Editing Drypoint (section)

{{short description|Intaglio printmaking technique}}
[[File:Lesser Ury Dame im Kaffee.jpg|thumb|''Woman in Cafe'', drypoint with [[Burr (metal)|burr]] by [[Lesser Ury]]]]
[[File:E.T. Daniell - Surlingham Ferry - looking towards Norwich.jpg|thumb|''Surlingham Ferry - looking towards Norwich'', drypoint with very rich burr by [[Edward Thomas Daniell]]]]
'''Drypoint''' is a [[printmaking]] technique of the [[intaglio (printmaking)|intaglio]] family, in which an image is incised into a plate (or "matrix") with a hard-pointed "needle" of sharp metal or diamond point. In principle, the method is practically identical to [[engraving]]. The difference is in the use of tools, and that the raised ridge along the furrow is not scraped or filed away as in engraving.<ref>[http://www.catrais.org/catraisorg/Glossary.html Glossary of Printmaking Terms]</ref> Traditionally the plate was [[copper]], but now [[cellulose acetate|acetate]], [[zinc]], or [[plexiglas]] are also commonly used.  

Like [[etching]], drypoint is easier to master than [[engraving]] for an artist trained in drawing because the technique of using the needle is closer to using a pencil than the [[Burin (engraving)|engraver's burin]].  The incision into the plate is also typically much more shallow, so requiring less effort and technical skill in the use of the engraver's burin, but meaning that fewer impressions (copies) of a print can be pulled before wear to the plate becomes apparent. Modern limited editions of drypoint prints (if not steelfaced) very often have fewer than thirty impressions.

The technique can be used on a plate in conjunction with other intaglio techniques, and has very often been so used, especially with etching and engraving.

The term is also used for inkless scratched inscriptions, such as glosses in manuscripts.