Core Features
- A double-ended solid steel etching needle, designed to create precise lines and rich tonal depth for intaglio printmaking. Perfect for versatile mark making, allowing you to fluidly pull or press lines into both traditional and modern drypoint plates
- The twisted grip has been crafted with a distinct twisted barrel that provides a textured, comfortable grip for enhanced precision. The symmetrical design ensures a balanced weight distribution through your hand for consistent control.
- The dual tip reduces how often you need to interrupt your creative flow to sharpen the tool with a stone. If one point begins to dull, simply flip the needle over to continue immediately.
- The 17.8cm length has been optimised to mimic the feel of a standard pen or pencil, offering natural handling and leverage.
- This tool is suitable for both beginners who are taking their first steps in printmaking and more confident and experienced artists searching for reliable control, high-quality and durability.
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Description
The Artway Twisted Steel Etching Needle is designed for effortless mark-making, offering the precision needed to translate your sketches and marks into delicate prints. Whether you are scribing into traditional metals or modern synthetic mediums, its balanced handling makes it an essential companion for any creative studio space.
Unlike relief printing methods (such as lino cutting) where you carve away the background to print from the raised surface, intaglio printing involves scribing your marks directly into the plate. The ink is then embedded deeply into the grooves you have created, and transferred onto paper using high pressure.
To break it down, the traditional process involves four steps:
- Scribe: Use your steel needle like a pencil to scratch, draw, and press your marks directly onto the plate's surface.
- Ink: Apply a high-viscosity etching ink across the plate, pushing it deep into your newly scribed grooves.
- Wipe: Carefully wipe the flat surface of the plate completely clean, leaving only ink inside the lines you have made.
- Press: Place a sheet of dampened heavyweight paper over the plate and apply pressure to pull the ink out of the grooves and onto your page.
Care and maintenance
To preserve your needle's performance, keep the twin points razor-sharp by occasionally rotating the tips at an angle against a sharpening stone. Always store your tool in a dry studio environment to protect the integrity of the solid steel finish.
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