Photo etching services workshop london UK
Photo etching artwork key:
Full thickness metal = BLACK (RGB 0/0/0)
Half etch into front of metal = RED (RGB 255/0/0)
Half etch into back of metal = 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 as this creates a through etch
Wherever possible:
-Embed fonts and convert fills into paths.
If you are using specialist 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.
Artwork can be emailed to us or sent in any vector format such as an EPS, DWG, CDR, DFX or AI file.
We do accept raster image files such as JPG, TIFF, GIF or BMP but you must make sure that these are at a high enough resolution to avoid visible pixels, as these would come out on the etch.
Artwork scales quite often between software packages so please include a 100mm line or other scaling reference in your artwork file.
METAL & THICKNESS OPTIONS
Whether you are looking for brass, nickel silver or 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 areas: 297×490mm (we recommend an A3/A4 size for speed and economy)
NICKEL SILVER ETCHING:
Available thicknesses: 0.25 and 0.45mm
Maximum etching areas: 297×490mm (we recommend an A3/A4 size for speed and economy)
COPPER ETCHING:
Available thicknesses: 0.3, 0.5 and 1.00mm
Maximum etching area 243×493mm
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 across our range of metal thicknesses:
CONTROLLED ETCHING TECHNIQUE
Iain and his team in our workshop have developed a method for controlling the depth of etching into metal. This allows us to achieve a much higher definition half-etch on thicker metals than would normally be possible as usually over-etching is an intrinsic problem. According to our customers, not all etching companies offer processes quite like this.
This method is more time consuming than regular work so is more costly, but does open up a wider range of solutions, let us know if you think this would be right for your project.
INFILLING ENGRAVED/HALF-ETCHED SURFACES
Infilling is an additional service offered by our workshop and involves adding colour to any half-etched area on a metal etching. This is often required with plaques and name plates.
We can achieve this with our laser engraver (black only) or by stencilling, allowing for any colour that we can source as a premixed paint.
METAL SURFACE QUALITY
The metal etching sheets we used are delivered to us pre-coated and ready to receive the image from your artwork. This means that we cannot see the surface of the material prior to starting work on the job.
The surface may differ from sheet to sheet (particularly with Nickel Silver) and so the surface of a finished job may not be consistent, even from jobs produced within the same batch or order.
The differences occur during the manufacture of the metal and this is not a fault. The main variations that can occur are the reflective quality or brushed finish caused during the process.
Scratches and gouges are not acceptable surface variations and you will not receive work affected by this, please call us to discuss if you would like to discuss this potential issue.
For quotations please email or post us a sketch of your proposed etchings, giving quantities, sizes, material, thickness and any other relevant information.
Example price for Etching:
Example price for an A5 6 thou sheet of etched brass for a collection:
Artwork setup: £21.63
A5 Filmwork: £40.43
A5 etched brass - 6 THOU thick: £29.93
Collection: £0
VAT: £18.39
TOTAL: £110.38