The first step in creating a mezzotint is to ground the plate or rough the surface of the copper printing plate. You will need a rocker for this process. The rocker looks a bit like a flat metal spatula with a curved, toothed end. You may wish to own several rockers in different sizes and weights. This tool will be rocked over the entire plate, creating pits and burrs in the copper. Grounding the copper plate is a slow process, and one that cannot be rushed for a good-quality print. You can also purchase pre-rocked copper plates; however, many artists enjoy the control offered by grounding the plates.
The design is created on the grounded copper plate by scraping and burnishing. A pencil line drawing may be worked on the plate itself or traced onto the plate prior to starting the physical work of scraping and burnishing the copper. The more an area is scraped and burnished, the less ink will transfer. Smooth areas will print as white, a slightly roughened area as a light gray, and unburnished areas as black. Mezzotint allows a wide range of shades to create depth and detail in a single color print. Most artists work from a drawing; however, an image can be created directly on the grounded copper plate.
Ink is applied to the plate using a small rubber roller. Mezzotint ink is thick and sticky and will quickly sink into the copper plate. Wipe away the excess ink from the plate. The roughened surface will hold ink, while the burnished areas will not. Place the plate, inked side up, on an intaglio press. Place a clean sheet of paper over the plate and run it through the press. Lift the paper carefully off of the copper plate and you will have a stunning mezzotint image. Mezzotint plates typically produce approximately 50 good-quality prints before showing wear.