what options do i have when etching brass?

[Rodney Gold]

You cant really do a fade into brass , well you could etch half tones and try to fill the dots , but that would be a nightmarish task.
Are you going to do your own etching? (I think I did a thingy here on how to etch at home)
You could etch and then use the edge to print the graphic , insert it into the etched section and either overlam with clear before cutting or print and pour some clear resin into the etched/printed section so it looks like enameling.
Alternatively , you could cut another shaped piece of brass , about 5mm bigger all round than the graphic , apply the graphic and dome it (if its big , doming will be a problem)
Problem with brass is cleaning , thats why you would have to do something to protect the digital graphic.
If I saw the layouts , it would be easier for me to suggest something

[Lorraine Buchan]

Rodney,

I had thought after about insering the print into the engraved area.

I would be getting it engraved outside i think, although i’ll go see if i can re-read you post on etching.

What sort of resin would i need? the same stuff used or doming?
Would this effect the print from the gerber at all?

I think that would give me the required finnish.

[Rodney Gold]

Nah , the resins wont affect the gerber print , same stuff as doming will do , the thermal print on the gerber is the same as the roland and we have never had problems , if you are worried , stick some clear vinyl over and then dome , you wont see it.
I think you would most likely do best in terms of subbing out the etching , trying to do a 700 x 500 as a “trial” can be costly 🙂

[Lorraine Buchan]

I’ve just re-read the etching post, I don’t think i’ll give it a go the panels are a bit too big for me to try it out i think.

I have requested some prices so we’ll see.

Would it be better to have them etched or engraved if i’m going to put and edge print in them and then apply the resin?

[Rodney Gold]

An etch finish is always better than engraving , the bottom surface of the eaten away areas are very smooth and the lettering , especially small stuff comes out VERY crisp , the problem with engraving is that to take away large areas , you need to “hog out” lots of metal and that leaves a sort of machining mark in those surfaces , the other problem is that square corners of square letters are never square due to the cutter radius. If you have complex artwork , etching is ALWAYS better.

[Lorraine Buchan]

Ok Etching it is, Not going to attempt this myself so does anyone have a contact for acid etching??

[Fizgig]

Hi Lorraine,

How did you end up with this job ? would love to know the outcome

[Dan Finn]

Try Multitechnic Ltd, did some great work for us with clour fade fill and gold leaf on same job. 01670 512090 http://www.multitechnic.co.uk

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