What is the difference between drypoint and engraving?

The difference between drypoint and engraving is that these two types of prints involve different techniques. An engraving is a print made by incising lines into a metal plate with a sharp tool called a burin. After the image is drawn, the plate is inked, wiped clean, and then firmly pressed to paper so the ink remaining in the incised grooves is transferred. Considerable force is required to mark the metal, so the lines made by engraving tend to be stronger than those made through etching and characterized by gentle tapering. Light and shade have to be created through cross-hatching since the technique is line-based. Drypoint is similar to engraving in that an artist incises a metal plate with a sharp tool. As the metal is carved, metal shavings, also called the burr, build up in the grooves. But unlike with engraving, the burr is not cleaned away with drypoint, resulting in very soft, velvety lines. Since the burr slowly wears away with each printing, fewer impressions can be made, and the first impression tends to be stronger than the last, a characteristic that sets the technique apart from many other printing methods. Explore a selection of engravings and drypoint prints on 1stDibs.