What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
etching
Example
The artist created an etching by using acid to etch a design onto a copper plate. [etching: noun]
Example
She etched her name into the tree trunk with a pocket knife. [etched: past tense verb]
intaglio
Example
The intaglio print was created by incising the design into a copper plate. [intaglio: noun]
Example
The jeweler used an intaglio technique to carve a design into the gemstone. [intaglio: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Etching is more commonly used than intaglio in everyday language, especially in the context of printmaking. However, intaglio is still widely used in the art world and in commercial printing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between etching and intaglio?
Both etching and intaglio are formal words that are typically used in artistic and professional contexts. However, intaglio may be considered slightly more formal due to its association with commercial printing and its use in specialized fields such as numismatics (the study of coins and currency).
