Drafting Techniques, Continued
Erasing in ink
Many people erroneously conclude that ink lines are not erasable. However,
an erasure is negligibly visable if you erase ink carefully. For the best result
in erasing an ink error, place a smooth hard surface under the error before
you erase. Use an electric eraser with a medium-hard eraser bit (these are
generally pink in color) and rotate the eraser in a circular motion over the
affected area. Brush away any eraser particles.
If an ink blot occurs, soak up the excess ink with your tissue or another scrap
of paper. This prevents the ink from seeping into the paper fibers. Allow
the ink blot to dry thoroughly before erasing.
After erasure, gaps may appear in lines that require filling or touching up.
Use a pen with a smaller diameter than the initial ink line to build
consecutive strokes to the correct line width. Trying to match pen diameters
to the thicker width is difficult and may incur additional erasures.
Excessive erasing may cause a weakening or hole in the paper. If this
occurs, cut out the affected area with a sharp blade and patch in paper of the
same type. Use translucent or transparent matt-surfaced adhesive tape to
secure the patch in place from the reverse side of the paper. Ink carefully
around the patch because blots and seepage is more likely to occur where
paper fibers are cut.
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