2 Etching
This method admits greater freedom of handling than graver work. The design is drawn through a resisting ground with the etching point, and the exposed lines on the surface of the copper corroded to the requisite depth with aquafortis, the finishing of the work being usually done with the graver.
Machine ruling or tinting is now much used in conjunction with line engraving and etching, for the even tints of skies and level surfaces in pictorial work, and for the symbolical lines denoting tinctures in heraldry, of which several examples are given.
Steel-plates were used for engraving very fine work, or when large numbers of copies were required to be printed from the plate. Any advantage over copper which steel formerly possessed is now neutralised by the process known as steel facing, that is, coating the copper plate with an electro deposit of iron.
Copper-plate printing, as it is termed, though giving the most perfect result, is slow and tedious, and necessarily costly. A much speedier method of printing—by Lithography—is now much used instead, transfers from the engraved plate being put on the lithographic stone and printed therefrom, the original plate being retained intact. (See examples under Lithography).
Some early examples of etched plates are given. The urn design of Charles Bragge, Armorial Landscape, and Bewickian Landscape show the character and handling of etched work as distinguished from line engraving. Other examples illustrate the combination of Line, Etching, and Machine Ruling work.