An etching story: making and printing a multi-colour copper plate etching

This video shows the creation of my two plate etching "On the Right Path". Two copper plates are etched in ferric chloride using acrylic resist. The plates are inked up and printed using an etching press.

[@Greenfuego]

I’ve seen your work on Twitter. Glad I found this video that shows the two-player process. We are just learning it in my college class. Now it makes more sense.

[@blueicemountain6831]

Thank you so much for this video, I've been trying to explain the etching process to my family for so long and it's deeply confusing if you aren't a printmaker and can't see the process. This helped so much in clarifying it! Also, your work is absolutely GORGEOUS!

[@johnhibbert6006]

I really enjoyed watching your video, it's wonderful to watch the etching take shape as you go through each stage and sharing with you that moment as you lift the print from the press.

[@junemacdonald44]

The way you got that sky to come out is stunning. Spit bite is my preferred aquatint technique but I have to get to work getting on this level!

[@carylpark7192]

Your artwork is simply breath taking. Absolutely beautiful. 💓

[@mattbutterworth]

Thank you. Great explanation and beautiful work.

[@artistanilbkrishna7552]

❤❤😊

[@angierahui]

I enjoyed watching your process & the end result is magnificent ❤️ Thank you.

[@joelcasemore648]

Wonderful work. Thank you

[@SnakeArtist]

Skillful and beautiful work

[@laurachapman6633]

Wow 😯 😍

[@elcidbob]

"It works a bit like a mangle." Thank. Much more clear. ;)

[@jennyhughes4474]

Beautiful print, so much work, thank you! When you wash off the acid & resist do you put it down the sink? Because I worry that even putting my acrylic paint water down isn't good, I just don't know what to do. I put all my solvent stuff (rags with white spirit) in bags and take them to the place where they dispose of them properly but there's no info about this other stuff us artists use e.g. paper with acrylic paint (plastic) on = into the paper recycling or not?

[@-SANDMAN-]

I used to work for a small printing outfit called the Printing Post in Hialeah, Florida back in the 90s and forgot the proper title to mention in my resume. I used to run the etched copper plates through a very large table-like machine that used rollers to guide the copper plate through several vats of solutions. I would periodically refresh the concentrations from various jugs or plastic drums. The business printed b&w and 2 to 3 color business cards and brochures. Then I would rinse the plates and the guys in the printing area would use them. I used Quark to set up print jobs from the plates. I never knew what my title was as I was young and am now turning 50. Would you know what such a title would be? I always thought the process was called "Offset Print Lithography" but I could be wrong.

[@RebeccaVincentArt]

Most commercial printing is offset lithography but the plates wouldn't be copper. They'd be zinc or aluminium or an alloy I think.

[@-SANDMAN-]

@@RebeccaVincentArt You’re right, they must have been aluminum, perhaps zinc coated. They were quite flexible but sharp cornered, enough to cut your finger on and they made that funny metal-flex sound when you shook em. Thank you for the reply.

[@SharonHallidayScotland]

Wonderful video (and print!)! I love seeing how people work. I was wondering what resists you are using?

[@stefflus08]

Very Nice! The resulting Copper chloride from etching in Ferric chloride is very unfortunate. I only etch circuit boards, but prefer etching with Sodium persulfate.

[@natalialima2474]

hello! art student from brazil here, we are leraning this tecniche now, and i was wondering, what is this thing yo used to check if it was enoug time on the acid? (2:38) tha would help me a lot...and amazing work! colour on metal is always impressive :)

[@RebeccaVincentArt]

It's a hand held magnifier with build in light

[@mh167434]

Is there any chemical better and safer like using vinegar or cocoa cola bottle to eat the lines to make them darker details??

[@anthonyfranks858]

Hi fantastic to watch. I have a tap refurbishment business and came across a copper plate with a bath/ shower tap on it is there any way I can get prints from it to use Kind regards Anthony Franks.

[@kikeheebchinkjigaboo6631]

Isn’t there a much safer technique

[@stourleykracklite7663]

Ok, I give up- what is it?

[@sarahbreisch4750]

@@stourleykracklite7663 solar plates?

[@mh167434]

I don’t like the chemicals you are using because I don’t wanted stain anywhere in the floor or catch on fire and it’s dangerous.