The process of using a sharp tool to incise clean, tapered lines into a metal plate, traditionally made of copper. A range of line widths is possible depending on the size of the tool used, making delicate tonalities and shading possible. The incised lines hold the ink when the image is pressed.

A wood engraving is a form of woodcut similar to a copperplate engraving, where a woodblock is incised and used as the basis for a print. The lines are rigid, tapered at the ends, and vary in thickness and length to create tone and texture. Wood engravings are printed in relief: the ink is rolled onto the surface, so the incised lines remain white. Woodblocks are one of the earliest methods of printing, dating back to eighth century China. Multiple blocks can be cut for different colours to be printed.