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In printmaking, a mordant is a chemical used to etch designs into a metal plate. A specific type, known as a Dutch mordant, is composed of hydrochloric acid and potassium chlorate and is particularly effective for etching copper plates, allowing for delicate and controlled lines. This process is part of intaglio printing, where the design is created in grooves or incisions on the plate's surface. The mordant bites into the metal, creating the areas that will hold ink for printing.123

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