Etching Method

Several methods are used to produce a metal plate (zinc or copper) that has an etched surface for printing. The metal plate is first coated with soft ground or gutta percha. A leaf or other subject is pressed into the soft wax ground. When the subject is pulled off the plate some of the ground is removed so an image can be etched into the plate with acid.

In another variation a roller is used to coat a leaf with printing ink. When the leaf is pressed onto a clean copper plate an inky impression remains. A powdered resin is then dusted on the wet ink and the metal plate is heated to melt the resin.