Stippling

The point stitch, also Punzenstich or Opus Mallei is a graphical gravure printing process. The pictorial representation arises not from lines or areas, but only from points in different thickness and density, which result in a grid. In modern graphics this technique is rare.

The engraving process point stitch is to be distinguished from the etching process puncturing manner.

For the point engraving are in the pressure plate, which usually consists of a polished copper plate, stamped dot-like depressions, which give different brightnesses.

For the stipple these wells are teased in an applied this pressure plate hard ground and then etched with acid into the pressure plate. Different brightnesses arise by how closely set points, or how deep they are etched.

The stipple is an etching method similar to that was in use particularly in the 18th century. A variant is the crayon.