Glossary of terms for Intaglio Printmaking

Aquatint - An etching technique in which the etching plate is coated with powdered resin and then placed in an acid bath, resulting in prints with toned passages of fine granular effect.

Bevel - The edges of a plate filed into a rounded or sloping surface.

Bite, Biting, Bitten - A term used to describe the mordant or corrosive action of acid on a metal plate.

Blanket - Pressed or woven wool felts used on an etching press to apply a cushioning pressure to the paper.

Burin - The basic tool for engraving- a square or lozenge shaped metal rod with sharp point secured in a handle- used in cutting lines into and lifting tendrils of metal from the surface of a plate. Also called a graver.

Burnishing - A process associated with aqauatint and other intaglio techniques, in which a smooth, rounded tool is rubbed against a plate and used to flatten roughened areas in a design so that they will accept less or no ink during inking and print a paler tone or not at all.

Burr - The ridge of copper raised by a drypoint needle as it scratches the surface of a metal plate which then holds ink and prints a rich velvety tone.

Dabber - Cotton pad covered with silk or smooth leather and used for spreading ink over a printing surface or for distributing melted ground over an etching plate.

Drypoint - An intaglio technique in which the artist inscribes the image onto a copper plate with a needle. The incising process leaves a ragged edge, or burr, which holds the ink and gives the drypoint line its characteristic velvety look.

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