Preparation of Copper Plate for Intaglio

Materials:

Degrease plate with electric palm sander 320 grit sandpaper (wet or dry). Wet has less dust, could use dust mask
Keep bucket of water at sanding station and use the paper wet.Sand plate until the copper has an even sheen. It is not necessary to remove all of the sanding marks.
If you want less plate tone, use 600 grit sandpaper after the first sanding with 320 grit.
The whole surface needs to be sanded. Sand edges to make sure the edges cannot cut you or the press blankets.
After sanding the plate, wipe off the dust with a clean rag.
Do not get fingerprints on the plate
The metal (preferably roofing copper) plate is thoroughly sanded with an electric finishing sander and 320 grit wet-and-dry sandpaper and the sanding residue removed with a clean rag.

Stop-out the back with packing tape or contact paper
if you first apply Future then you can etch both sides of the plate
When the plate is dry, cover the back with contact paper to prevent the ferric chloride from biting the back of the plate. (Packing tape can be used to protect the back but contact paper is preferred so you can proof your plate without fear of embossing the plate.

Rinse with cool
Rinse in salt/ vinegar solution .(3 T salt to 1 cup vinegar)
(copper oxidizes - in the ferric chloride and needs to be cleaned
Rinse with water
Blot dry on clean newsprint and then dry with hair dryer