The plates do not last. Each run through the press will squash the plate a little flatter so it is usual to only produce a limited edition of around 30-40 images. Then the plate must either be re-etched or the edition halted.

In this modern age etching can be seen as a bygone art. However, the handmade images can be very beautiful and owners can always then use the time-honoured quote: "Would you like to come up and see my etchings?"!