Select the correct chronological order of Etching printmaking process:

(A) Inking the plate

(B) Drawing with needle

(C) Dipping plate in etchaut

(D) Applying etchaut ground

(E) Biting of metal plate

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(D), (B), (C), (E), (A)

The correct answer is Option 4- (D), (B), (C), (E), (A)

(D) Applying etchant ground
(B) Drawing with needle
(C) Dipping plate in etchant
(E) Biting of metal plate
(A) Inking the plate

Opposite to woodcut, the raised portions of an etching remain blank while the crevices hold the ink. In pure etching, copper, zinc or steel plate is covered with wax or acrylic ground. An artist, then, draws through the ground with a pointed etching needle. The exposed metal lines are, then, etched by dipping the plate in a bath of etchant (e.g., nitric acid or ferric chloride). The etchant ‘bites’ into the exposed metal, leaving behind lines in the plate. The remaining ground is, then, cleaned off the plate. To make a print, the plate is inked all over, and then, the ink is wiped off the surface, leaving only ink in the etched lines. The plate is, then, put through a high-pressure printing press together with a sheet of paper (often moistened to soften it). The paper picks up the ink from the etched lines, making a print. The process can be repeated many times and several impressions (copies) can be printed.