Job Description:

• 1) Etches metal photographic plates to produce photoengraved printing plates, using etching machines, handtools, and chemicals: Mixes caustic or acid solutions according to type metal plate being etched.

• 2) Brushes protective solution on back and edges of metal plate to protect plate during etching process.

• 3) Brushes protective powder over photographic emulsion on plate to protect printing design.

• 4) Bakes plate to adhere powder to design, using gas heating plate.

• 5) Mounts plate in etching machine and starts machine that sprays acid or caustic solution against plate to etch areas not protected by resist solution or powder.

• 6) Removes and measures plate to determine depth of etching, using depth gauge, and remounts plate in machine when etching has not attained specified depth.

• 7) Washes and scrubs etched plates to remove resist solutions and photographic emulsion, using brush and caustic solution.

• 8) Dries plates, using chamois cloth.

• 9) Matches colors with original artwork of multicolor photographic plates to produce balanced color valves, applying knowledge of photographic printing process.

• 10) May weigh plates before and after etching to determine amounts of etching solutions to be added to machine, using scales.

• 11) May be designated according to type of plate etched as Copper Etcher; Zinc Etcher.