To create fine lines in an etching, an artist uses a sharp pointed tool called an etching needle or burin to directly scratch or carve lines onto a metal plate coated with a thin layer of wax or acid-resistant ground. The artist then uses acid to bite into the exposed lines on the plate, which creates recessed grooves that will hold ink. The finer the lines are etched into the plate, the more detailed and delicate the final image will be. The plate is then inked and pressed onto paper to create the final print. The depth and width of the lines can be controlled by the pressure applied to the needle, the angle at which it is held, and the amount of time the plate is left in the acid.
