engraving

Engraving is the practice of incising a design onto a hard surface by cutting grooves into it with a sharp tool. In printmaking, engraving refers specifically to an intaglio technique in which a metal plate—most often copper or zinc—is incised with a burin or graver to create the image. The incised lines hold ink, which is transferred to paper under pressure.

Techniques and materials: Tools include burins, gravers, and sometimes automated devices; materials include metal plates (copper or zinc) for traditional engraving. Wood blocks are used in a related relief technique called wood engraving. The process involves preparing the plate, laying out the design, incising lines with controlled pressure, and cleaning and inking the plate.

Printing process: The ink is forced into the incised lines, the surface is carefully wiped to remove ink from the surface, leaving ink only in grooves; paper is pressed onto the plate, often with a printing press, to transfer the ink. Shading and texture are achieved via line thickness, cross-hatching, and the depth of the cuts.

History and applications: Engraving developed in 15th-century Europe as a major method of original printmaking; famous practitioners include Martin Schongauer and Albrecht Dürer. The technique also extends to decorative work on metal objects, coins, and medals, as well as inscriptions. In contemporary practice, engraving encompasses laser engraving and other machine-based methods used to mark and decorate a range of materials.