Acid etching

*finished artwork, e-mailed to us can usually be returned within 48 hours

Our acid etching service will turn your drawings or sketches from black & white images into frets of brass or nickel silver.

The 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).

An amazing degree of detail can be achieved through this process, so any fine architectural detailing can be accurately replicated.

Half etching is typically used to show architectural detailing on an elevation, for instance brickwork, fold lines for 3D construction or it can be used to create sunken letters for name plates and awards.

In-filling service - traditional

Infilling is an additional service offered by our Acid Etching Department.

Infilling is where we colour any half etched areas with ink. This is often required with name plates.

Traditionally infilling has been done has been by hand using pen and ink.

In-filling service - laser in-filling

We have developed a quicker, more cost effective way of in-filling.

Using a special coating that is applied to the metal surface, our laser can selectively burn the coat into the half etched areas, leaving a matte black finish on the metallic base.

As well infilling half etched areas, we can also accurately transfer artwork onto the surface of any metal surface.

The process leaves the artwork “printed” onto the metal in high visibility matte black.

If you would like to receive a quote, or if would like to talk about a potential project, contact the laser department on 020 7264 1295 or at artwork@modelshop.co.uk

Acceptable file formats

Acceptable file formats

• Artwork can be e-mailed to us or sent on disc 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.

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.

If you do not wish to prepare your artwork, we do offer an artwork preparation service at a cost of £48.00/hour.

E-mailed artwork will incur a cost of £16.00 for downloading & preparation. Please include a 100mm reference line next to the artwork, a line in various formats can be downloaded here:

	100mm scale.dwg		100mm scale.cdr
	100mm scale.dxf		100mm scale.ai

Artwork Preparation

One file with front and back detailing on separate layers; BLACK is still solid metal WHITE on both layers is full etch WHITE on front layer is half etch on front of metal WHITE on back layer is half etch on back of metal

Text to be on the back of the metal should be reversed as in the example. When the photo tool is assembled ready for exposure, the back text will be right-reading.

Once etched, this plaque will have text half etched onto both sides of the metal with screw holes in each corner.

Please Note: Artwork supplied in the old format using red and cyan will be subject to a £12.00 conversion charge.

We can accept hard copy artwork which is also subject to a conversion charge, the value of which will be confirmed when we quote for the work.

Metal & thickness options

We can etch in brass, nickel and phosphor bronze in the range of thickness' below. A maximum etching area of  500 x 297mm is possible, although we recommended an A3/A4 size for speed and economy.

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 10 thou brass the minimum line width is 12 thou (0.30mm) and the minimum spacing between those lines is 14 thou (0.35mm).

Price Guide

Please note you will be charged for the Phototool (one off charge) + the metal sheet charge.

All prices are ex VAT.

Artwork preparation
artwork set up (20 mins)	£16.00
Computer drawn artwork per hour	£48.00
Hand drawn artwork per hour	£48.00
A5 phototool (filmwork)	£32.00
A4 phototool (filmwork)	£48.00
A3 phototool (filmwork)	£72.00
Standing film charge	£16.00
Outsize filmwork maximum size 500 x 297mm	£118.00
Additional exposures	£8.00
A5 Brass etched sheets
5 - 10 thou brass	£17.65
12 thou brass	£19.50
15 thou brass	£21.90
18 thou brass	£22.05
28 thou brass	£31.10
36 thou brass	£35.05
A4 Brass etched sheets
5 - 10 thou brass	£33.50
12 thou brass	£37.00
15 thou brass	£41.50
18 thou brass	£47.50
28 thou brass	£59.00
36 thou brass	£66.50
A5 Nickel Silver etched sheets
10 thou nickel silver	£21.90
18 thou nickel silver	£34.00
A4 Nickel Silver etched sheets
10 thou nickel silver	£41.50
18 thou nickel silver	£64.50

A3 Brass etched sheets
5 - 10 thou brass	£63.50
12 thou brass	£70.00
15 thou brass	£79.00
18 thou brass	£91.50
28 thou brass	£115.00
36 thou brass	£129.50
A3 Nickel Silver etched sheets
6 thou nickel silver	£79.00
10 thou nickel silver	£79.00
18 thou nickel silver	£125.00

 

Please note you will be charged for the Phototool (one off charge) + the metal sheet charge.

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

Metal surface quality

The metal used for etching is 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 nickle 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.

For more details, please call 020 7264 1295 or  email us.

download a guide to etching (1.3Mb .pdf)