Etching plates are hand crafted, using a combination of techniques, including immersion in acid, to create a surface which holds the ink and enables a print to be taken.

Using a manual press, the artist runs off a number of prints. The amount will vary according to the type of metal used, I use zinc plates and normally do between 30 and 50 copies.

The printmaker has to ink up the plate each time, so each print is individual and may vary. Prints are signed either a/p, which is the artists first proofs or a number eg 4/30. This indicates that it is the 4th print to be taken in a run limited to 30 prints. Once 30 prints are taken, the artist is expected to destroy the plate so that no further prints can be taken.

All prices are for unframed prints