Electro Etch or Galv etch is an innovative and nontoxic way of creating an intaglio etched copper printing plate. The process is relatively simple and has a lot of presence on the web. This year I put together 2 small tanks with power supplies for use at Atelier 6000 (A6) print studio in Bend. The process has become popular and is now used on a regular basis. The first tank was created with a dog biscuit container (with lid) and has 2 copper rods running through the top from which to hang plates: a cathode plate and the anode plate (plate to be etched). The cathode plate receives the copper that is removed from the prepared plate with the image. This process is nontoxic and occurs at a molecular level. It is safe because very low amperage (current) and voltage is used. The hangers are placed approximately 6 cm. apart and the black wire is attached to the cathode plate rod with an alligator clip. The red wire is attached to the rod holding the plate to be etched. The current is set at no higher than 0.5 amps with 1.0 – 2.0 volts maximum. The solution is sustainable – never needs changing unless somehow contaminated, however it will evaporate so the tank should be kept covered. I dissolved 250 grams of copper sulfate crystals to 1 liter of water. It is recommended to stay within 200 – 300 grams/liter. The power supply unit in the above photo cost about $70 and is a variable unit (highly adjustable). This type of unit can be calibrated to stay at a maximum of 0.5 amps, in this case, as a safety precaution. This is done by creating a short circuit and then adjusting the current (amps) and marking the 
setting. I did this with a red marker. This unit is capable of running at 6.0 amps which is dangerously high. I advise anyone to research the unit they are using before attempting to calibrate it. Low amperage and voltage result in a cleaner etch without breaking down the grounds. The new acrylic grounds work well with this system and most of the printmakers at A6 are using the “Big” hard ground. Acrylic floor wax mixed with India ink and spritzed on the plate, works well for creating an aquatint. Cedric Green has a web site that provides a lot of information regarding this process but I found the Nontoxic printmaking site more useful. It is worth it to buy a power unit and build the tanks, etc. Some of the power supply units that people have created on line from batteries are too unpredictable and could possibly be dangerous.
It is possible to use a steel grid as the cathode “receiver” instead of a copper plate. I had scraps of industrial copper on hand and used that for hanging supports and plate hangers. These are attached to the back of the plate with adhesive vinyl shelf paper or packing tape.
This post is meant to serve as an overview or intro to this process. If you would like more information, contact me through this site and I will attempt to help you or provide other resources. 