20+ Differences between Etching and Engraving (Explained)

Etching and Engraving are two kinds of techniques that are used to make designs and patterns on a hard surface. Due to their similarities and purpose, these techniques are often confused with one another. Apart from their goal, both terms sound like synonyms and are used interchangeably many times.

Etching and Engraving are similar yet different. The significant difference between Etching and Engraving is that the former uses Acid to carve lines and designs while the latter uses a sharp object, known as Burin, to carve and create designs.

Comparison Between Etching And Engraving

Parameter	Etching	Engraving
Meaning & Purpose	An intaglio technique that carves different designs and patterns with the help of acid.	An intaglio technique that carves various designs and patterns with the help of a Burin.
Invention	Etching was invented after the emergence of Engraving. The traces of its invention lead us back to the 1500s.	The engraving was invented before the emergence of Etching. However, The traces of its invention leads us back to the 1430s.
Instruments	It uses Ground, Acid, Varnish/Wax, Ink, and an Etching Needle.	It uses Ground, Ink, and Burin.
Time	The process of Etching takes less time in comparison with Engraving.	The process of Engraving takes more time as compared with Etching.
Force	Making designs and patterns through Etching takes only a tiny amount of force.	It takes significant force to make designs and patterns through Engraving.
Durability	Designs and patterns made through Etching are less durable than those made through Engraving.	Designs and patterns made through Engraving are more durable than those made through Etching.
Depth	Incisions made by Etching are shorter than the incisions made by Engraving. Etching makes incisions that are about 0.001” deep.	Incisions made by Engraving are longer than the incisions made by Etching. Engraving makes incisions that range between 0.125” to 0.2”.
Color	Designs and patterns made through Etching can be found in black, grey, and white colors.	Designs and patterns made through Engraving can be found only in black color.
Metals	Etching can be done only on a few metals, such as Aluminium, Copper, Stainless Steel, Nickel, etc.	Engraving can be done on a large variety of metals such as Aluminium, Copper, Nickel, Brass, Titanium, Aluminium Alloys, Titanium Alloys, Hardened Metals, Stainless Steel, etc.

Major Differences Between Etching And Engraving

What exactly is Etching?

Etching is an intaglio carving technique that begins by cleaning the metal surface and ensuring it is smooth. Then, an acid-resistant wax or varnish is applied to the surface on which we would make the design.

After applying the varnish/wax, the designs are made with the help of an etching needle. After the completion of the design, it is dipped into the acid solution, which takes away the exposed parts of the surface, particularly the design, as the etching needle takes away the varnish/wax. Finally, after taking out the metal, we can see the engraved design.

Features of Etching

It is an intaglio technique that uses Acid to create various designs and patterns.

The surface of the metal, which is covered in varnish/wax, is known as the Ground.

The designs on the Ground are made with the help of Etching Needle.

The designs and patterns made by the Etching are generally moderately durable.

Etching creates only surface-level designs which are only 0.001” deep.

The designs and patterns created by Etching are generally black, grey, and white.

The most common metals on which Etching is done are Copper, Aluminium, Nickel, Stainless Steel, etc.

Key Differences: Etching

Etching is a carving technique that uses Acid to form the designs.

Etching creates designs and patterns that are less deep than the designs created by Engraving.

Etching makes patterns that have moderate durability.

Making designs and patterns through Etching takes less time than Engraving.

Etching is used only in a few articles.

What exactly is Engraving?

Engraving is another intaglio carving technique that begins by cleaning the surface and ensuring it is smooth. Just after this, the designs and patterns are made on the surface with the help of a sharp pen-like object known as a Burin.

This process takes more time because the designs have to be directly carved with Burin, which brings massive time. After the design is ready, ink is applied to the object’s surface. This ink gets collected in the carving of the design. Finally, the rest of the ink is taken away, and what is left is the design engraved.

Features of Engraving

It is an intaglio technique using a sharp pen-like object called Burin to create various designs and patterns.

The designs and patterns made by Engraving are highly durable.

Engraving requires a vast amount of time.

Engraving makes deeper designs that are about 0.02” to 0.125” deep.

The designs and patterns created by Engraving are generally black in color.

Engraving can be done with several metals such as Aluminium, Titanium & respective alloys, Brass, Copper, Steel Alloys, Stainless Steel, Hardened Metals, etc.

Key Differences – Engraving

Engraving is another carving technique using a sharp pen-like object called Burin.

Engraving creates designs and patterns which are more profound than the designs created by Etching.

Engraving makes patterns that have high durability.

The process of making designs and patterns through Engraving takes more time than Etching.

Engraving is used in several articles.

The Contrast Between Etching And Engraving

Origin of the word –

Etching: The word Etching originated from a Dutch word, “Esten,” which originated from a German word, “ätzen,” which means “to etch,” which originated from an Old High German word “azz on,” which means “give to eat, feed.”

Engraving: The word Engrave originated from two different words, i.e., “en” and “grave.” The word “en” originated from the French word “in,” which means “into,”; which originated from the Latin word “in,” which means “in, into.” The word “grave” originated from the Old English word “grain,” which means “to dig, carve, dig up, chisel.”

Purpose

Etching: The sole purpose of Etching is to carve the designs and patterns on a hard surface.

Engraving: Just like Etching, Engraving aims to carve designs and patterns on a hard surface.

Invention

Etching: Etching came into existence after Engraving came into emergence. The invention of Etching is estimated to be done in the 1500s.

Engraving: Engraving came into existence before Etching did. The invention of Engraving is estimated to be done in the 1430s.

Process

Etching: Cleaning the surface and checking its smoothness is the primary step of the process of Etching. After that, it is coated with a Varnish or a Wax that provides resistance against Acid. And then, the design or pattern is drawn with the help of an Etching Needle. Then, following the competition of the invention, it is poured into the Acid. At last, it is cleansed, and the Etched article is ready.

Engraving: The process of Engraving also begins with cleaning the surface and checking its smoothness. After that, the design is carved with the help of a sharp pen-like object known as a Burin. This step takes most of the time and leads us to the last stage of Engraving, i.e., coating the surface with ink and taking it away a while later so that ink gets collected in the engraved design.

Process of Etching and Engraving –

Etching

Clean the surface and make sure it is smooth.

Coat the surface with a layer of acid-resistant varnish or wax.

Use An Etching Needle and make the desired pattern you want to etch.

Throw or put the object in Acid.

Carefully remove the Acid from the thing. And it is ready.

Engraving

Clean the surface and its smoothness.

Carefully draw the desired design or pattern with the help of Burin.

After it is done, coat the surface of the object with ink.

Remove all the ink from the surface of the object. And it is ready.

Uses

Etching: Etching carves various designs and patterns with the help of acid.

Engraving: Engraving carves various designs and patterns with the help of Burin.

Instruments used

Etching: Various instruments used in the process of Etching are Ground, Varnish/Wax, Etching Needle, and Acid.

Engraving: Various instruments used in the process of Engraving are Ground, Burin, and Ink.

Durability

Etching: The designs and patterns made by Etching are less durable compared to Engraving.

Engraving: The designs and patterns made by Engraving are more durable than Etching.

Depth

Etching: The incisions made by Etching are shorter than those made by Engraving. On average, incisions of Etching are 0.001” deep.

Engraving: The incisions made by Engraving are longer than those made by Etching. On average, incisions of Engraving range from 0.02” to 0.125” deep.

Force

Etching: To do carving through the process of Etching, a small amount of force is needed.

Engraving: A large amount of force is needed to carve through the process of Engraving.

Time

Etching: The process of Etching consumes a lesser amount of time than the process of Engraving.

Engraving: The process of Engraving consumes more amount of time than the process of Etching.

Color

Etching: The designs and patterns of Etching usually come out in the colors black, grey, and white.

Engraving: The designs and patterns of Engraving come out only in black color.

Metals

Etching: Etching can be done only on a few metals such as Aluminium, Copper, Stainless Steel, Nickel, etc.

Engraving: Engraving can be done on a large variety of metals such as Aluminium, Copper, Nickel, Brass, Titanium, Aluminium Alloys, Titanium Alloys, Hardened Metals, Stainless Steel, etc.

Conclusion

Etching and Engraving are two of the widely used intaglio techniques that are very similar yet different. Since both techniques serve the same purpose, i.e., to carve different designs and patterns, both methods are often confused with one another.

Etching makes the use of Acid to create designs and patterns, while Engraving makes the use of Burin to make designs and patterns.

Another significant difference between Etching and Engraving is that the former is moderately durable and has fewer deep incisions. At the same time, the latter is highly durable and makes more deep incisions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Which method of carving makes deep incisions? Etching or Engraving?

It is Engraving that makes deeper incisions than Etching. The depth of incisions made by Etching is around 0.001” while the depth of incisions made by Engraving ranges from 0.02” to 0.125”.

Q2. How does Engraving take more force than Etching?

Etching makes designs and patterns with the help of a mere Etching Needle. It is straightforward to draw things with an Etching Needle. On the other hand, Engraving makes designs and patterns with the help of a very sharp pen-like object, Burin. In Engraving, an individual practically carves the whole design with Burin, and to do so, requires massive not only massive time but also an enormous amount of force.

Q3. What are the metals which can be graved?

Metals such as Aluminium, Copper, Nickel, Brass, Titanium, Aluminium Alloys, Titanium Alloys, Hardened Metals, Stainless Steel, etc., can be engraved. Etching provides minimal usage on metals; Engraving is done on several articles.

Q4. What are the significant differences between Etching and Engraving?

The major differences between Etching and Engraving are –
1. The traces of Etching can be traced back to the 1500s, while the paths of Engraving can be traced back to the 1430s.
2. Etching makes use of Acid, whereas Engraving makes use of Burin.
3. The instruments used in Etching are Ground, Varnish/Wax, Ink, and Etching Needle. On the other hand, Engraving uses Ground, Burin, and Ink.
4. The incisions made by Etching are around 0.001” long, while the incisions made by Engraving are approximately 0.02” to 0.125” long.
5. Designs and Patterns made by Etching are moderately durable, whereas designs and patterns created by Engraving are more durable.