The acid-resistant ground protects the other areas. The printmaker removes the plate from the acid when the grooves are deep enough. The ground is removed. The printmaker covers the plate with thick, sticky ink, rubbing ink into all the grooves. The printmaker wipes the surface of the plate clean, so only the ink in the grooves is left.
Printmakers often use the side of their hand to wipe off the last traces of ink.
A sheet of damp paper is placed on top of the plate and padded with a blanket. They are rolled through the press. The paper picks up the ink in the grooves in the plate. When the paper is pulled away from the plate, the image has been printed on it in reverse. 2 Prepared by Karen Janovy, Curator of Education, Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and Sculpture Garden, March 1998.