Etching Workshop Directions and Tips

Before Class:

  1. Have metal plates already covered in asphaltum before class begins, as it will take 2-3 days to dry.
  2. Have students prepare a design before class
  3. Lay down newspaper to protect work surfaces

Steps:

  1. Find a plate and bevel the edges
  2. Coat a zinc plate with asphaltum
  3. Etch a design into the asphaltum so that you can see some of the zinc, but do not etch into the zinc plate
  4. Make a nitric acid and water solution that is about 1:5- (acid to water ratio).
    • When making the solution, add the acid to the water to prevent unnecessary chemical reactions
  5. Place the plate in the acid solution for 5-10 minutes (in this activity we were doing a medium to fast process). While the plate is in the solution, circulate the solution to prevent bubbles from sitting on plate as this would cause inconsistencies in etching
  6. Take the plate out of the solution and wash thoroughly with water
  7. Prepare animal bedding in container
  8. In a well-ventilated area, pour mineral spirits on the plate over the container with animal bedding
  9. Use a cloth, animal bedding pieces, or other absorbent material to completely remove the asphaltum- be careful with sharp pieces that may scratch or damage the plate
  10. Prepare the ink- the ink used in class was black, blue, and brown but other colors are acceptable as well
  11. Smooth the ink over the plate until each line is filled
  12. Remove excess ink from the surface- depending on how deep your incisions are you will either use a card to scrape off ink or use a q-tip to gently wipe off areas you don’t want saturated with ink
  13. Place the plate on a piece of paper and run the paper and plate through a press

Tips:

  • Wear apron or messy clothes that you do not care about when doing this workshop.
  • Have gloves and eye protection ready.
  • Always add acid to water! (You may use tap water )
  • Rate of reaction tips:
    • 1:5 ratio of acid to water
    • 1:3 for faster etch (thick lines)
    • 1:7 for slower etch (delicate lines)
  • You only need to scratch through asphaltum. (the acid will etch the metal for you)
  • Simple, linear/abstract designs are easier to etch.
  • Shake the ink to mix the pigments as they may have settled to the bottom in storage.
  • Thin lines will hold the ink better.
  • To shade, make use of cross-hatching technique.
  • You can manipulate how your design will turn out by using a q-tip to take away or add more ink to a desired area. This will create highlights and shadows, respectfully.
  • Be mindful of how ink application will affect print (plate edges, plate tinting, etc.)

Helpful website: https://www.moma.org/interactives/projects/2001/whatisaprint/

Safety:

  • Bevel the zinc plate prior to etching to prevent sharp corners.
  • Wear apron or alternative clothing protection to protect against ink stains or chemical spillage.
  • Handle needle-tool as if they were scissors, keep point away from bodies.
  • In case of acid gets on skin rinse affected area for at least 15 minutes
  • Have an acid spill kit available during workshop
  • Wear non-porous gloves when handling acid or acid-soaked plates.
  • Add the acid INTO a water pan in order to avoid superheating the liquid.
  • Do not ingest, inhale, or soak in the acid solution.
  • Do not overexpose yourself or others to mineral spirit.
  • Wear non-porous gloves while working with the mineral spirit.
  • Handle in a well-ventilated area, such as the outdoors.