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The following information is presented here courtesy of The Engravers Journal. More information may be available by visiting the EJ web site (www.engraversjournal.com) and checking out EJ’s archive of articles (1975-present). Key word searches may be performed using the EJ Index of Articles, and most back issues (1975-present) are available.

ETCHING—OVERVIEW

Etching, which is also commonly known as "photoetching" or "acid etching" involves utilizing a substrate material (generally metal) which is coated with a "resist" coating which, when cured by UV light, forms an impermeable coating which resists oxidation by the acid or chemical etchant. Etching then involves placing a film positive in tight contact with the material and exposing it to UV light which cures the resist in exposed image areas, but leaves the resist in a soft, uncured form where no light reached the plate. The plate is then processed by exposing it to the etchant chemical, a process that can be done utilizing a dip tank or a spray etching unit. The final step is to strip away the resist coating the material background.

 

 

A wide range of materials can be etched such as aluminum, brass, stainless steel and glass. Two common techniques involve surface etching and deep etching. Surface etching is often done with a pre-coated substrate such as anodized aluminum, where the anodized layer is etched away. Deep etching allows the etchant to etch more deeply, providing both an incised image which is deep enough to be paint filled (also called "etch and fill").