The first number indicates the number of the print and the second number indicates the total number of prints in the edition. By carving into the surface of a metal plate an image can be created. The metal plate is usually made of copper or zinc. Ink is applied to the plate and is absorbed into the grooves produced by carving. The surface of the plate is then rubbed clean.
Paper is place on top of the plate and is run through a press.
The pressure of the press releases the ink within the grooves of the plate onto the paper thereby creating the image. An image is carved out of a block made of a rigid material. The remaining image is printed by applying ink to the surface of the block, placing paper on top of it and then either rubbing the back of the paper or running the block and paper through a press. After the image is drawn or transferred onto the stone it is dampened and rolled with ink. This process uses the natural repulsion of oil and water to separate the areas that receive and reject ink to create the printed image.