Degreasing without ammonia

A short tutorial cross posted from printsy.

How to degrease your plate

Degreasing your etching plate is important when applying a ground, aquatint, or sugarlift because it allows the medium to stick to the plate. This is traditionally done with ammonia and whiting.

If you don't like the smell of ammonia (it is like rotten fish and pee), what works equally well is household grade powder cleanser like Ajax and soy sauce. You can actually use powder cleanser by itself, but it takes three times as much wiping effort.


You apply it in the same way. Add powder, add soy sauce, and wipe with a clean, grease free rag. Rinse with water.


You'll know when your plate is degreased because the water should stick to the entire plate instead of blobbing up.


Now don't touch it with your oily fingers. The end!