Engraving

Engraving, art of cutting lines in wood, metal, or some other material to produce writing, ornamental designs, or illustrations. Most often, engraving means incising designs or illustrations onto a block or plate for reproduction by printing. The prints obtained by this process are also called engravings. In relief engraving, the background is cut away, leaving a raised design as the printing surface, while the more common intaglio process involves cutting the design into the block or plate, leaving concave traces that hold the ink. Various metals have been used as plates. Because of its durability, steel was fashionable in the 19th century. Copper, although subject to rapid wear, gives higher-quality results. The design may be cut into the metal with a sharp tool or with acid.