Searching for information regarding half-tone engraving.

[Masgrimes]

Hello! I'm still a bit new to the forum, so I apologize if this is in the wrong place.

I'm working on a lettering piece that has some washes in it. These areas of solid color would typically be reproduced as half-tones in turn-of-the-century ephemera, and I'm curious if anyone has a recommendation for material to learn more about half-tone engravers.

I was recently told by a friend that the process involves grinding various grits of sand(?) into the plate, making an impression to check, and then grinding more? Surely there's not a chemical way to create a half-tone?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

David

 

[JJ Roberts]

Dave, I have a book The Story of American Bank Note Company you would find very interesting. J.J.

 

[Masgrimes]

Dave, I have a book The Story of American Bank Note Company you would find very interesting. J.J.

Hello JJ!

Thanks for the recommendation! I will pick a copy up.

David