HDTutorial
EN
How to Etch with White Vinegar (Kitchen Lithography Variation)

Playback starts YouTube’s embedded player (privacy-enhanced mode).

How to Etch with White Vinegar (Kitchen Lithography Variation)

2,984,789 views October 25, 2012 7:52

Watch on YouTube
Channeljjewelart

In brief

You’ll create etched prints using white vinegar instead of traditional lithography acids, making a budget-friendly and reusable alternative. This method suits beginners or artists looking for a simple, kitchen-friendly approach to lithography. The creator demonstrates how to achieve clear, crisp results with everyday materials.

Key steps

  1. Draw your design on aluminum foil with a litho crayon (dull side up).
  2. Submerge the foil in a plastic tub of white vinegar to etch the design.
  3. Transfer the ink to paper using a spoon or etching press.

Questions & answers

What type of aluminum foil should I use?

Heavy-duty aluminum foil, with the dull side facing up for drawing.

Do I need an etching press, or can I use a spoon?

Both work; the video shows using a spoon as an alternative.

Description from the creator

Last week I happened upon videos about kitchen lithography. It got me very excited! I couldn't wait to try the process out for myself. But, what occurred to me was that it was the acidic properties of cola that was responsible for the etch. This led me to believe that white vinegar might be a more practical alternative to etch with. Practical in the sense that it's just as acidic as cola, can be re-used many times, thereby becoming more cost effective. As you can see by the results on the video, the process works equally as well using white vinegar as the etch instead of cola. Here is a list of the materials you'll need to do the process yourself:

1. Heavy Duty aluminum foil (Use dull side to work on)
2. Gloves
3. Litho crayon
4. Piece of plexi-glass
5. Vegetable oil
6. Paper towels
7. Plastic tub
8. White vinegar
9. Water
10. Etching or relief ink
11. Brayer
12. Sponges
13. Trays for water
14. Paper
15. Spoon or etching press

I plan to try more experiments using white vinegar in the future. Will post more results for you to see.

P.S. I had two semesters of lithography at community college so I know what I'm talking about. :) (ha ha!)

About this tutorial

jjewelart published this 7:52 video tutorial on October 25, 2012. It has been watched 2,984,789 times on YouTube.

Channel
jjewelart
Duration
7:52
Published
October 25, 2012
Views
2,984,789
Likes
12,563

Share

Further reading

This tutorial in other languages