retroussage

[ re-truh-sahzh; French ruh-troo-sazh ]

noun

1. the technique or action, in etching or engraving, of drawing up ink from within the incised lines of an inked plate by deftly passing a soft cloth across its surface in order to spread ink to the adjacent areas.

Word History and Origins

Origin of retroussage¹

1955–60; < French: a turning up, equivalent to retrouss ( er ) ( retroussé ) + -age -age

Example Sentences

Retroussage, re-trōō-sazh′, n. a method of producing effective tones in the printing of etchings by skilful treatment of the ink in certain parts.

From Project Gutenberg

To produce the proper effect the retroussage must be general; because, if the rag passes over one passage only, and not over the others, or, if it is brought into play only on the dark parts, and not in the lights, there will be discordance of tone, and consequently want of harmony.

From Project Gutenberg

In the present case, therefore, retroussage would be unsatisfactory, because the work on your plate, while it is broadly treated in some parts, is so close in others that there is no room left between the furrows.

From Project Gutenberg

It follows that there is no place for the ink, drawn out of the lines, to spread on; the result would be a muddy tint,—one of those overcharged impressions which bring criticism upon the printer, because he has applied retroussage to a plate which did not need it.

From Project Gutenberg

This method of wiping, which leaves on the surface of the plate a tint of more or less depth, must not be confounded with retroussage.

From Project Gutenberg