Printmaking has helped shape culture in all parts of the world. Originally used as a form of communication, printmaking is a valued artistic medium with unique technical qualities. To make a print, the artist typically creates an image on a flat surface.

One of the great benefits of printmaking (save for monotype) is that multiple impressions of the same design can be printed from a single matrix. Learn more about the various printmaking techniques below.

The advantage of printmaking is that lots of the same picture can be printed. This is called a print. Each print is not a copy, but an original, since it came from the same source (not like painting or drawing). You can also use different types of techniques to start the print.

An original print is a copy of an artwork that is made from the master image of that art piece. The master image is often carved into a durable material, such as stone, which is then used to produce a limited run of original prints.

However, there is one major difference between the two: etching is a chemical process while engraving is a physical process. The former uses an acid solution (etching agent) to etch lines into a surface, often leaving behind intricate and detailed designs.

Etching is traditionally the process of using strong acid or mordant to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in intaglio (incised) in the metal. In traditional pure etching, a metal plate (usually of copper, zinc or steel) is covered with a waxy ground which is resistant to acid.

Acid etching is done using hexafluorosilicic acid (H2SiF6) which, when anhydrous, is colourless. The acid is prepared by dissolving silica in a mixture of hydroelectric acid (hydrochloric acid), quartz powder, calcium fluoride, and concentrated sulfuric acid derived after heating.

Chemical etching is a high precision subtractive manufacturing process that uses baths of temperature regulated etching chemicals to selectively remove material to produce high precision metal parts in any desired shape.

Steps

1. Choose the type of steel you want to etch. You can etch stainless steel, mild steel, or high-carbon steel.
2. Remove any burrs on the edges of the steel.
3. Scrub the steel.
4. Rinse the steel with water.
5. Clean the steel a second time with isopropyl alcohol.

Hydrochloric acid is commonly used to etch copper, and it also works well on stainless steel. It must be handled carefully otherwise surface damage such as pitting can occur to the surface of the stainless steel. Copper sulfate is used to etch mild steels rather than stainless steel.

Whether it be a stainless steel knife or a random metal sheet, you can etch text, logo and whatever you like by applying vinegar method. You heard me right. You no longer need to take the metal object to a workshop and spend money to get it etched. The finishing of the work isn’t quite noticeable.

Stomach acid is strong enough to dissolve stainless steel in 4-5 days. Stomach acid is strong enough to dissolve stainless steel in 4-5 days.