Sugar lift etching is a long process by which cooked sugar (like caramel) is used as paint on a copper plate. Once the caramel dries, it is coated with a "stopping" layer. Once dry, the copper plate is placed underwater for a day or two. The sugar melts, the "stopping" layer is lifted, and lines are revealed. The plate is now ready to be immersed in the etching acid. Once etched with the sugar lines, aquatint may be introduced to create gray areas. The plate is now ready for printing. An oil-based printing paint is pushed into the lines, in this case - black, and excess is cleaned off. The plate is now ready to run in the printing press.

The element of surprise in inherent to the printmaking process.