a cutting tool called a burin, held in the hand--in which case the process is called engraving; or through the corrosive action of acid--in which case the process is known as etching.

In etching, for example, the plate is covered in a thin, acid-resistant resin or wax ground. Using etching needles or burins, the artist or writer (etcher) engraves their image through the ground to expose the plate beneath. The plate's ground side is then dipped into acid, or the acid poured onto it. The acid