: The Foundation
Part 1: Identifying the Process
Analyze the diagrams below. Based on the "mountain vs. valley" concept, label each process and describe where the ink sits during printing.
Process Name:
Ink Location:
Process Name:
Ink Location:
Part 2: Preparation Quality Control
Edges filed to a consistent 45° angle.
Sharp corners rounded/dulled.
Bevel burnished with steel wool/scraper.
Plate surface cleaned of fingerprints.
Part 3: Design Thinking
Sketch a high-contrast design concept for your plate. Remember: Intaglio excels at fine lines, textures, and deep blacks . White space is created by leaving the plate un-incised.
Plate Design Area
Texture Strategy:
How will you create mid-tones? (Stippling, hatching, etc.)
Subject Matter Focus:
What imagery best uses the "etched" look?
Scribing Skills Slides Lesson 02
Scribing & Line
The Physics of the Burr
Whisper vs. Shout
Light Pressure
Barely breaks the surface. Creates a delicate, silvery grey line. Perfect for atmospheric distance or subtle textures.
Heavy Pressure
Drives deep into the material. Displaces more plastic/metal, creating a massive burr for "velvety" blacks.
The Spectrum of Value
The Secret: The Burr
In drypoint, you aren't just cutting a groove; you are displacing material.
The "burr" is the rough ridge of material thrown up by the needle. It acts like a tiny shelf that traps and holds ink.
GROOVE BURR BURR
"The burr is what gives drypoint its velvety characteristic."
Creating Value
Hatching
Parallel lines. Close together = dark. Spaced apart = light.
Cross-Hatch
Layered hatching at angles. Creates the richest, deepest blacks.
Stippling
Tiny dots with the needle tip. Best for skin tones and soft gradients.
The Pressure Grid
Before starting your master plate, you will complete a Pressure & Texture Sample.
6 Unique Textures
3 Pressure Levels
Hand-Magnifier Check
Line and Burr Activity Scribing Logbook
Technical Series 02
Objective: Mapping the Pressure
Before committing your design to the master plate, you must understand how your hand pressure translates to line weight. Use a small "test plate" (2x2") to perform the following scribing experiments.
Test Plate Map
BOX 1
BOX 2
BOX 3
BOX 4
BOX 5
BOX 6
Transfer the experiments below into the corresponding boxes on your plate.
Box 1: The Ghost Line
Use only the weight of the needle. Barely scratch the surface. Can you feel the resistance?
Box 2: The Medium Trench
Apply moderate pressure (like writing with a ballpoint pen). Feel the "bite" into the material.
Box 3: The Heavy Gash
Lean into it. You should see a significant ridge of material (the burr) curling off to the side.
Box 4: Cross-Hatch Depth
Layer heavy lines in two directions. Observe how the intersection points create "wells" for ink.
Tactile Observations
1. The Resistance Factor
How does the plate fight back as you press harder? Does the needle skip or drag?
2. Visualizing the Burr
Using a magnifying glass, look at Box 3 from the side. Describe the shape of the displaced material.
Master Plate Strategy
Based on your test plate, what will be your most challenging area to render (e.g., soft shadows, fine details, pitch black background)? How will you adjust your pressure?
Wiping Wizardry Slides Lesson 03
The Art of Wiping
Finding the image hidden beneath the ink.
One Plate, Three Worlds
BRIGHT & STARK
The Clean Wipe
Pure white background. Only the deepest lines show. High contrast.
Atmospheric
Plate Tone
A thin film of ink left on the surface creates a grey, moody glow.
MUDDY
The Under-Wipe
The details are lost. The image looks smeared and messy.
The Tarlatan
A starched, open-weave cotton cloth. It is designed to be stiff yet absorbent.
Pro Tip: "The Pad"
Never use a crumpled rag. Fold your tarlatan into a flat, smooth pad. A wrinkled cloth will dig ink OUT of the lines.
The Wiping Rhythm
01
Inking
Push ink into grooves using a card or small squeegee.
02
Dirty Wipe
Use a heavily inked tarlatan to remove the bulk of surface ink.
03
Clean Wipe
Switch to a cleaner tarlatan. Light, circular strokes.
04
Hand Wipe
The "Master's Touch." Use the side of your palm for final highlights.
Don't Over-Wipe!
"If you wipe too hard, you'll pull the ink right out of the burr. You'll be left with a ghost—not a print."
Stop when the highlights shine.
Tarlatan Technique Checklist Wiping Protocol
THE TARLATAN SEQUENCE
Pre-Flight Check
Warm Plate
Clean Tarlatans (x2)
Gloves / Ink Card
1
Inking the Plate
Apply a small dollop of ink. Use a plastic card to scrape the ink across the surface, physically forcing it into every incised line. Ensure the plate is completely covered in a thin, opaque layer.
2
The Dirty Tarlatan
Using your "dirty" tarlatan (one that already has some ink), wipe in large, circular motions with moderate pressure. Your goal is to remove 80% of the surface ink. The image should start to "appear" through the fog.
3
The Polishing Pad
Switch to your "clean" tarlatan. Fold it into a flat, tensioned pad. Using very light pressure, whisk across the surface. This creates the highlights. Stop when the un-etched areas of the plate begin to shine like a mirror.
4
Edges & Hand Wipe
Use a clean rag to wipe the beveled edges completely clean (they should be silver/clear). Finally, use the side of your palm (lightly dusted with whiting if necessary) to "pop" the brightest whites of the image.
Troubleshooting the Wipe
Issue: Streaky lines in white areas
Solution: Your tarlatan pad is wrinkled. Refold it and use a flatter, lighter stroke.
Issue: Lines looking grey/empty
Solution: You over-wiped. The tarlatan dug the ink out. Re-ink and wipe more gently.
Press Pressure Slides Lesson 04
The Moment of Truth
Operating the Etching Press.
The Etching Press
An etching press is a simple machine designed to exert extreme, uniform pressure.
The Bed
The heavy steel slab that moves the plate under the roller.
The Roller
The steel cylinder that compresses everything.
Micrometers
The dials used to set precise, equal pressure on both sides.
The Wheel
The star or spoke handle that drives the mechanism.
"THE SANDWICH"
TOP ROLLER
BLANKETS (FELT)
BLOTTED PAPER
INKED PLATE
PRESS BED
BOTTOM ROLLER
15-Minute Soak
Why Wet Paper?
Dry paper is stiff and brittle. To get ink out of the deep "valleys" of an intaglio plate, the paper must be pliable and soft.
The Blotting Rule
"Damp, not dripping." If there is standing water on the paper, the ink will bleed and lose its sharp lines. Blot until the surface looks matte.
The Rules of the Press
Calibration
Always check that both sides of the roller are set to the exact same number. Uneven pressure can warp the bed or ruin your plate.
"The wheel should feel firm, but never impossible to turn."
Safety First
• No loose clothing or long hair near the rollers.
• Keep fingers away from the "pinch points."
• Only ONE person operates the wheel.
The First Proof
"Pulling the paper back is the most magical moment in art."
12 tons
of Pressure
100%
Discovery
Print Log Student Guide Proofing Log
INTAGLIO STUDIO DOCUMENTATION
Student:
Plate ID:
Every pull from the press is an opportunity to learn. Document each proof to identify what changes are needed for the next state of your plate.
Proof No. 01: The State Proof
Status: RAW
Technical Settings
Press Pressure:
Soak Time (min):
Paper Type:
Visual Analysis
LINE FIDELITY:
PLATE TONE QUALITY:
Proof No. 02: Revision Proof
Status: RE-INCISED
Technical Settings
Press Pressure:
Soak Time (min):
Paper Type:
Visual Analysis
CHANGES MADE:
RESULTS OF CHANGE:
Success Criteria
Sharp Plate Mark (Embossment)
Velvety Blacks (Healthy Burr)
Consistent Plate Tone
Crisp Highlights (Clean Wipe)
Collage Remix Slides Lesson 05
Chine-collé
The Remix Integration
Color & Texture
Chine (China/Tissue) + collé (Glued).
A technique used to add delicate color, texture, or patterns to a print by bonding thin pieces of paper to the backing sheet during the printing process.
Why do it?
It provides a localized background color that is richer and more textured than flat ink.
The Result
The Adhesive Magic
1
Cut & Prep
Cut your tissue paper slightly smaller than the area of the plate it will cover.
2
The Paste
Apply a thin layer of wheat starch paste or acid-free glue stick to the back of the tissue.
3
The Press
Place tissue (glue-side up) on the inked plate. The press pressure bonds it to the damp paper.
The Partner Remix
Swap plates with a partner. You must use Chine-collé to reinterpret their image.
Option A: Narrative
Add a new environment or character using cut paper shapes.
Option B: Mood
Change the atmosphere using large fields of transparent color.
Final Reflection
"How did adding color change the way we read the marks you made with the needle?"
Chine-collé Cheat Sheet Chine-collé Cheat Sheet
TECHNICAL REFERENCE: LESSON 05
The "Glue Sandwich" Method
Chine-collé relies on the press's pressure to bond three layers together: the backing paper, the decorative tissue, and the inked plate.
Tools Needed
Tissue paper, Glue stick/Paste, Inked plate, Dampened paper.
1
Measure & Cut
Place a piece of tracing paper over your plate and mark where you want color. Use this as a template to cut your tissue paper. Pro-tip: Cut the tissue 1/16" smaller than the intended area to allow for paper expansion.
2
Ink the Plate
Ink and wipe your plate as normal. The plate should be ready for the press BEFORE you apply adhesive to the tissue paper.
3
Apply Adhesive
Place your tissue face down on a scrap piece of paper. Apply a very thin, even layer of wheat starch paste or acid-free glue stick to the back of the tissue.
4
The Layout
Place the tissue GLUE-SIDE UP onto the inked plate in the desired position. Since the glue is facing up, it will touch the dampened backing paper as it goes through the press.
The Press Stack Order
PRESS BLANKETS
DAMPENED BACKING PAPER
TISSUE (GLUE SIDE UP)
INKED PLATE (FACE UP)
PRESS BED
Quick Troubleshooting
Tissue falling off?
Not enough glue or the backing paper was too dry. Ensure paper is blotted but still damp.
Bubbles in tissue?
Too much glue or trapped air. Flatten tissue with a clean, dry brush before printing.
