Relief etching is a printmaking technique where an image is created by carving away parts of a surface, typically a metal plate or a block of wood. The raised areas that remain after carving hold ink, while the recessed areas do not. When the plate is pressed onto paper, the inked raised surfaces transfer the image, resulting in a print. This method is often associated with artists like Albrecht Dürer and is used to produce detailed images. Relief etching can be combined with other techniques, such as linocut or woodcut, to create unique textures and effects in printed artwork.