Engraving became a popular medium in the 1430s and was developed from the style of decorating by goldsmiths. Etching soon followed and is believed to have been invented by Daniel Hopfer. Challenging the popularity of engraving, etching was easier to learn by those trained in drawing. In the 20th century, engraving was revived as an art form by several artists, including Stanley William Hayter.
Other types of printing techniques that use printing plates include mezzotint, drypoint and aquatint. Mezzotints are a variation of engraving that requires the press plate to be rough and smoothing out the surface to create the image.
Also a variant of engraving, drypoints use a sharper tool that give the print a softer, often blurry line quality. This style of engraving is usually only good for making limited runs of an image, as the pressure involved in the printing process destroys the plate.
Aquatints are a variation of etching that uses a powdered rosin. The acid-resistant rosin is baked onto the plate and then scraped or scratched off to create tonal qualities after the acid is applied.
After the plates are made, they are inked. Removing excess ink, the plates are then placed on a press consisting of two large wheels. Paper is then laid down on top of the plate and rolled through the press, forcing the ink out of the grooves and creating the positive image on the paper. Properly cleaned, a press plate can make from 10 to hundreds of impressions.