The Essentials of Illustration / A Practical Guide to the Reproduction of Drawings & Photographs for the Use of Scientists & Others

by Thomas George Hill

The plate may next be "rolled over" with an ink which will more stoutly resist the action of the acid than that used in the first inking, but prior to this it is usual to soak the plate in a mixture of gallic acid, phosphoric acid and gum. This second rolling up must be carried out as if the plate were for lithographic reproduction; and, when dry, powdered resin may be applied, in order to make a better acid-resist, as in the preparation of a lithographic stone.

The plate is now etched slightly in a weak solution of nitric acid; it is then rinsed, dabbed dry and placed upon a hot plate until the resin has stuck well to the ink. When cool, the margins, sides and back are protected from the action of the acid by means of a varnish and the plate is given its first real etch, which is a very slight one. After rinsing and drying, the plate is again heated until the ink and resin have melted and flowed down the exposed sides of the ridges of metal produced in the first etching. This application of ink and resin must be repeated in order that the exposed sides of the ridges may be well covered with the acid-resist and so will not be undercut. The plate is then given its second etch, and this is done with a stronger acid, after which the sides of the lines are again protected with resinous material in the same way as before. The third etch follows, after which the metal is thoroughly cleansed from all the ink, etc.

In order to smooth the shoulders of the lines, the plate is given a finishing etch: the cleaned plate is warmed and rolled up with hard etching ink; the metal is then heated until the ink becomes glazed, and, when cool, is placed in the acid bath for the requisite amount of time. If necessary the plate, after cleaning, is touched up with a graver, and the superfluous metal is cut away. Finally it is mounted on a block of wood, and after the corners and sides have been trimmed square, the block is ready for the press.

To illustrate the enormous improvement which may result from the block passing through the hands of a skilful engraver, two line blocks of a wood engraving by Riocreux (see p. 36) have been prepared. Fig. 7 is the impression given by the block as ordinarily turned out, whilst Fig. 8 is a precisely similar block which has been worked up by an engraver.

Fig. 7