PHOTO ETCHING

The photo etching process allows us to transfer your drawings onto sheets of metal: brass, nickel silver or copper. Contact Iain to discuss your project artwork@modelshop.co.uk / 020 7264 1295

 

• The Photo Etching Process
• Photo Etching on Brass, Copper & Nickel Silver Metal options
• Photo Etching Artwork Preparation
• Photo Etching Price Guide
• Controlled Photo Etching Technique
• In-Filling Engraved Surfaces
• Photo Etching Gallery
• Contact Information & Workshop Opening Hours

 

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THE PROCESS

All our metal etching is undertaken on-site from our London workshop. We pride ourselves on producing the highest quality photoetched sheets available.

• The photoetching process involves making a transparency (phototool) of your artwork.
• The phototool is used to imprint your artwork onto a special coating on both sides of the metal sheet.
• The metal sheet is then etched equally from either side. This allows us to either etch all the way through (full etch) or just from one side (half etch).
• We can achieve an amazing degree of detail & have etched parts for high end jewellers, horologists, luthiers, designers & architectural model makers.
• Half etching is typically used to show architectural detailing on an elevation, for instance brickwork, fold lines for 3D construction or can be used to create sunken letters for name plates and awards.

 

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METAL & THICKNESS OPTIONS

Whether you are looking for photo etching on brass, nickel silver etching or photo etching on copper, we have a range of sheet thicknesses available:

BRASS ETCHING

Available thicknesses: 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.38, 0.45, 0.7 and 0.9mm
Maximum etching area: 297 x 490mm (we recommended an A3/A4 size for speed and economy).

NICKEL SILVER ETCHING

Available thicknesses: 0.25 and 0.45mm
Maximum etching area: 297 x 490mm (we recommended an A3/A4 size for speed and economy).

COPPER ETCHING

Available thicknesses: 0.3mm, 0.5mm and 1.0mm
Maximum etching area: 243 x 493mm.

Finer detailing can be achieved with thinner thicknesses of metal. The chart below shows the minimum line width and minimum gaps between those lines that can be etched with the range of metal thicknesses:

E.g. For 0.25mm brass sheet, the minimum line width is 0.30mm and the minimum spacing between those lines is 0.35mm.

 

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ARTWORK PREPARATION

We can provide a full photoetching artwork service if you prefer. If you are providing us with your own artwork, please follow these guidelines:

Photoetching artwork key:

• Metal = Black (RGB 0/0/0)
• Half etch into front of metal = Red (RGB 255/0/0)
• Half etch into back of metal (text reversed) = Cyan (RGB 0/255/255)
• Through etch = White (RGB 0/0/0)

PLEASE NOTE: Red (front etch) and cyan (back etch) must not touch or cross over each other.

Wherever possible:

• Embed fonts and convert to paths.
• If you are using special fonts, include the font suitcase with your order.
• It is useful to include notes with your artwork indicating any relevant information such as: final size, colour, whether you are repeating an image etc.

Please Provide:

• Artwork can be e-mailed to us or sent in any windows format, ideally as an EPS, DWG, CDR, DFX or Ai file.
• We do accept image files such as JPG, TIFF, GIF, BMP but you must make sure that these images are at a resolution that makes them crisp (i.e. 300dpi for JPG).
• MAC users should save artwork as an EPS, AI, freehand or Photoshop files.
• Please include a 100mm reference line next to the artwork, a scale in various formats can be downloaded here:

It is advised that final artwork should be attempted only after discussion with us first.

 

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PHOTO ETCHING PRICE GUIDE

Please note you will be charged for Artwork set up + the Phototool (one off charge) + the metal sheet price shown below (these prices do not include VAT):

COST EXAMPLE FOR AN A5 METAL ETCHING

Artwork setup - £20.00
A5 filmwork (2 part) - £37.40
A5 0.2mm (10thou) etched brass - £26.90

Total = £84.30 +VAT

 

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CONTROLLED PHOTO ETCHING TECHNIQUE

Iain and his team in our Photo Etching Workshop have developed a way of controlling the depth of photo etching on metal.

This means we can achieve a much higher definition even on the thicker gauges of metal, where over etching is an intrinsic problem.

The left & top is a traditional etching on 0.90mm brass whilst the right & bottom is an etching using the new Controlled Etching Technique. This level of definition was only achievable on the thinnest of metals before.

We can also produce etchings without the need for tabbing, especially useful for small and intricate elements.

 

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IN-FILLING ENGRAVED SURFACES

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Infilling is an additional service offered by our workshop. Infilling is where we colour any half etched area on the metal etching. This is often required with name plates.

We have developed several methods of in-filling and marking surfaces: by laser (black only), with enamel paint, with resin or with spraypaint. More details on our In-Filling page.

This means we can offer you the best solution suited to your individual project, whether it be for quality, scale, turnaround or economy.

 

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METAL SURFACE QUALITY

The metal etching sheets are delivered to us pre-coated ready to receive the image from your artwork. This means we cannot see the surface of the metal. The surface of the metal may differ from sheet to sheet (this is particularly the case with nickel silver) and so the surface of the finished work may not be consistent, even with different sheets produced at the same time. The differences occur during the manufacture of the metal and this is not a fault.The main variations which occur are the reflective quality and marks created by the brushes used during the metal manufacture.

We can do work again - this is chargeable - although, unfortunately, the result may be the same because we can't see the surface until the work is finished.

Scratches and gouges are not acceptable surface variations and you will not receive work affected by these. Please call us if you would like to discuss this potential issue.

For quotation for total cost of the etching please email, fax or post us a sketch of your proposed etchings giving quantities, sizes, material, thickness and any other information that is relevant.

 

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PHOTO ETCHING GALLERY

 

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