Engraving is an intaglio printmaking process in which lines or grooves are cut directly into metal or wood with a steel cutting tool called a burin. The grooves act as channels or reservoirs for holding ink, which is then transferred to paper when the block is run through a printing press along with a stack of blank sheets.
The engraving process can be finished by hand, using a variety of different tools and techniques, or it can be done mechanically with a machine called an engraving pantograph.
There are a few different types of engraving, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Relief engraving is the most common type, as it can be done quickly and easily with a variety of tools. Intaglio engraving is more difficult and time-consuming, but it produces much finer and more detailed results.
Engraving can be used for a variety of purposes, from creating artwork to personalizing gifts to making tools and dies for manufacturing. It is a versatile technique that can be used on many different materials, including metal, wood, plastic, glass, and stone.
