Buy Etching Supplies Online in Isle of Man – Artist Tools, Inks, Kits & More
Etching is more than just a printmaking technique. It's a timeless form of artistic expression that blends skill, patience, and precision. Whether you're just starting or are a professional looking to enhance your toolkit, Ubuy Isle of Man offers a vast range of high-quality etching supplies to meet your creative needs.
Explore our selection of artist etching tools, etching kits online, and materials from globally trusted brands like Speedball, Gamblin, and many more. From intricate line work to rich tonal depth, our products help you bring your imagination to life as art. We offer cross-border shipping, making it easy to access premium-grade metal etching supplies from anywhere in the world.
Explore Different Types of Etching Supplies
From the first sketch on metal to the final print, here’s everything you need for a smooth etching workflow. Here, we combine quality, reliability, and global variety to bring you the finest etching tools for artists. Whether you're looking for etching supplies online for school, studio, or home use, we've got everything, from drypoint etching kits to high-quality etching plates and artist etching tools.
With secure checkout, responsive customer support, and easy access to top brands, your printmaking journey starts and grows with Ubuy. We’ve broken down the top categories to help you understand the role of each product.
Etching Plate
The foundation of any print, etching plates, is where your artwork begins. Choose from copper etching plates or zinc options for different effects. The majority of printmaking professionals prefer the Charbonnel Polished Copper Plates because they excel in finish and durability. They provide a fine-grain surface ideal for biting and detailed engraving.
Etching Needles & Drypoints
Precision starts here. Etching needles are used to draw directly upon the plate coated with ground. Soft lines and expressive textures are ideally provided in drypoint etching kits. The Speedball Drypoint Tool Set provides a comfortable grip and consistent marks, making it an ideal choice for beginners.
Roulettes
Roulettes create effects of shading and texture for precise, detailed tonal values in your art. These small rotary wheels are available in various patterns. R&F Handmade Roulettes distribute dots evenly, making them a good choice for subtle gradients. One Reddit user shared their experience:
“The roulette was much faster for me. I drew a grid, maybe 1"x1" with sharpie on the copper plate, then moved across each square vertically and horizontally several dozen times. Eventually it filled in! The roulette easily darkened areas I over-burnished, also.”
Source: r/printmaking (Reddit)
Another chimed in with a similar interest:
“Thank you for the info! I want to get either a mezzotint rocker or a roulette. Im using a craft die press so Im also trying to figure out if the mezzotint (or roulette) would work well with that.”
Source: r/printmaking (Reddit)
Whether you’re a printmaker refining plates or an illustrator exploring new textures, a roulette can be an essential addition to your toolset.
Mezzotint Rockers
Mezzotint Rockers are used to achieve deep, velvety blacks by roughening the plate, which holds the ink in textured areas. Gamblin Stainless Steel Mezzotint Rockers are professional-quality tools that apply even coverage to atmospheric and painterly effects.
Scrapers & Burnishers
Shape light and shadow by refining areas of your plate. Use scrapers to lighten parts by removing burr and burnishers to smooth out lines. Give the Speedball Dual-End Scraper & Burnisher a try. One tool offers convenience and professional-quality results.
Engraving Tools
For direct incisions and precise control, use burins and gravers to engrave clean lines. R&F Handmade Gravers are designed for extended use, imparting balance and sharpness for intricate metalwork.
Etching Ground
Before you draw, apply etching ground, a resist that protects unexposed parts of the plate. Depending on your working technique, opt for hard, soft, or liquid grounds. Charbonnel Hard Black Ground is always the choice for excellent resistance with clear lines throughout the etching process.
Ink
The quality of your ink determines the clarity and texture of your prints. One ink highly preferred by professionals is Gamblin Etching Ink- Portland Black. It is richly pigmented, yields an anti-blocking agent whose surface aids in smooth and easy application, and offers the very best level of coverage. If you're exploring different surfaces, take note of what fellow printmakers are using. As one user on Reddit pointed out:
“Charbonnel for paper, Marabu for fabric”
Source: r/linocut (Reddit)
Whether you’re working with copper plates or experimenting with fabric printing, high-quality inks like Gamblin or Charbonnel ensure your artwork looks professional, clean, and built to last.
Transfer Paper
For perfect composition, transfer paper is used to trace your designs before etching. It maintains accuracy, especially when working from preliminary sketches.
Tissue Paper
Handle delicate prints or clean your plates with tissue paper explicitly designed for etching. It prevents smudging and keeps details sharp between impressions.
Chemical Resistant Trays
When working with acids, safety is key. Our chemical-resistant trays are designed for use with etchants like ferric chloride, offering long-lasting durability and spill protection.
Etchants
To bite into the metal, you’ll need quality etchants such as ferric chloride for copper or nitric acid for zinc. Use with extreme care and always follow safety guidelines. We offer the necessary etching accessories for safe handling.
Inking Slab
For proper ink distribution, a solid inking slab is essential. These slabs help roll the ink evenly before applying it to the etched plate, reducing waste and ensuring crisp results.
Safety Equipment
Working in a company with hazardous materials and sharp edges requires the use of proper safety equipment. We provide gloves, aprons, goggles, and other essential items to ensure your work area is both efficient and safe.
Razor Blades
It may be debatable that smaller tools are the most vital ones. Fine details are corrected, and plates are cleaned with razor blades without harming the surface.
Goose Feathers
Indeed, even goose feathers have their roles to play in etching! They are best for applying or removing tiny quantities of ground, thus affording a marvellous chance for delicate work.
Ink Spreaders
Even the application of ink demands some attention for the sake of uniform printing. Ink spreaders help map the ink smoothly onto the plate, increasing the likelihood of transfer and reducing the possibility of blotting.
Top Picks
Here are some highly recommended items from our etching accessories and etching material collections. Each one is handpicked to offer quality, performance, and great value:
| Product Name | Category | Best For | Brand |
| Speedball Screen Filler, 8-Ounce | Etching Ground | Creating stencils for screen printing | Speedball |
| R&F Handmade Paints Oil Pigment Stick - 38ml | Etching Ground | Applying colour directly to surfaces | R&F Handmade Paints |
| Gamblin Etching Ink - Carbon Black - 1LB | Ink | Etching, drypoint, aquatint, mezzotint, engraving | Gamblin |
| Charbonnel Etching Ink - 60ml - Permanent Green Lake | Ink | Creating bold and long-lasting prints | Charbonnel |
| Lefranc Bourgeois Charbonnel Professional Etching Additive - Lamour Liquid Ground - 75ml | Etching Ground | Preparing plates for etching | Charbonnel |
| Gamblin Transparent Base for Etching Ink - 1 lb | Ink Additive | Increasing transparency of ink colours | Gamblin |
| Armour Etch Glass Etching Cream - 22 oz | Etchant | Creating permanent etched designs on glass | Armour Etch |
| Etchall Etching Cream | Etchant | Etching glass, metal, and other surfaces | Etchall |
