In 'old' technology the removal of unwanted material by routing away unwanted half-tone dots, now generally refers to applying a clipping path that masks unwanted areas. Digitally, the end is the same, the means a little different.
The etching or removal of any unwanted areas of a plate to create more air or white space on the finished product.
The act of removing a subject from its surroundings or background. Deep etched images are normally placed on a white, shadowless background as commonly seen in catalogues. See clipping paths.
Severe etching of a metallic surface for examination at a magnification of ten diameters or less to reveal gross features such as segregation, cracks, porosity or grain flow.
A chemical testing method applied for the verification of material in-homogeneities (e.g.: segregations, contaminations, ...). With stronger acid impact, the contaminated and therefore easier attackable areas are extracted and thus made visible.
Macroetching; etching for examination at a low (less that 10X) magnification, in a reagent that attacks the metal to a much greater extent than normal for microscopic examination. Gross features may be developed; i.e., abnormal grain size, segregation, cracks, or grain flow.