FROM ROUGH METAL TO HIGHLY POLISHED PLATE

I continue to prepare the etching plate which is now scratched on the surface and has sharp cutting edges.

First a metal file is used to round the corners and a scraper and burnisher are used to bevel the edges. If edges are too high and sharp the  paper will be torn during printing.

That done, with fine sandpaper and metal polish, the surface must be polished to a mirror-like finish.

DON'T forget to use gloves.  I love to dirty my hands while I work but this can really be messy at times.