Drypoint Etching - make gift tags, cards and labels

Did you know that nearly all the images I use to promote my printmaking workshops are real-life ones, taken during the workshop itself - often by someone who’s never printed before? I think it’s reassuring to see what beginners can achieve; it takes the pressure off and shows that you absolutely can do this.

But every now and then a new workshop idea comes along and I need to make up samples to photograph. I’ve got a collaboration with Westwell Wines coming up in March 2026 and I thought you might like to come along on the journey with me - from design through to the finished print.

<<JUMP TO INSTRUCTIONS>>

We’ll be printing our own wine labels using drypoint etching, a type of intaglio printing, but with a twist: the plate is made from an ordinary Tetrapak carton. It fits perfectly with Westwell’s ethos of sustainability and reuse, plus if you’ve seen their gorgeous hand drawn labels, inspired by microscopic soil particles to the inside of the tanks - yes, really - then you’ll know why we just had to do this one.

I’m really excited about it - a Sunday morning walk around the vineyard collecting ideas, designing, printing your own label on a 19th-century press, fixing it to your bottle of Westwell wine, then finishing with a glass of something and nibbles. There’ll be an optional wine tasting that you can book too.

BOOKING LINK COMING SOON…

This tutorial covers the technique I’ll be using for the workshop, but it’s also something you can easily do at home. Turn your prints into gift tags, greetings cards, jam and chutney labels, or the perfect finishing touch for bottles of homemade sloe gin or blackberry whiskey.

GET MONTHLY TUTORIALS LIKE THIS SENT TO YOUR INBOX 

This activity was December’s featured PRINT CLUB tutorial. Get print and craft tutorials sent to your inbox each month by joining the mailing list HERE.

You’ll automatically become a member of PRINT CLUB which means you also get two complimentary online workshops each year, 30% off selected workshops, exclusive invitations to exhibition previews and studio events, plus a monthly What’s On...newsletter.

PRINT YOUR OWN GIFT TAGS, CARDS AND LABELS

Drypoint etching tutorial

You will need:

• Clean and dry tetrapak carton - make sure it has a metallic inside

  
  

• Scissors

  
  

• Simple design

  
  

• Tracing paper

  
  

• Pencil

  
  

• Permanent marker pen

  
  

• Implements to scratch into the surface of the Tetrapak - Eg. Craft knife, awl, needle

  
  

• Intaglio ink in your choice of colour

  
  

• Rubber gloves

  
  

• Scrim/old cotton rags, cotton buds, kitchen roll

  
  

• Paper 200gsm - 350gsm (I’m using a shade of grey)

  
  

• Shallow container big enough to hold your paper, filled with water

  
  

• Clean tea towel or kitchen roll

  
  

• Large metal spoon (or printing press)

HOW TO 

1. Prepare your Tetrapak plate 

1. Cut your Tetrapak open so it lies flat.

2. Rinse it and dry it thoroughly.

3. You’ll see the inside is a thin, metallic-looking surface - this is what you’ll be etching into.

4. Cut out a piece slightly larger than your design.

Tip: Any folds in the plate will show up on your print so either avoid them or embrace them, it’s up to you.

2. Transfer your design 

1. Trace or draw your design straight onto tracing paper in pencil.

2. Flip the tracing paper over (so the design becomes reversed) and the pencil marks are facing down.

3. Place it onto the Tetrapak and rub gently with a pencil to transfer the lines.

4. Go over the transferred lines on the Tetrapak with a permanent marker so you can see them clearly while you work.

Remember: Any text must be backwards on the Tetrapak so it prints the right way round.

3. Etch the plate (scratch your lines) 

1. Using your chosen tools (awl, craft knife, etching needle, pin, etc.), begin scratching along your drawn lines to reveal the paper layer beneath

2. For large solid areas, score the metallic surface and carefully peel the top layer off.

3. Experiment with:

• Fine lines: light pressure

• Bold lines: deeper scratching

• Shaded areas: cross-hatching or lots of tiny lines

4. Once you’ve etched everything, brush off any loose bits.

Tip: You’re creating grooves and areas that will trap ink i.e where you’ve broken the surface that’s where your ink will be.

4. Soak your printing paper 

1. Place your paper in a shallow tray of clean water while you ink up your plate - about 5 - 10 minutes

5. Ink the plate 

1. Put on rubber gloves.

2. Using a small piece cut from the Tetrapak, scrape the ink over the design and work it into all the scratched lines and marks. Really work it in.

3. Use a new piece cut from the Tetrapak to remove excess ink.

4. Using scrim, kitchen roll, cotton buds, wipe the surface of the plate where you want highlights, light shade and clear patches. 

4. Dry your printing paper

Carefully remove the paper from the container and wipe of the excess water. You want it damp, not wet and glistening.

6. Print your plate 

If using a printing press: 

1. Place your inked Tetrapak plate face up on the press bed.

2. Lay your damp paper on top.

3. Cover with felt and roll through with firm, even pressure.

If hand-printing: 

1. Lay the plate face up on a hard surface.

2. Place your damp paper on top.

3. Use the back of a large metal spoon, rubbing firmly and evenly across the whole surface, especially the edges and corners.

4. Take your time - good pressure = good print.

7. Reveal your print 

Peel the paper back from one corner and lift slowly.

Place the print somewhere flat to dry. Heavy paper may curl slightly; you can press it under books once fully dry (usually after 24 hours).

8. Turn your print into gift tags or labels 

• Cut the print into small rectangles or shapes.

• Punch a hole and add string for gift tags.

• For bottle and jar labels, use spray adhesive or tape to attach onto a clean bottle.

• Add handwritten details: year, flavour, ingredients, date bottled etc.

This technique is simple way into drypoint etching. It takes a bit of practice but remember it’s more about mark-making and pressure than getting everything “right”. Every print will come out slightly different, which, I think, is exactly the point. If you want a perfect print then go get it digitally printed ;)

ENJOYED THIS?

Then you might like to join my mailing list HERE. You’ll automatically become a member of PRINT CLUB which means you get tutorials like this sent to your inbox each month, two complimentary online workshops each year, 30% off selected workshops, exclusive invitations to exhibition previews and studio events, plus a monthly What’s On...newsletter.

I'd love to know if you tried out this tutorial. Add a comment and come find me on Instagram or Facebook