Copperplate engravings are a printmaking technique where images or text are incised onto a metal plate, typically made of copper. The artist uses a burin, a sharp tool, to carve fine lines into the surface. Once the design is complete, ink is applied to the plate, filling the incised lines, and then the plate is pressed onto paper to create a print. This method allows for intricate details and smooth lines, making it popular for illustrations in books and art prints during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Copperplate engravings are valued for their precision and the unique quality of the prints they produce.